Blog
Two:
Date: 23/08/12
Today, some of the children were playing
outside in the sand pit and I was taking photos of them. Child D came up to me
and asked me if she can take some photos of her friend. I gave her the camera
and I asked her “do you know how a camera works” and she said “yes”. Then I
asked her how does she know how to use it and she said that her mummy told her
how to use it. I was happy to let child D explore with my camera because I wanted
her to build her learning based on her interest. “Children develop enhanced
learning opportunities through the meaningful use of ICT” (Ministry of
Education, 1997, p.2).
Child D went up to her friend, turned the
camera on and pressed the button on the top to take a photo. I was surprised by
child D because I never thought that a young child would be able to use a
camera properly. Child D was confident to hold the camera and take pictures of
her friends. “In technology, students learn to be innovative developers of
products and systems and discerning consumers who will make a difference in the
world” (Ministry of Education, 2007). Today I got to know what children are
capable of doing by using technology.
At my centre, the teachers use our centre
camera to capture children’s learning, development and teachable moments but
teachers do not allow children to use the camera. I took my camera to the
centre today and child D was very curious about the camera. Sue Smorti
discusses about the “process approach to technology, it is the doing that is
important, rather than the product” (1999, p.6). I thought of supervising her
while she uses the camera but she was very competent and she was having fun
while taking the photos. Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer (2008) discusses
the benefits of having the view that children are competent users of technology
who are active agents in their own learning (p.13). I
think that child D had the exposure of using a camera at home which has build
up her confidence. “Graphics and other forms of visual representation offer
important tools for exploration and communication” (Ministry of Education,
2007).
I thought of writing a
learning story on D’s photography experience and I downloaded the photos which
child D took on my centre’s computer so that the children can view them and
recognise their photos. When children look at their photos on the power point
they develop their visual, language and cognitive skills by recalling the past
events. When the children were looking
at their photos on the power point I asked them questions such as “what are you
doing with your friend in the picture?” By asking open ended questions children
recall their past events which I believe will assist them with problem solving
and information processing (Mac Naughton & Williams, 2004). I think that it
is important for the teachers to ask questions about the photos which the
children look at on the slide show to help them develop their metacognitive thinking.
As an educator, I believe that children are capable and confident learners. I also believe that if we foster children’s learning through using ICT we can help them develop their cognitive skills which will be beneficial for their problem solving skills, expressing their ideas and processing information. I would like to build on the children’s interest towards technology. I would like to start recording videos of the children’s learning so that they can recognise themselves through video clips. Children build a sense of identity through their exploration and we as educators should support their curiosity in every way we can. I think that if we provide guidance and supervision to the children while they use technology such as camera, computer, ipad they can become competent and confident learners of ICT.
As an educator, I believe that children are capable and confident learners. I also believe that if we foster children’s learning through using ICT we can help them develop their cognitive skills which will be beneficial for their problem solving skills, expressing their ideas and processing information. I would like to build on the children’s interest towards technology. I would like to start recording videos of the children’s learning so that they can recognise themselves through video clips. Children build a sense of identity through their exploration and we as educators should support their curiosity in every way we can. I think that if we provide guidance and supervision to the children while they use technology such as camera, computer, ipad they can become competent and confident learners of ICT.
Reference List:
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2008). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (4th ed.). Victoria, Australia: CENGAGE Learning.
Macnaughton, G. Williams, G. (2004). (Techniques for teaching young children:
Choices in the theory and practice). New South Wales, Australia: Pearson
Prentice Hall.
Ministry of Education.
(2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand:
Learning Media.
Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999.
Hey! Firstly I thank you for respecting the child wishes to use the camera which often time children’s wishes and for extending her learning by the use of this digital technology. I was touch when you mention how this experience was an opening eye for you. I have to admit I’m the same, one time this girl it got stuck at using the computer and this 4yr old showed me where to click that was so embarrassing for me. Hahaha. I guess the uniqueness of our experience make us realize that learning is an on going process. In this approach, I can see its not only you have learn yourself but the children have hugely gain lots of skills by getting them involved.
ReplyDeleteIts good that you use the camera to capture childrens play. I also like the way you responded to children when they asked about the camera, its also good to see that you asked the children questions about the camera to develop their thinking and start conversations. It is really good that you also got a respond from the child because you know and the child will feel like you are listening to them and you are also showing some interest. I really admire the way you provided your own camera for the children to explore because cameras are expensive but you gave the child the chance to show you that they know how to fuction one, this can also have the child teach other children in the centre how to use it. Lastly, i also like that you have documented their experience that others as well as the child can reflect back on.
ReplyDelete01/09/12
ReplyDeleteA child is interest in your camera, and you noticed that she wants to take photos of her friends. I really like how you observed children’s interest in your centre and how you responded to them. Staff might not see the other side of giving children the opportunity of leading their own learning by taking photos of themselves and their friends involved in activities. I believe that we educators need to allow children to use cameras in the centre so that they can take control of their own learning as well as leading their own learning.
I also like the idea of you writing a learning story about how this little girl uses your camera to take photos of her friends learning. Good idea Monisha. Furthermore the children were able to recall their learning activities; recalling develops their memories and was also confidence with answering the teacher’s questions. I agree that the more we foster children’s learning about technology the more curiosity they become about using technology. Kapai.
Kia ora Monisha
ReplyDeleteI loved how you asked child D if she knew how to use the camera, it is always good to ask questions to get them to recall their steps; I also enjoyed reading how you gave her the opportunity to use your personal camera so that she could build on her interest with taking photos of her friend. It is surprising to see our young children learn things so fast; it personally took me a long while to use a camera because these things keep upgrading. It is disappointing to hear that staffs don’t let children use their cameras because this is a big learning opportunity for them and the children, but as mentioned before it was good to read that you let the child use your camera. It’s also good to read that you are going to continue this and build on the children’s interest; I hope you do so and also I hope you give other children the opportunity to explore with the camera also. Tumeke!!!