Cameras - Digital Technology
Presently one of the
digital technologies that everyone can use in their day to day life and are more
used in schools and early childhood centres are cameras. “Technology is
intervention by design: the use of practical and intellectual resources to
develop products and systems that expand human possibilities by addressing
needs and realising opportunities. Adaptation and innovation are at the heart
of technological practice.” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p. 32).
On a Tuesday morning when
I went to the centre, some children greeted me and I saw some children sitting
nearby my head teacher. They said that we were looking at pictures on the
camera. They all looked very excited. I noticed that head teacher was
scaffolding children with some photos in camera. Scaffolding allows teachers to
support children to complete their task with their guidance (MacNaughton&
Williams, 2009).
“Educators can support
children’s learning by being available to give assistance when needed and to
provide physical or verbal support” (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett, &
Farmer, 2008, p.329). They teach children about screens and how to look at the
pictures. They teach about pressing
different buttons to take pictures. Child ‘D’ was very excited to hold the
camera. I asked ‘D’ to wait and she could hold after teacher has finished taking
the photos. Te Whariki states that
“Children develop the ability to represent their discoveries, using creative
and expressive media and the technology associated with them” (Ministry of
Education, 1996, p.88).
I gave the camera to
child ‘D’. I thought that it would be a good inspiration to let the children
explore this technology. She looked at her friends in the camera’s screen and
she told ‘F’ to say cheese. I told ‘D’ to press the top button and she took the
photo. Children were very happy and ‘D’ looked comfortable now. I felt that
children feel that they are belonged when we listen to them and give priority
to their interests and needs.Te Whariki
states that “Children and their families experience an environment where they
know that they have a place” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.58).
During this activity I
noticed that some of the children are talking about camera. One said “my mom
has a pink one”. Another child said “my daddy has black one”. During free play
time I noticed that some of the children used the camera, taking a friends
photo saying cheese. “if educators in early childhood are to scaffold
children’s learning in this area we need to broaden our understanding of
technology and continue to extend our own knowledge and skills base” (Smorti,
1999, p.5). The challenges that I faced was that when child ‘D’ was using
camera that time child ‘F’ and ‘T’ came over to me. They also wanted to use the camera so I
explained to them there were not enough cameras for everyone and they have to
take turns and share with each other.
Technology encourages
communication and improves children’s learning and development. Appropriate use
of technology uses balance and enhances the use of essential materials,
activities and interactions, becoming part of the daily routine” (NAEYC, n.d., p.
5).By allowing children to use the camera, it helps children to develop the
confidence to express their ideas and get more knowledge about camera. The New
Zealand Curriculum states “the aim is for students to develop a broad
technological literacy that will equip them to participate in society as
informed citizens and give them access to technology-related careers” (Ministry
of Education, 2007,p.32). Through this learning experience children develop
social skills as I observed them shearing a camera each other, helping each
other, and waiting for they turn.
References :-
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., &
Farmer, S. (2012). Programming and
planning in early childhood settings (5th ed.). Melbourne, Victoria:
Cengage Learning.
Images: Retrieved
28/3/2013 from Google Images www.google.co.nz
McNaughton, G., &
Williams, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children:
Choices in theory and practice (3rd ed.).Melbourne,Vic.: Addison Wesley Longman.
Ministry of Education.
(1996). Te Whāriki, He whārikimatauranga mo ngamokopuna o Āotearoa: Early
childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of
Education.(2007). The New Zealand
curriculum. New Zealand: Learning Media.
NAEYC,(n.d.).Technology and Young Children. Retrieved
from http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children
Smorti, S. (1999, Autumn)
Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 19.
KiOra Bina,
ReplyDeleteno doubt you have choose cameras to do your reflection, because cameras are one of the common technology which every centre uses including teachers and children. children are very curious about cameras because they see photos in books, computers, home etc. They also see teachers using cameras everyday. Also cameras are major components of our cell phones now. The children who don't have cameras they access the camera on their parents cell phones. Bina I have read a very good article about having digital cameras in early childhood centers. the article describe how cameras can help in learning mathematics. it was interesting fact for me and I was really amazed when I read this article. it gave me a new perspective about cameras. Handing over cameras to young children
can increase their level of ownership and
interest in the process of learning about
mathematics. Children become “young
ethnographers” who use cameras to record,
share and extend their learning experiences These processes also promote collaborative learning, questioning
and discussion among children about
mathematics concepts (Northcote, 2011). if you want to read the article here is full reference for you to read it.
Northcote, M. (2011). Teaching with Technology: Step Back and Hand over the Cameras! Using Digital Cameras to Facilitate Mathematics Learning with Young Children in K-2 Classrooms. Australian Primary Mathematics Classroom, 16(3), 29-32.
Hi Bina. Cameras are such that it draws a lot of children. Children enjoy playing with the buttonc clicking pictures and revisiting these pictures. They also enjoy talking about their pictures thus developing their language and communication skills. And yes cameras are everywhere.You have cameras in your moile phones, iphones, ipads and many other electronic devices. Cameras helpyou to capture those moments which will be cherished. Children through cameras learn to be social. It is amazing to see how children automatically become patient and tend to take turns when they are using technology. I have noticed in my centre that when you ask children to wait for their turn or share toys with their peers, they tend to be hesitant but when it comes to technplogy, children are so obedient in listening to instructions and waiting for their turn. Technology indeed is makig children to be "socially competent and be acceptable withi the group" (Santrock, 2010, p. 156).
ReplyDeleteThe following article highlights the use of digital cameras to enhance learning.
http://www.techknowlogia.org/TKL_Articles/PDF/473.pdf
Hi Bina, I enjoyed reading your refection and yes children seem to be fascinated by cameras. It is an amazing gadget that captures moments which are cherished forever. When I look at all the photos of my children as they were growing up, I am very thankful and glad of Cameras.
ReplyDeleteDigital photography boost's a child’s self-esteem, celebrate children’s interests, cultures, beliefs, challenge their thinking and help provide personalised resources,’ says Harriet Price an ICT advisor (Teaching expertise, 2008). As you empowered children to use the camera themselves with your guidance you were following the Ministry the Education guidelines. It states that they acquire skills, knowledge, attitudes fostered by the curriculum to take increasing responsibility for own learning and care MacNaughton & William, (2004). As children capture images and see them through the display in the camera, they can take photographs of things they like and don’t like; photograph their friends and be photographed themselves. Cameras can be beneficial to quiet and withdrawn children who can smile spontaneously as they see themselves in photographs and be encouraged to speak in a familiar environment. Technology is increasingly interwoven into the element of our everyday lives and children need to know how to use these tools which will become essential to staying competitive later on in life. Technology is today's world is such an integral part of children’s everyday lives that a learning environment without it would be completely out of touch with their own realities. Click on the link to view camera activities for children. http://www.squidoo.com/camera-activities-for-kids
Hi Bina! Children love playing with cameras and enjoy seeing what wonders it can produce in just one quick click. Soon as a child takes a picture, they want to see their pictures and this gives children opportunities to extend their exploration and learning. They become very excited and want to share their creations with others. Firstly children get to hold the camera, and then take snaps. If the photo comes blurry and messy, they take again and again until they find the perfect one. They learn about flash lights, shadows, colour and background. This gives them to develop social skills. While they handle this digital technology, they start to value it because cameras are quite expensive piece of tool. Children share ideas developing communication skills and also their hand eye coordination (Perry, 2013). Educators can extend on children’s learning about technology by introducing more technology tools and downloading photos and videos onto the computer and them printing off the photos, laminating and putting in their portfolios or on the walls. This allows children to revisit their activities and children learning can be taken on the next level. Digital technology allows teachers to capture and document children’s learning (Talay-Ongan). Digital technology opens the doors for language development, social interaction and increases children’s motivation.
ReplyDeleteI would like to share this website with useful information about digital cameras: http://www.examiner.com/play-video/video-portal/bare-faced-barbie?cid=PROG-RR-3-Video-NoMakeupBarbie-040313-7.30AM