This incident made me stop and look around our centre and observe how we were actually incorporating computer use in our curriculum. We had only one computer in the room between 25 children and it was hard for children to actually get much time using the computer and software’s available on it. Haugland (1999) argues that a child need quality time using computers and therefore the best ratio of children to computers is actually one is to five.
Although we had one computer in our room when ever it was in use we have a timer and a roster of names of children in order of their turns and each child got about 15 mintues on the computer.Extra chairs are provided around the computer becuase often the more confident and experiened peers, teach the younger one how to do things. This group form to arranging the computer area also encouarges team work and cooperation. This goes hand in hand with Haugland (1992) suggestion that the computer only became an important learning resource if individual children had quality time and opportunity to use it.
The incident of the head teacher turning the computer off had the opposite effect on the other teachers. The other teachers were actually able to confront their own views of technology and realise that saying no to computers in the centre was more to do with teachers lacking the knowledge of how to use it. The head teacher was able to admit the same and this lead to more open conversations about technology usage in the centre.We are currently as a team in the centre having professional development around how technology can actually support children and teachers learning.
I think this has been a especially moving experience for the head teacher because she how the wonderful learning opportunities available to children through the use of the computer and software programs for instance the preschoolers were interested in cars, we were able to use the internet to research the history of cars, the design, the model and how cars worked. This made the topic more real and educational for the children because they were able to see actual images and videos of cars. Howard Gardner argued that young children learnt using a diverse range of learning styles. Some children learnt through reading, while other through experiment and exploration while others were visual learners (Gardner
Reference:
Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York
Haugland, S. W. (1992). Effects of computer software on preschool children’s developmental gains. Journal of Computing in Early Childhood, 3 (1) 15-30.
Haugland, S. W. (1999). What role should technology play in young children’s learning? Young Children, 54 (9), 26- 30).
Haugland, S. W. (2000). Early childhood classrooms in the 21st century: Using computers to maximize learning. Young Children, 55 (1), 12-18.
Images from Google 
Hi Pawan,
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It is good for the centre to have teachers who have got an increased awareness of technology, but at the same time it is very sad that the head teacher does not value the technology. She thinks it is just a waste of time. Yes we know the outdoor play is an important tool for learning but we cannot ignore the indoors. The list of appropriate materials in the inside environment can be almost endless. Practically anything we can think of that is safe and interesting can become a learning tool for the children. I agree what you said that computers are used by everyone on a daily basis. Computer has become an important part of children’s life. Thirty years ago it was a luxury but nowadays it has become a necessity. I like your strategy of practising computer in your room. You have put the timer, roster of the names and extra chairs around the computer. Of course it teaches them rules, taking turns and social skills. You can encourage the children to write and read their names on the roaster list. It will develop their fine motor skills and their literacy skills. They are four year old and it will help them next year in school in writing and reading. You can download some mathematical games also. It will be easy for them to solve the questions collectively rather than individually. By this they will gain confidence for future life. Smorti (1999) says that technology is about helping people and solving problems. And we as educators in the early childhood are to scaffold children’s learning in technology area need to widen our knowledge and extend our own knowledge to go through technology.
Hi Pawan,
ReplyDeleteGood blog Pawan; I believe that computers are a great tool for cognitive development. I find out your head teachers views about technology reading through this blog. I believe that outdoor and indoor environment plays equal role in children’s development. I agree with Lovely the outdoor play is an important tool for learning but we cannot ignore the indoors. Computers plays major role in children’s life in these days. I admire the way you set up ratios and provide quality time for children to use computers. This will help children to learn to work alongside with others and turn taking, patient etc. As you have talked about in your blog, I think it is important to be open to computers keeping in mind to use them in moderation. I really admire the way you use the computer with children, giving them opportunities to discover and explore about the computers.
You need to approach this as a project where their learning will be displayed and analysed on the walls this might capture the attentions of staff, teachers and the parents overall awareness about technology and how important it is. By doing a project about raising awareness of technology will capture the attention of your staff members. Be. I do understand the importance of preparing children for the future, a future of technology and needing ICT skills so the best place to start learning these skills is now.
Ka pai!!!
Hi Pawan!
ReplyDeletePawan, what an interesting and informing blog I enjoyed the way you attract the reader in your writing. You have very well incorporated the importance and effectiveness of computers regarding children’s learning throughout their daily experiences.
I like your approach which made the most of a teachable moment when you have suggested a technology tool which would persuade the information needs for the children. I believe computer related technology is playing an important role in daily life. I agree with you that some children learnt through reading, while other through experiment and exploration while others were visual learners (Gardner, 1987).
Through this learning experience you have wonderfully created the opportunities for the children to gain knowledge for their own learning. You have proven in you blog Haugland theory that the computer only became an important learning resource if individual children had quality time and opportunity to use it (Haugland, 1992). By reading your blog, I realised that computers are powerful tools for learning which promotes children's learning abilities. When children do not have access to computers they may have lack of knowledge than the other children who had accessibility. In my centre, I have seen children's exploration and learning being visible when they had chance to play on the computer. Having professional development in your centre which shows that you are going out of your ways to introduce new technologies; I believe when educators facilitate and scaffolds young children's learning through using technology it will help them to know, use the modern tools in a fast development arena. Children will be successful in their life when we as educators/teachers provide significant approaches towards technology to help them competent and confident. (Mitchell, 2007, p. 37).
Tino Pai!
Reference:
Gardner, H. (1987). Frames of mind: The theory of multiple intelligences. New York: Basic.
Haugland, S. W. (1992). Effects of computer software on preschool children’s developmental gains. Journal of Computing in Early Childhood, 3 (1) 15-30.
Mitchell, L. (2007). Using technology in Reggio Emilia-inspired programs. Theory Into Practice, 46 (1), pp. 32-39.
Hi Deep, I strongly agree with you that computer technology is the perfect bridge to getting the world inside the classroom and meeting the individual learning need of children. That proper usage of computers can help children to learn and use interactive programmes and educational activities which would help them to learn about the changing world full of technology. You also can see how computers impact on children’s learning and development in positive way, it enhances their confident in controlling mouse and using key board. Nowadays computers are holding a powerful part in human lives. I believe technological products such as computers should be integrated into the curriculum. The children need opportunities to explore and play with computers, just like they deal with other forms of technology, such as cameras and CD players. This kind of play acts are the foundation for more structured use of applications later on of their learning. Children should be given the opportunity where they can have technology experience and be able to participate in this technology world today. So it’s great to see you encourage children to be familiar with computers. Tino pai, Deep.
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