final Reflective

Reflection for the blog

 Part 3:

Final reflective (4^th) blog post on personal blog (7 marks)

• In the final blog post, you must reflect on your learning from other students’ feedback on your posts, and provide an overall evaluation of the significance and use of technology on children’s learning and development.

I had some good feedback for my entries. I think taking my own IPad to my Centre and allowing children to play and practice their ICT skills showed my commitment as a teacher. I believe that it is important for children to learn technology skills because children need to learn the relevant skills to keep up with the world changing through technology. Te whāriki stated that the world is changing and children need the confidence to acquire new skills and knowledge to participate in this world (Ministry of Education, 1996).

Our centre have not introduces IPad or laptops to children but they do use the digital camera and CD players. Teachers also use the printing machines and laminator. I think it would be a good learning experiences for children if teachers involve them in these activities. I introduced my own phone and IPad to children for their learning and it went very well. Children communicating with their friends and families is a great way to be connected because children can show and tell their experiences and creations. Few other students mentioned that they use facebook in their centres to communicate with parents. This will be a great learning experience for children when their families are involved. Some parents may not be able to attend their child`s centres regularly meeting and presentations, so communicating through face book by using the communication technology will keep them informed and up to date about their child`s learning and development. I read in one of the entries that Bolstad (2004) mentioned that using face book is a way to communicate and develop a responsive relationship between the Centre and the families. I think I will discuss this with my Centre supervisor and set up a facebook account where teachers can post children work and voices. Parents and families can access these account and look at their children`s work and post their comments. Teachers can help children access these as well in the centre and look at their parents comments.

In the feedback it is also mentioned that there are other skills children learn through the use of this device. Connecting with friends and families helps children develop their social skills. When children share a digital device to play they learn to take turns. They develop their language and communication skills, thinking and problem-solving. Language grows when children have a reason to communicate (Ministry of Education, 1996). Children are aware of the introduction of new technology devices. They are familiar with these devices because they have seen and used it at home. Introducing these devices in the centre to children will help them learn and practice their skills to be up to date with the changes. I believe that adults’ engagement and guidance can help children learn new technology and bring in positive outcomes (Stephen & Plowman, 2013).  Introducing new ways to use the technology will help Children learn and develop various skills such as numeracy and literacy with adult’s supervision and support (Talay-Ongan, 2005).

There are also a need for children to play and learn without the use of technology. A combination of both ICT learning and non-ICT learning is essential for children`s learning. Practical skills are also important for children`s development because it help make their character stronger (Glider, 2012). In of the entries it was mentioned that sometimes parents are concerned about their children`s health when they spend too much time playing with the digital devices. So Centres which supports children`s learning through the use of ICT and non-ICT will help children develop their physical motor skills as well as their ICT skills. Children`s experiences without the use of ICT such as running, jumping, climbing, swimming and other physical activities will help children develop their body muscles and keep them fit. These activities will allow children to move away from TV screen or computer games and keep their body fit.

It is important for children to learn the ICT skills to keep up with the changing world and it is also important for them to play without the use of ICT. This way children will learn and enhance their knowledge that there are various way of developing their skills while having fun.

Reference

Bolstad, R. (2004). The role and potential of ICT in early childhood education: A review of New Zealand and international literature. Wellington, New Zealand: NZCER.

Glider, S. A. (2012). Hands as the companions of the mind: Essential practical life for the 5 year old.Montessori life, 24(3) 24-29.

Ministry of Education. (2015). Using ICT to link with families. Retrieved from http://www.educate.ece.govt.nz/learning/exploringPractice/ICT/LinksToFamiliesAndICT.aspx

Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media. 

Stephen, C. & Plowman, L. (2013). Digital technologies, play, and learning. Early Childhood Folio, 17(2), 3-8. 

Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Southbank, Australia: Thomson Social Science Press.