Nowadays, many children have access to and familiar with the computers. The computer seems as a significant technology in the early childhood settings. In my centre, the computers are provided for each room. Children are keen on using the computers. The children are very interested in playing educational game and watch cartoon movie. Computers can provide highly effective learning opportunities for children.
Computers foster social interactions and relationships because children turn to each other for help and advise rather than adults (Wartella & Jennings, 2000). Computers can facilitate social interaction, co-operation, friendship formations and constructive group play” (Wartella & Jennings, 2000).
I think the computer is an important education medium for children to access to. As Te Whāriki (1996, p. 88) states “children develop the ability to represent their discoveries using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them.” If we as educators learn ourselves about the importance of technology and how it is used then we can actually realise the learning that takes place with computers.
In my opinion, children using computer could help them social-emotional development. As the children work cooperatively with others, take responsibility for their own work. Te Whariki (1996) states that growing experience in solving problems together develops children’s understanding of how technologies can help them and others.
The technology of computer helps children’s cognitive development, as the children could identify the colours, shapes, and sizes; sorts the objects; gain early reading skill by playing the educational games. Also the children’s physical skill would be developed such as fine motor skill, eye-hand coordination by using the keyboard and clicking the mouse.
Children are more likely to discuss, solve problems and have fun together while they use the computer in an appropriate way. Therefore, it would be meaningful for children when they develop different strategies while learning to handle the compute (Alexandersson, Linderoth & Lindo, 2001). For me, as a teacher needs to take more responsibilities on stimulating children’s exploration and experimentation with computer in order to help children ‘s learning and development using technologies.
Children are able to experience the technology as a communication tool that gives them motivation to explore and learn in order to become good communicators. Therefore, Communication technology would come through because the children have something that they want to show and share with their peers, staff and family while using the computers. Te Whāriki (1996) says that children gain experience in using communication technology such as crayons, paintbrushes, pencils, calculators, books and computers” (p. 97).
On the other hand, if the children spend too long in front of the computer may be missing out other development experience. In my opinion, if the children use computer only for games that they would not get quality education from it. Therefore how to assist children using computer in an appropriate way has to be considered by the teachers. Children will be more likely to benefit from computer play when teachers set learning objectives that is interesting to the children (Dodge and Colker, 1982).
The technologies that benefit young children the greatest are those that are interactive and allow the children to develop their curiosity, problem solving and independent thinking skills. Children learn practical skills as they develop models, products, and systems (Ministry of Education, 2007). I think the key to making technologies significance for children is to make sure that we help children to enhance their social interactions effectively and their view of the world.
Reference list:
Alexandersson, M., Linderoth, J., & Lindo, R. (2001). Bland barn och datorer.Among children and computers. Lund: Studentlitteratur.
Dodge, D.T., & Colker, L.J. (1992). The Creative Curriculum For Early Childhood (3rd ed). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies. Inc.
Google Image (2012). Image of children using computer. Retrieved from:
Ministry of Education. (1996). Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa .Wellington: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). New Zealand Curriculum. Wellington: Learning Media.
Wartella, E. A & Jennings, N. (2000). Children and Computers: New Technology- Old Concerns. The Future of Children, 10 (2).
I agree that children may miss out some development experience and they would not get quality education from it. Also children may insuffice opportunities to communicate with other person face to face. The aspect of positive is computer can rich children’s experience to learn and explore a modern communication platform.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience, my AT brought a laptop that was out of order to the centre and asked children to disassemble as much as they can, it could increase their knowledge of computer, for example, what does chip do inside of the computer? it likes human’s brain, to control other parts of the body to work together.
You can try it, if you interested in and have enough resource, children will be attracted.
Yes, Rui. Nowadays children and Whanau are surrounded by many technologies. So children have many opportunities to explore and use these. Just like computer, this is significant technology in our life and in early childhood centres. In the centre, teachers provide computers for children to provide high effective learning opportunities for them. As children could develop their social skills, cognitive development through using computer.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, I also think that teachers need to control time for children to use computer. If children spend more time on computer, it will limit their social activity, hence less communication and interaction with peers and adults. At the same time, I believe that teachers should provide the safe internet for children to use, and also make sure every resource is appropriate for children’s different age. As Te Whariki states “activities will be age appropriate and developmentally appropriate” (Ministry of Education,1996,P.11).
It is a great reflection, as your reflection presented a range of learning of children when they use computer in centre. I quite agree. Computer as a hi-tech product does encourage problem-solving skill when children work on computer and figure out how things work; computer as a useful communication tool can also foster social interaction and form good relationship when children engage in computer and sharing some ideas with others; I also agree that playing with computer is a fun learning process, which helps to develop children’s emotional well-being. If children are interested in something, they feel happy to do it. Therefore, children’s interests are important in their learning in early childhood setting.
ReplyDeleteThere is an interesting idea in your reflection that computer can encourage independent thinking, which sounds very fresh to me, Can you please explain how computer can foster children’s independent thinking? as I couldn’t find a clear clue in your reflection.
The society is developing with the computers; computer science is a necessary and important part of our life today. Children should learn about the high-tech knowledge in the early childhood centers. Everyone needs to catch up with the pace of this modern society.
ReplyDeleteAs the sentence you wrote: “Children are more likely to discuss, solve problems and have fun together while they use the computer in an appropriate way.” I recognize this point. It’s very common to see children using an iphone or ipod at home. Sometimes, children will teach each other how to use the smart phones and software on the computers. But most of them can understand the words on that high-tech equipment. But they know which button is which. It’s fantastic, isn’t it?
On the other hand, because of the safety problem I have the same opinion as you: children need adults’ support when they surfing the Internet. Because of lack of self-protect, children don’t have enough capacity to stop the harmful information on the net. They need adults’ support all the time. I think with adults’ help children can develop their technological skills on the computer more safely.
Kia ora, Rui!
ReplyDeleteI think this is a interesting reflection with a wide range of thinking!
Nice spotting of 'children turn to each other for help and advise rather than adults' (Wartella & Jennings, 2000).It is quite often that we see this kind of social-emotional and social competence development happening around children. I'm glad you found a piece of literature to back it up!
It is very true that children develop their curiosity, problem solving and independent thinking skills through using computers. You've also listed some other benefits for children using computers including cognitive development, eye-hand co-ordination, and effective social interactions. Very widely thinking. Kai pai!
I agree with you on 'children will be more likely to benefit from computer play when teachers set learning objectives that is interesting to the children' (Dodge and Colker, 1982).I think setting up interesting would be a great idea to attract children's attention an extend their time of concentration.It is also a very good idea for achieving your further thinking of stimulating children’s exploration and experimentation with computer in order to help children ‘s learning and development using technologies.
Tumeke!
References:
Dodge, D.T., & Colker, L.J. (1992). The Creative Curriculum For Early Childhood (3rd ed). Washington, DC: Teaching Strategies. Inc.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Early Childhood Curriculum Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa .Wellington: Learning Media.
Wartella, E. A & Jennings, N. (2000). Children and Computers: New Technology- Old Concerns. The Future of Children, 10 (2).