Personal Reflection
Firstly, I would like to
say thank you to Sharon to teach us People, Places, Things and Events. Before
starting this course, I didn't know anything about blogging. I was stress out
but through lectures, positive guide line, help, support and all the
information about blog, I felt much better. From this course, I have learnt so
much about technology. Before starting
this course, my understanding of technology was electric gazette such as ipad,
radio, computer and camera, but I don’t know how important these technologies
were in children’s learning and development. I don’t know what digital and non- digital
technology means. From the lectures discussion and guideline, I have clear
information about digital and non- digital technology.
I was very impressed when
Bronwyn showed us the video from Botany Downs Kindergarten and how children use
technology into their daily practice. “Technology can be defined as
intervention by design through the use of practical and intellectual resources
to develop products and systems that expand human possibilities by addressing
needs and realising opportunities” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p.32). I am so
glad that this course gave us an opportunity to experience different technology,
where we learn lots of new things. This will help us to become a good teacher
and professional. Now After reading through my group blogs, I have clear
information and knowledge about non-digital tools which include paper,
scissors, pen, crayon, chalk, carpentry tools, gardening tools, weaving, and
musical instruments excreta.
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I also want to say big
thanks to my group members who gave me very positive feedback on all my
reflection. All the feedback is very important for me to learn why and what is the
importance of digital and non- digital technology in early childhood settings. Through
group comments, I got a chance to share my views and ideas. “The process of
reflection includes reflective thinking and self-examination during or after
teaching” (Yang, 2006, p.11). My colleagues suggested me to read and watch
video, which I read and found very interesting and how beneficial it is for
children’s learning and development. “As a reflective practitioner, you commit
to learn continuously about your teaching, by teaching and then thinking about
what you’ve done, what others did and what happened during the process” ( O’
Connor & Diggins, 2002, p.9).
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Technology play very
important role in children’s learning and development. By using iPad computer
and camera, they were using their imagination and creativity skills. By playing
with their peers they also developing social skills such as sharing camera,
communication with each other, and also develop sense of belonging (Ministry of
Education, 1996). While children are doing tasks, teachers ask them open- ended
question, it helps them to think more in depth and solve problem easily.
Technology is about helping people and solving problem (Smorti, 1999). Through
technology children learn various skills such as social, cognitive, physical,
language, and emotional. Te Whāriki
states that “New Zealand is part of a revolution in communication, technology,
work and leisure. Change in this sphere is a feature of everyday life. To cope
with such changes, children need both the confidence to develop their own perspective
and capacity to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills (Ministry of
Education, 1996, p. 18).
Over all I have learnt a
lot from the People,
Places, Things and Events course. I have learnt about how to write reflections
using blog. This course helped me develop professionally and on personal level.
Reflective practice can be beneficial process in teacher professional development,
for both pre-service and in-service teachers. “It helps the challenge of
changing your thinking and gain new skills for teaching and your practice
becomes more fulfilling as you realise you are providing more appropriate learning
opportunity for children” (O’ Connor & Diggins, 2002, p.30).
Reference
MacNaughton, G., &
William, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children: Choice in theory and practice
(3rd ed.). Frenches Forrest, NSW, Australia: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Ministry of Education.
(1996). Te Whãriki: He whãriki mãtauranga
mõ ngã mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington: Learning Media.
Ministry of
Education.(2007). The New Zealand
curriculum. New Zealand: Learning Media.
O'Connor, A., &
Diggins, C. (2002). On reflection:
Reflective practice for early childhood educators. Lower Hutt, New
Zealand.: Open Mind Publishing.
Smorti, S. (1999)
Technology in Early Childhood. Early
Education, 19, 5-10.
Yang, S.-H. (2009). Using
blogs to enhance critical reflection and community of practice. Educational
Technology & Society, 12 (2), 11-21.
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