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| Photo of old technology , that I have mentioned in my reflection. |
Recognizing what technology is in my centre
In my centre I have
noticed the types of technology that are available; computers, cameras and a CD
player. It is my point of view all of these are mostly used by the teachers and
student teachers. They use them to help support and record children’s
development. The children are only seen using the computer is in the morning
when certain children get to watch the wiggles on YouTube as this helps them to
settles in for the day. It was very hard for me to see the significance of using
technology as a way of supporting children’s learning and development in this
particular manner, Instead the children are encouraged to explore other areas
such as construction with different types of materials, storytelling, dramatic
play, cooking and drawing which are more tangible and interactive
exercises. It wasn’t until I read
‘Technology in Early Childhood’ by Smorti (1999) that one realises that there
is more to technology than just computers and cameras. In her article she
explains what technology is and the different types of technology in early
childhood settings. Technology is designed to solve problems, make life easier
and save time; technology is also influenced by culture, society and by the
surroundings (Smorti, 1999). In our centre you may only see a single computer
and a couple of cameras but technology can be the pens at the writing table,
hammers and the carpentry table , spades in the sand pit or a cooking activity
. I have learnt that in technology lies every day tools and activity that helps
us develop skills and supports us in getting a job done. An example of a
technology activity that I have noticed at my centre that happens often is baking,
since reading the Smorti article I have noticed that the cooking process is
part of implementing technology and at the same time very effective at
developing a wide range of holistic development in children. For example one of
my baking experiences I recall was while I was on practicum, when I decided to
bake a banana cake. As I reflect back on this process I can identify a number
technology tools that we used; for example the oven, wooden spoon, clock, bowls
and measuring cups. All of these tools were supporting children’s fine motor
skills, mathematics skills, reading skills and physical skills. Personally I
have always thought cooking was a science activity however looking back and
reflecting on my own cooking experience with the children I realise that
technology is all around us. This quote has helped me understand the
differences between technology and science.
“Technology is different from
science, in that it emphasises creative and productive aspect of solving
problems and answers questions such as ‘How can we design/ make something that
will...’ Where science is about exploring the physical world and finding out
about ‘How it behaves’ and ‘Why something happens’. (Smorti, 1999, p.6-7).
I believe that it is
important as teachers to know the different types of technology and the
significance that it plays in children’s learning and development. I also believe
that teachers need to educate parents on this topic as some parent’s views may
not line up with what the centre practices. Children themselves also need to
know the types of technology that they are using, as most children will probably
only associate technology with their iphone, computer, and ipad. “Using many materials
for different purposes enables children to recognize that different
technologies may be used in various places and settings” (Ministry of Education
1996, p.95). When I now look at my centre I can see that
they are implementing technology into their curriculum and supporting children
in their development by using technology.
References
Ministry of Education.
(1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga
mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smori, S. (1999)
Technology in Early Childhood. Early
Education, 19, 5-10.
Great way to use baking as a technology format in your center, but in the beginning you mentioned that there are different types of technology available in the center, but only used my teachers and student teachers. I would like to recommend some suggestions for you that you could maybe think about doing in your practice as this has worked very well in my center. My center is very anti-technology, and always focuses on baking, arts and music. All these things are technology and support each other, for example you can do baking with them and instead of using a book, and you can goggle it with them?
ReplyDeleteThis could possibly me a way to show teachers in your center the learning development that can arise from this experience. I believe all children are capable and competent learners; it is how we see them through our eyes. Technology is always changing and in the near future there will be baking tools that will be more technical then an eggbeater, what will happen then?
I believe in teaching children that these non-digital technologies will one day change and encourage them to get familiar with certain digital technologies to improve their knowledge. New Zealand schools are more focused in Technology, science and literacy then they are in other subjects in my opinion. There fore teachers in your center and mine should learn to embrace technology and use it in a positive note. There will be a lot of good out of it. Here is a quote from The New Zealand Curriculum something we teachers need to read because at the end of the day we are preparing children for the next level of teaching.
“Technology is continually changing. It is influenced by and in turn impacts upon the culture, ethical environment, political and economic factors of the day, both local and global” (Ministry of Education, 2006, p.23).
Hi Catherine,
ReplyDeleteI think it was excellent experience for children to learn about technology through baking. Catherine I think you through this cooking activity you have enhances the children knowledge by letting them know how science related to the technology. I think this is an incredible use of technology by children in baking as they learn how cooking can be done easily by using the technology these days. The children also had the opportunity to work in a group and thus develop social skills and learn to work together by taking turns.
I believe that technology is a creative experience which can fulfil needs and provide opportunities by using the products in systematically way. “Technology is different from science, in that it emphasis creative and productive aspects of solving problems” (Smorti, 1999,p.6). Children used knowledge and skills, combined with the technological resources available to them to explore theories and ideas to find a solution and satisfy their information needs.This activity encourages children to improve their gross motor skills as you have talked in your reflection.
Lastly, I would say that you have chosen a good activity to observe children interest and extend their learning in technology.
It is a good reflection on technological learning. In my mind technology is always related to exploring the space, doing biochemical research, computers, etc. Just like you, I never link technology to cooking until I read our text book ‘Design and technology for children’. Technology is about design and processing (Smorti, 1999). Just like cooking, it is a creative process. You use different ingredients, use different tools- to produce food. Through the cooking experience, children’s knowledge in mathematics, science and technology are developed, as well as their social skills and language. The authors Fleer and Jane emphasises on the importance of encouraging children to ask quality technological design questions and to think creatively about the range of design solutions possible (Fleer & Jane, 2007). It is very important to develop children’s design briefs and creative thinking in our teaching practice. You did a wonderful purposeful activity with the children on technological learning.
ReplyDeleteHi, Catherine! Good way of helping children to recognise what technology is in your centre. Have your children recognised all the technologies yet? ^.^
ReplyDeleteWhile I asked children in my centre: “what is technology?” they all came up with Computers, mobile phones etc. So I started to realise that it is very important and necessary for children to recognise what exactly a technology is as technology plays a vital role in human’s life. “Children use a variety of technologies for different purposes as they explore their world” (Ministry of Education, 1996).
Through the cooking activity, children were able to explore different types of technologies and gain communication skills. For example, children could identify the different ingredients and what each ingredient is for; when they mix something up or add water, they were able to learn the measurement; when they were baking, they could have an understanding of the temperature and watching the changed of a cake or muffins (before putting in oven, during baking, after baking). I think all those things involved technology.
Through read your reflection I found that technology is not only just electronic products. Baking is also a kind of technology.You showed us the food culture of Western countries, especially for baking. Different foods have their different production methods. Such as baking, the weight of the different materials to be just right and it will produce success.Children in learning the process of baking, they will know the technology and they will learn what rigorous attitude is.Some children have the potential of baking or cooking. Teach them how to baking and developing their potential, their future may be a good chef. The food is very important for us, especially the delicious cuisine. Children become the chef in future also a good career for them. “children’s play is valued as meaningful learning and the importance of spontaneous play is recognized, they gain confidence in and control of their bodies” (Ministry of Education, 1996).
ReplyDelete