4-year-old IT Experts
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| Children are using computers in different ways in my center. |
When I came to my centre this morning, I saw three children playing at our computer lab (corner). On one computer, a boy A. concentrated on listening to the three-little-piglets story. On the other computer, a boy F. was busy exploring and trying different fun effects of the webcam and a girl N. stood next to him observing. N. also expressed her ideas and gave suggestions to F. sometimes. From time to time, I overheard a few giggles and person-to-person conversations: )
It is said that “used effectively ICT has the potential to bring about improvements in educational outcomes for all 21st century learners” (Ministry of Education, 2008, p.1). I believe information and communication technology (ICT) provides children with a new learning style. Apart from practicing their fine motors skills and eye-hand coordination skills through using computers, Boy A. also developed “experiences with some of the technology for reading” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.78). Besides, some children are visual learners and some are auditory learners, so I believe that using computers promoted A.’s pleasure in language and literacy learning and also motivated his engagement in learning (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005). Moreover, A. will gradually “develop an expectation that he takes responsibility for his own learning” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 84).
Technology encourages co-operative and reciprocal learning experience (MacNaughton & Williams, 2004). F. and N. communicated and exchanged opinions naturally in that experience with the computer. It provided an opportunity for them to learn alongside with each other. Obviously, integration of using the computer with their learning improved N. and F.’s communication skills and social competence. When trying out various webcam effects, they developed their symbolic representation concepts as well as individuation. When N. and F. saw their funny images after using the webcam effects, they dissolved into giggles. It was a joyful experience for them to explore the new technology together. It promoted their well-beings. It also fostered their confidence and positive attitudes towards this leading edge technology.
Furthermore, I believe gaining ICT skills through playing with the computer also helps A., F., and N. build a foundation for their future learning and helps them with transitions to primary schools. The New Zealand Curriculum specifies eight learning areas including technology and it reiterates this expectation “This new stage [transition from early childhood to school] in children’s learning builds upon and makes connections with early childhood learning and experiences” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p. 41).
However, just as everything has two sides, integrating computers with learning and teaching also has some drawbacks, e.g., safety and ethical issues with using internet, potential health issue: obesity. That is why we use it as a facilitating tool or supplement in teaching and learning. It is us educarers responsibility to keep our knowledge up to date and teach children the appropriate and safe way to use the computers and the internet.
Overall, I believe the computer is a beneficial resource for children’s learning and development. In my opinion, children need computer technology as life-long learners and to adapt to the digital age and the knowledge society (Ministry of Education, 2008).
References
Google. (n.d.). Image. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.nz/search?num=10&hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1280&bih=622&q=computer+lab&oq=computer+lab&gs_l=img.3..0l10.3088.9800.0.10014.15.14.0.1.1.0.237.1139.1j0j5.6.0...0.0...1ac.VPhrDrDBKtQ#hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=preschool+computer+lab&oq=preschool+computer+lab&gs_l=img.3...2829.4811.0.5020.9.9.0.0.0.6.261.1890.2-8.8.0...0.0...1c.e_KnKKgHW-A&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&fp=62f912a2633bada3&biw=1280&bih=622
MacNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2004). Techniques for teaching young children: Choices in theory and practice (2nd ed.). Frenchs Forrest, Australia: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo ngā mokopuna ö Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum: For English-Medium teaching and learning in years 1-13. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2008). Review of Schools' Operational Funding: ICT Resourcing Framework - Final Report. Retrieved from http://www.minedu.govt.nz/NZEducation/EducationPolicies/Schools/Initiatives/ICTInSchools/ReviewOfSchoolsOperationalFunding.aspx
Ministry of Education. (2010). A lens focused on the symbol systems and technologies for making meaning
He tirohanga ki ngā tohu whakahaere me ngā momo hangarau hei whakamārama atu. Retrieved from http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/learning/curriculumAndLearning/Assessmentforlearning/KeiTuaotePae/Book20/ALensFocusedOnTheSymbolSystemsAndTechnologies.aspx
He tirohanga ki ngā tohu whakahaere me ngā momo hangarau hei whakamārama atu. Retrieved from http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/learning/curriculumAndLearning/Assessmentforlearning/KeiTuaotePae/Book20/ALensFocusedOnTheSymbolSystemsAndTechnologies.aspx
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Southbank, Victoria, Australia: Thompson Social Science Press.
Kate, this blog is great. It is full of lots of information about technology and using computers in early childhood education. I agree that there is a need for children to have different experiences with computers. I am glad that your centre has the resources to support this. You are very lucky to be there.
ReplyDeleteI personally know that computers are very helpful, but have never taken the time to consider the many different things children are learning from using them. I must admit that when I do think about what children are learning I tend to think about things that relate to technology. For example, they are learning to recognise letters when they type their name into the game. Thankyou for opening my eyes to the many different things children can learn.
I am glad that you talked about some of the ‘negative’ or potential risks of children using technology in centres, because these risks do exist, and we need to know about them so we keep our children safe. I feel that this could have been talked about a bit more.
keep up the great work!
Tumeke Kate,
ReplyDeleteYou have written a very informative post on children's learning through the use of computers and technology. I think you have successfully covered a wide range of significant learning benefits, that take place when children use computers.
I particularly liked how you mentioned about how computers cater for different learning styles such as visual and auditory. This is very true and a comment that has got me thinking about how effective computers are for the range of different children that we have in early childhood centres. To add to that, I also believe that computers cater for kinestheic learners as computers are very "hands on". All children generally learn so much from doing and I see how computers are beneficial for all learning styles- and usually we are a mixture of all of them anyway.
It is also really great how you have recognised the social competence that children gain as they explore computers and learn alongside each other. I like how the two computers are beside each other which would add to the facilitation of this interaction.
As far as the drawbacks to children using computers, it is really good to be aware of these- and it is great that you acknowledge the balance between this and other experiences within the centre. Although you could have expanded on this, I personally don’t think it is really necessary, as the focus on your post was on the benefits on technology not on keeping children safe.
Great work Kate:)
Hi Kate
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your post and the information on the benefits of using computers that you have given is awesome. I also think that the children at your centre are so lucky to have a rich ICT environment. Most centres are not that lucky.
You described the scene of the three children enjoying themselves while playing with computers. I also think that technology helps children learn along side each other as well as together.
You also mentioned that computer skills or knowledge builds a foundation for Children's future learning and helps them with transitions to primary schools. I think you are right in the sense that when children reach primary school, computers or ICT in general, becomes part of their daily classroom learning tool.
You have also talked about the adverse effects of children using computers, which I think is equally important for children to be aware of and it will be a great opportunity to talk to children about this while they are using the ICT devices.
Ka pai.