Blog 1 - Tech KidsIn modern world, people commonly use computers and internet as the most powerful media for gathering information. It enables us to communicate directly by chatting and send messages by emails to any part of the world. Talay-Ongan(2005) says that the “use of technology in ECE settings enables teachers to easily tailor the curriculum to meet individual child needs”(p.227). Using computers in ECE settings, children can get an opportunity to learn a new skill of modern technology(ICT). In the beginning of this year, my centre installed a new computer for children to gain skills in technology. J, L, P and A showed keen interest in playing computer games. They are very confident to scroll the computer mouse and they choose their favorite games and activities to play in the computer. Sometimes, children bring their own favorite CDs to the centre and use them to play in the computer by sharing and turn taking with each other. Some children learn to write their own names by using the alphabet games and save it in the computer. This experience helps children to recognize the letters and to use softwares appropriately. Talay-Onegan (2005) says that “using computer in ECE setting; it will help children to integrate the use of software in their learning”.
In this blog, I talk about ‘R’, a three year old girl, who showed interest in using the computer lately. Initially, she did not show much interest in using the computer but later she watched other children who used computer to play games. Two weeks before, she came to me and said “Liby, I want to play on the computer”. I was happy to hear this from ‘R’, so I decided to help her. We went to the computer corner and I turned it on for her and asked her which activity she wanted to play. She did not say the name of any game in particular, so I asked her if she wanted to play ‘I Spy’ game. She replied to me with a yes. The activity she chose in the game requires us to sort and to form groups of animals and vehicles. She started to sort and formed groups of animals and vehicles separately. At times when she was confused, other children helped her. I noticed that physically she showed the skills in handling the mouse and to scroll the mouse and drag the cursor up and down to move the objects and placed them in the correct position. ‘R’ became happy and more confident in using computer. Smorti says that educators in early childhood setting will enable children to broaden their understanding about technology when ever they needed. This computer activity enabled ‘R’ to develop her thinking skill by sorting and grouping. This also helped her to increase her fine motor skills and hand and eye coordination.
Hi Liby,
ReplyDeleteYes, computer technology in early childhood centres is vital, because it enhances children’s learning through letter recognition, doing various activities and playing games, like the spy game you engaged with R. Have you considered extending R’s knowledge of animals and vehicles? For letter recognition, a computer keyboard is a fantastic technological tool, for teaching children how to spell their names, by either matching corresponding letters, or simply pressing the letters on the keyboard. Having fun is another way of encouraging learning, without children realizing they are learning.
I liked the way you participated and extended R’s learning. Generally, children enjoy when adults participate in their activities. Do the CDs which children bring from home, have educational goals and objectives, or are they just for mere entertainment? Good work Liby, and thanks for sharing your experience.
Miriam
Thanks Miriam for your comments. I really appreciate it. Following your questions,Yes I have extended R's knowledge of animals and vehicles because towards the end she was able to recognise animals and vehicles and put them in to different groups. And the CD's contain both entertainment and educational contents in which children enjoyed working with it at the same time developing their skills in using computers and these games help them to improve their thinking skills.
ReplyDeleteGreat Liby, what a great learning activity for the children. You were lucky to get a new computer too. Liby I liked the way you let other children help R with the computer game when she was confused. It is good that teachers can observe other children helping one another it shows that we as teachers value other children's help. Especially using the tuakana teina where the older child helps the younger child. Good work Liby, Thanks Veronica
ReplyDeleteHi Libby, I could not resist to note how technology, in the above instance, the computer can help children work as a team. A girl who showed no interest in computers all of a sudden wants to play with it as she notices that all others are playing in groups and this triggered her interest to be part of the pact maybe. It is definitely clear that as R started playing with the computer game "i Spy" other kids got reeled in to help and before we know they start speaking to each other and start 'solving problems' together.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it good to know that you have chosen the the correct topic being the right people in the right place with the right things in a right event may succeed.
Poetry apart I think you have done a good job with R and it's good to know that her interaction with learning has further opened up through her peers participating in helping her all through the medium of the modern technology - computers.