Date: 31/03/13:
Let’s explore the computer together:
Today I was sitting
with a group of children inside. After few minutes, J came to the centre with
his mum. He looked tired and did not want to leave his mum. Unwillingly he left
his mum’s hand and gave her a kiss and said bye. Then he came to me and started
pulling my hand. I asked him “what do you want J?” He replied ‘Computer’. One
of the teachers told me that he wants
the computer because he loves to hear songs on computer, especially the
‘The Fire Truck’ song. I took him to the computer. We searched the ‘Fire Truck’
song on YouTube together. I also found that J and other children love to do
drawings on computer.
I observed that ‘J’
was very happy to hear the song and watch it visually. Using ICT in children’s
learning enhances their interest. Through ICT techniques children can hear and
see their favorite songs and stories. This will help in their learning and
they can remember it for a long time. ‘J’ felt more relaxed and happy by
watching his favorite song because he can see the colorful pictures and
things moving around. Technology
is increasingly recognized as an integral learning tool for promoting the
social, linguistic, and cognitive development of young children. Drawing and
painting, precursors to formal writing, are representational forms of
communication. As such, freehand drawing is a common activity through which
preschoolers represent their thoughts and knowledge. The use of computers in
preschool has also been found to increase children’s interest and engagement in
drawing. Children’s self-portrait drawings are sometimes more detailed and had
a higher level of representation when constructed on the computer. They
hypothesized that this may be because the computer requires different
fine-motor skills than freehand drawing. Certainly, the most common forms of
computer software involve the use of a mouse and a different set of
visual-spatial skills than writing on paper with pencil or markers. It is suggested
that, for some children, the computer could be a more interesting tool and
therefore might be able to maintain their interest longer and lead to the
inclusion of more details in their drawings (Couse & Chen, 2010).
According to NAEYC, computers can be
a vital component in the early childhood classroom if used in a developmentally
appropriate way. Many researchers are finding that a new generation of children
are dealing with computers in very different ways than in the past. This is
also aided by a new generation of touch screen and hand held devices that
actually promote interaction in the same way that reading a book can. This
evidence suggests that computers have been found to help children with cognitive,
verbal skills, concrete experiences, long-term memory, and social-emotional
growth when successfully applied in developmentally appropriate classrooms.
When children play on computer, they love to play with their peers. During the
joint computer activities children show both prosocial and antisocial ways of interacting with the
computer partner. They develop skill of problem solving without the help of the
teacher (Chen & Geist, 2012). “Technology makes enterprising use of its own specific knowledge
and skills, together with those of other disciplines. Graphics and other
methods of visual representation offer important tools for communication and
exploration” (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007, p.32).
I remember before starting this
course I haven’t had much access to computers. I bought my own laptop when I
started my studies. Now I feel very confident to use technology in my life. It
becomes a part of my life. I can access to my many social sites and get
connected to my family and friends. When I came to New Zealand I often felt
home sickness. But by using computers I feel that I am very close to my family
and friends. I have
noticed that children have great interest in computers. Therefore I will use
computers more often with them. I will also use other ICT technology such as;
digital cameras, video cameras, scanners and photocopies with children.
Children can take photos; they can print their learning stories and also can
make videos. Click on this link to know
the benefits of computers.
References’
Chen, H., & Geist, E.A. (2012). A
Qualitative Examination of Social Interaction During Cooperative Computer
Activities. Education, 133(2), 383-390.
Couse, L.J., & Chen, D.W. (2010). A
Tablet Computer for Young Children? Exploring Its Viability for Early Childhood
Education. Journal Of Research On
Technology In Education, 43(1), 75-98.
Google Images. (n.d.). Retrieved
on 30/03/12 from https://www.google.co.nz/search?
Ministry of Education.
(2007). The New Zealand
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of
Education. (1996). Te whāriki: He whāriki
mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum.
Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Harjit, I like the way you outlined the benefits of children using computers. The thing that really caught my attention was that you used the computer to help a child deal with his emtional turmoil of leaving his mum and settle down. Childre love to see moving graphics and sound. It helps them to relax and calm down. Many of us still may not like the idea of using technology in our centres.However when utilised in appropriate ways, computers are great instrument of learning. Children learn social skills, their concentration is longer and they develop communication skills when they share their experiences with their vreinds and teachers.Technology makes enterprising use of its own particular knowledge and skills, together with those of other disciplines. Graphics and other forms of visual representation offer important tools for exploration and communication (Ministry of Education, 2007).
ReplyDeleteWe live in an increasingly technology-based society. Children need to be prepared to enter a workforce and a world in which computers are a focal point of everyday life.
Being able to learn on a computer has opened up new ways for students to develop academically, especially those who struggle with a learning disorder. Countless websites offer reading and math interventions already designed to help students with specific disabilities. Whereas a teacher in the classroom once had to work long hours to find ways to help hard-to-reach children, the computer provides ready-made activities and interactive games for immediate use (eHow Education, 1999)
Click on the following link to get an extensive article on the benefits of using a computer.
http://www.ehow.com/info_8448390_advantages-computers-educating-children.html
ka pai Harjit another very good and detail reflection about digital technology in computer. I really like your reflection the way you approach children interest in computer. “Technology makes enterprising use of its own specific knowledge and skills, together with those of other disciplines. Graphics and other methods of visual representation offer important tools for communication and exploration” (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007, p.32). Children love to see moving, playing game, and listen songs. It helps them to relax and peaceful mind. I still remember when I did not start this course I don’t know about computer, only I know was go to Google type yahoo email and check my emails but after start this course I had more knowledge about computer. I feel proved myself to I have all knowledge about computer. “Research has confirmed that for many children the computer is a catalyst for information sharing, language development and decision making” (Tsantis, Bewick & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.7). Presently in technology world every child have computer at home. Through computer children develop self-confidence and self- esteem. By using computer in your centre it helps children’s to develop social skills, problem solving, exploration, creative art, sharing ideas, communication and get more knowledge about maths and science. Computer provides many activities for children. Presently my daughter in school and she do her mathletics in her computer. Personally I believe computer is the best digital technology for children. Well done harjit.
ReplyDeleteHi Harjit! Your have written practical reflection on computers. Children love to explore on computers and it can divert their minds. It was good to see you comforting a child using digital technology. From this experience, I can say that computers can have huge effect on children. Computers are fun, colourful and interactive which keeps children playing on computers for very long. It was good to see you following children’s interest. Computers are developmentally appropriate to increase children’s learning in social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills. Children develop communication literacy, numeracy, planning, thinking, problem-solving, imagination, creativity and motor skills (Hansan, 2013). Children learn alright with the traditional teaching methods that are with pencil and paper but computers can be integrated into those activities to increase achievement (Clements, 2012).
ReplyDeleteComputers have a lot of benefits in children’s learning but it can also have adverse effect if not used properly such as accessing inappropriate websites. If children spend too much time on computers, they will miss out on other activities such as sports and outdoors which are equally important for children’s healthy body and mind (Ministry of Education, 1996). Children who are having learning disabilities apparently are doing well with the computers such as autistic children slowly become verbal from being non-verbal.
The following website talks about the effective use of computers with children http://investigations.terc.edu/library/bookpapers/effective_use.cfm
Children are exposed to computers at an early age and some children even know more than their parents about computers. Very young children have shown comfort and confidence in using computers. You have shown many benefits with children using computers. I liked how you worked collaboratively with another teacher about the child’s interest and incorporated computer to assist with the child’s emotional need considering his situation at the time. Young children need to be cared and handled with warmth and tenderness which is how you have responded with the upset child as children need adults who respond in warm understanding way, Gonzalez-Mena (2011).
ReplyDeleteThere is an extensive research on technology use with young children. A lot of research focuses on the use of computers to enhance social, language, and cognitive skills (Seng, 1998). These Studies highlight the opportunities for language use and social interaction that technology offers, along with increased motivation. Computers if used as an educational tool can provide another way for children to learn and make sense of their world. Computers can be used in developmentally appropriate ways that are beneficial to children, or they can be misused, just as any other materials can be misused. Computer as a form of technology does not replace other tools but add to the array of tools available to children to explore, create, and communicate. If used appropriately by skilled teachers, computers can support and extend learning in valuable ways and can increase educational opportunities for children. Thanks for sharing the information in your reflection. Ka Pai.
Here’s a video link which was created to inspire teachers to use technology in engaging ways to help students develop higher level thinking skills. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A-ZVCjfWf8