Last
Tuesday, I was observing children play and I noticed a group of children were
counting butterflies eggs on the tree. I approached them to take some photos of
their interests and learning. Child K approached me and asked if he could take
photos of the eggs on the tree. I allowed him to use the camera to take the
photos but I supervised him because it was his first time using real camera. I believe children enjoy being hands-on with
materials. I instructed and demonstrated him how to hold camera and I showed
him each part of the camera such as eyepiece, lens, and shutter button. Smorti
(1999) states that “technology is about helping people and solving problem”
(p.5).
He started to take the picture of eggs on the
tree. After he finished taking photos, I showed him review button so that he
can views the images that he has taken. He was very excited when he saw the
images that he has taken and he was started to talk about it and counts how
many butterflies’ eggs that he can see from that image. Through the use of
technology, children learn technology skills, while enhancing social and
cognitive development (Northwest Regional Educational Laboratory, 2011). After
that he said he wants to take pictures of something else. I allowed him and
observed him from the back.
I
noticed he was very curious and interests in the environment that surrounded
him therefore he explored the environment by taking picture of different
things. According to Te Whāriki “children develop the knowledge that trying
things out, exploration, and curiosity are important and valued ways of
learning” (p. 84). I believe children learn more through discovering for
themselves. Smorti (1999) states that early childhood teachers need to provide
children with opportunities to explore technology. While he was taking picture,
other children joined him. I noticed he was teaching other children how to use
camera. Smorti (1999) states that technology is about helping people and
solving problem. She also states that technology influenced by the culture or the
society. It amazed me because he learnt very fast and he was able to teach back
his friends. According to Te Whāriki
“children develop the ability to represent their discoveries using creative and
expressive media and the technology associated with them” (Ministry of
Education, 1996, p. 88).
I
believe technology is used to support children learning and development. When
children manipulating digital camera, they learn practical skills as they
develop how the camera work (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007). Therefore they
will increase the awareness of the natural world and building self confidence. For the very young children, one of the
benefits that they can get from manipulating digital camera is enhancing their
fine motor skills in learning how to use the buttons and controls. Also the use
of digital camera enhances young children cognitive, social, emotional,
physical and linguistic development (NAEYC, 2012). According to Fleer and Jane
(2011) using appropriate technology provides opportunities for children to
develop independent learning skills. I believe digital camera are good ideas
for children because it involving children learning basic photography and
giving them the opportunity to experiment with it. Children can also express
through photography, this can enhance their verbal skills especially when it
comes to talking about the photo that they have taken. According Te Whāriki “children develop skills with
media that can be used for expressing a mood or a feeling or for representing
information” (p.80).
References
Ministry of
Education (2007) The New Zealand
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand:
Learning Media.
Ministry of
Education. (1996). Early childhood curriculum Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga
mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media
NAEYC (2012). Technology
and interactive media as tools in early childhood programs serving children from birth through age 8. Retrieved
from http://www.naeyc.org/files/naeyc/file/positions/PSTECH98.PDF
Northwest Regional Education, (2001). Technology in
Early Childhood Education: Finding
the balance. Retrieved from http://www.netc.org/earlyconnections/byrequest.pdf
Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.
Picture
reference
http://www.google.co.nz/imgres?start=88&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1365&bih=805&tbm=isch&tbnid=58MYgY5a_CGMOM:&imgrefurl=http://www.charlesjamesdesigns.com/advantages-using-digital-camera/&imgurl=http://www.charlesjamesdesigns.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/Advantages-Using-Digital-Camera.jpg&w=280&h=280&ei=kGs7ULDJI--ViQeyqoHwDA&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=181&vpy=354&dur=669&hovh=224&hovw=224&tx=146&ty=125&sig=110819043908318716485&page=4&tbnh=143&tbnw=149&ndsp=30&ved=1t:429,r:12,s:88,i:44
Hello Tin Zar Maung, it is a very good reflection. It is very good idea that you demonstrated and instructed to the child how to use the camera. It is good to see that you were aware of not all children were familiar with the use camera. Therefore you demonstrated and instructed to the child how to use the camera. Vygotsky’s theory ZPD (zone of proximal development) children can be learned difficult tasks with guidance and assistance of adults or more skilled children (Santrock, 2009). Also you scaffold the child, at first you guidance and showed to the child how to hold camera then you let the child use camera on his own. According to Vygotsky’s theory “scaffolding is changing the level of support” (Santrock, 2009, p.220). Young children can adapt the use technology very fast. Isn’t it amazing that child learned how to use camera very fast? That is very great to see that he was able to teach his friends how to use camera. I do agree with you that children learn best through hands- on experience. It is amazing how you explained the benefits of using a camera such as develop language skills and camera enhance young children cognitive, social, emotional, physical and linguistic development because I never aware of that.
ReplyDeleteTumeke Tinza! What an interesting reflection on digital cameras. I believe that cameras play dynamic part in our lives these days. I noticed that the majority of us reflected on either cameras or computer. This is so right because these two main digital technological equipment that most centres are using it. I think it is significant to help children to find curiosity in them, as they are often curious of buttons and lenses! I like the point that you are eager to extend children’s interest in cameras, and to discuss with them the use of camera. I wonder this gives them opportunity to talk about their interests, and increase their self-confidence at the sometime. Te Whāriki Ministry of Education, (1996) stated that this is how children “discovered different ways to be creative and expressive” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 72). The camera also allowed the children to document their own learning and then later share them with families/whānau and friends. This piece of technology provides children the opportunity to learn through responsive and reciprocal relationships with people, places and things (Ministry of Education, (1996). The camera supports the knowledge of the children by allowing them to create their own play.
ReplyDeleteHi Tinza! Well, you are one of the alert teachers on the field. You observed children's interests and act upon it. You are extending children's learning by giving them the camera to use before showing them other functions. While children are taking photos of the butterfly eggs you are connecting them back to the nature. These photos remind them there is something good about nature. Camera is one of the technilogical equipment that captures children's learning and connecting them to their families (Ministry of Education, 1996). But there is something that I do not agree with you about directing children. Directing is not an appropriate approach to use to introduce something new a child has not explored before. I believe, when you direct someone you are telling him/her this is want I want this to be done. Meaning you have no option just do what I said. You shut off children from going further. But I would recommend you to use suggestion approach instead because when you suggest something to the children you are offereing them a choice (MacNaughton & Williams, 2008). Apart from that your reflection is good.
ReplyDeleteTumeke Tin Zar! Really good reflection.
ReplyDeleteI liked your use of references. Next time remember to use quotation marks to indicate where quotes start and finish. I like how you acted upon the children's interests. Te Whariki states that “The environment, routines, people, and happenings within and around a home provide opportunities for the spontaneous learning which should be a feature of all early childhood learning contexts” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 18).
I like how you scaffolded the children's learning. Vygostsky states that "assisted performance is fine - even desired" (Gonzalez-Mena, 2008, p. 27).
Great job once again!