Reflection 1
Digital Camera
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| Image 1, children taking photos of friends |
Today I saw a small group of children using Digital Camera
taking photos of each others. I have also noticed children taking photos of their
interests. I have recognized children’s awareness of technology as they know
how to use this form of digital technology. I observe some of the staffs in
centre provide opportunities of indoor and outdoor environments. Afterword,
children were given the opportunities to see the photos that they taken. All of
the children very exited and interested to see what was in their friend’s photos
and discuss over it. I have observed teachers were able to approach to children’s
photos.
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| Image 2, a child taking a close shot of a poster |
I recognized children are following their interests by
capturing different images. This helped them to develop their problem solving
skills, thinking skills and social skills. “Children do have strongly held view
about their environment and the place of technology in their world. Knowing
about these understandings is important for us as educators” (Fleer & Jane,
2011, p 39). From Technology students can develop a broad technological
literacy that will equip them to participate in society as informed citizen and
give them access to technology related career. Through the technological
knowledge students develop knowledge particular to technological enterprises
and environments and understanding of how things work. By offering a variety of
contexts, teachers help their students to recognize links and develop generic
understandings (The New Zealand Curriculum, 1993, p32). According to Te
Whariki, from technology children gain experience in solving problems together
develops children’s understanding of how technologies can help them and others (Ministry
of education, 1996). Children can tell a story in picture, and photos share the
learning with other students, parents, and community members. To facilities
children with digital camera in center provide children opportunities to
communicate, explore, and contribute in their small society.
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| Image 3, printing children's photos |
Reflective practice is so important
for an early childhood educator, because a professional early childhood
educator needs to be confident of their own skills and be able to make positive
choices for professional development. In response of children using digital
camera, as teacher we should be able to link and extend this form of technology
with children together, such as download to a computer, get children to choose
their favorite one and printed out, and ask children to laminate with
supervision display it in the room. Children need to know what their capturing
by the camera is so important and special, we need to value and contribute to
them. When photos of
children involved in learning experiences are displayed around the room, on
computers, in storybooks, posters and portfolios, and used in games, we
establish within the room a sense of belonging and ownership for those
children. Parents will see the individual respect given to their child and
others, and it also enhance the communication between early childhood educator
and parents about day-to-day happenings.
Reference
Fleer,
M., & Jane, B. (2011). Design and technology for children. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Australia.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā
mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early childhood
curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington,
New Zealand: Learning Media.
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Yes I agree the use of digital cameras is great for creating awareness of technology in the centre. I also agree that children need to understand how important their photos are and what they have captured on the camera for their learning to take place.
ReplyDeleteIt is good to see that children are able to take their own photos and have them printed and added to their portfolios.
By letting children choose the photos they want they "develop the ability to make decisions, choose their own materials and set their own problems", Ministry of Education 1996, p.84).
After reading your reflection I see that young children learn a lot from the process of using the digital camera, it has made me think about how I could include it into my centre. Even letting them see the photos taken and choosing the ones they want for the port folio.
Yes I agree that teachers need to be confident in their own ICT skills and able to encourage and extend children's learning, development and skills through the use of ICT.
It is amazing that children have an awareness of how to use digital technology like digital camera. I am sure that the children were excited to take photos each other with fun. I also agree that children can improve their problem solving and thinking skills with social development through observation and communication during this activity. In addition, when children look at their photos, they can remember what happened, and share the pictures with peers and teachers through telling stories. I think that digital camera is a very useful tool so that children can explore technology by taking and checking pictures. When I had a look at children’s photos, the objects on the photos looked different. The objects were created again and expressed by children’s view in different ways. According to the principle of Exploration in Te Whāriki, children can learn through active exploration and play by doing, by asking, by interacting with other in their environments (as cited in Ministry of Education, 1996). I agree that review of pictures and technology is also important for children to develop a sense of belong through displaying around the room and documenting portfolios.
ReplyDeleteReferences
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
I believe that easy access to use cameras is important for children to have experience of technology. In reality, for some reasons, children do not have many opportunities to explore cameras in early childhood settings. I think that teachers should offer children opportunities to explore digital cameras in any ways. For example, teachers can plan an event, ‘Photo Day’ so that children bring cameras from home, if available. I think that parents will be happy with the exploration of technology when teachers explain effectiveness of using cameras by email or letter.
ReplyDeleteAll process of taking photos, printing their work and sharing with friends are meaningful for children to learn about technology. According to Bowman and Beyer (1994), technology learning enables children to associate real objects and symbols with their thoughts; distinguish between concepts and concrete objects; and express their ideas verbally and nonverbally during play.
Moreover, through these activities, teachers can have understanding of children’s interest and play.
I believe that easy access to use cameras is important for children to have experience of technology. In reality, for some reasons, children do not have many opportunities to explore cameras in early childhood settings. I think that teachers should offer children opportunities to explore digital cameras in any ways. For example, teachers can plan an event, ‘Photo Day’ so that children bring cameras from home, if available. I think that parents will be happy with the exploration of technology when teachers explain effectiveness of using cameras by email or letter.
ReplyDeleteAll process of taking photos, printing their work and sharing with friends are meaningful for children to learn about technology. According to Bowman and Beyer (1994), technology learning enables children to associate real objects and symbols with their thoughts; distinguish between concepts and concrete objects; and express their ideas verbally and nonverbally during play.
Moreover, through these activities, teachers can have understanding of children’s interest and play.
Reference
Bowman, B. T., & Beyer, E. R. (1994). Thoughts on technology and early childhood education. In J. L. Wright & D. D. Shade (Eds.) Young children: Active learners in a technological age (pp. 19-30). Washington, WA: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
I can see very good points in Lucky’s reflection number one: the connection of educating children and professionalism of the staff, the expanding the communication growth with community and parents. I like the most her attitude for the respectful approach of children like an individual, using the technology as one of the methods of collaborative work as one team. Through photos from digital cameras to broader picture linked for children’s future life in technological world, starting from contribution to their small society right now. In her example I see growing experience of “solving problems together develops children’s understanding of how technology can helps them and others” (Ministry of Education, p. 96). This conclusion was made after narrow observation of children’s and teacher’s co-constructive relationship and deep understanding of self learning requirement for each student and teacher. The view on the technology as the tool that helps children feel sense of their belonging and individual respect also attracted my attention. (159)
ReplyDeleteI agree with Lucky that digital cameras are very important for children to use in the learning process. “Children develop the ability to represent their discoveries using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them” (Ministry of Education, 1996)Digital cameras are ubiquitous in the wider world with them embedded in laptops, phones, TV’s as well as digital cameras. They are a fantastic tool for communicating, capturing and sharing experiences and they allow us to be closer together. By introducing them to children at a young age, they will be comfortable with them, and accept them as part of their everyday life.
ReplyDeleteFor the role of cameras in education I think digital cameras are very immediate - children can now see a picture of what they took immediately on the camera, or within a few minutes on a computer. With older film cameras it might takes 2-3 days or a week to have the films printed, and come at considerable cost, restricting the use and benefits of the camera for helping children’s communication and creativity.