Final Reflection

At the beginning when I started writing my blog I did not have much knowledge about technology in early childhood. By reading the blogs of my group members I have realised that technology plays a vital role amongst children and technology encompasses more than we think it does. By reading the blogs, I have also realised how dependent we are on technology.

When I was young I always saw adults using a camera and they always told us not to touch it. I started thinking that only adults were allowed to use a camera. I was brought up in Fiji and I never used any kind of technology because I did not have the exposure to technology and I found it really hard to cope with technology when I came to New Zealand. I had to take on a computer course to learn how to use a computer and it was challenging for me at that time. I got to know that it is important for parents to support children’s learning towards technology because children learn faster when they are young and they become more confident and competent towards technology later in life.

The best part of my blogging journey was that I got an opportunity to reflect on my teaching practice and I also got to know other people’s views as well as how they impact on my teaching. I feel that I have extended my learning towards technology and I got to know about different kinds of non digital experiences as well which I was not aware of before I started blogging. I liked the way my group members shared their ideas, teaching practice, their way of planning and implementing. I think that sharing our ideas and views is very important for continual growth and it also challenges our thinking. Smorti (1999) states that “if educators are to scaffold children’s learning we need to broaden our understanding of technology and aspire to extend our own knowledge” (p.5).

This assignment has really motivated me to keep on supporting children’s technology in every way that I can. I have had discussions with the teachers at my centre whether technology is a good or a bad thing amongst children. I wrote down the negatives and the positives on a piece of paper. I had more positives than negatives so I realised that I felt positive about providing technology experiences to the children in my centre. I like to embrace experiences which can extend children’s thinking. Ellis & Van Scoter (2001) state that “the critical factor is a balanced approach to technology in learning with thoughtful planning to provide for the important needs of childhood” (p5). At my centre, child D has always showed interest towards technology so her mum thought of buying her an I-pad on which she can draw and learn her alphabets. Recently her mum told me that child D has become so confident with her I-pad that she chooses her own colours to draw and she selects the write alphabets. Clements & Natasi (1993) state that “technology should not replace human interaction and relationships, but they can serve as catalysts for social interactions and conversations related to children’s work” (cited in Ellis & Van Scoter, 2001, p9).

The journey has inspired me in so many ways; I understand technology a lot better than before. I have understood the importance of technology amongst children and I have realised that children are very competent when it comes to technology. I have developed a whole new perspective about technology and I would like to keep on facilitating children’s learning towards technology. Now I know that blogs can be a great tool to share our ideas and learning which takes place in an early childhood environment. I will continue to scaffold and enhance children’s experiences with technology.

References:

Ellis, D., & Van Scoter, J. (2001) Technology in Early childhood Education: Finding the Balance.Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory.

Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in Early childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999.