Ipad- Digital Technology
In the advance world, technologies
play very important role in day to day life. In early childhood settings,
teachers should provide new technology to children and encourage them to
explore these technologies. “Technology makes enterprising use of its own
particular knowledge and skills, together with those of other disciplines.
Graphics and other forms of visual representation offer important tools for
exploration and communication” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p.32).
2013 will be an exciting time at my centre.
The laptops are gone and have been replaced with new learning tools, ipads. On
Monday morning when I went to the centre, child ‘B’ came to me and said “Bina
guess what we got in centre.” “I said I don’t know”. “He asked me to gonad see
our room”. “I said give me some hints”. “He said ok, I give you clue”. “He said
it has flat screen and you can use your fingers only”. “I was thinking and I
was observing him. He was so excited and finally he said to me “we got new ipad
Yha”. “We are not using computer any more hurray…….” “Children use a variety of
technologies for different purposes as they explore their world” (Ministry of
Education, 1996, p.98).
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Child ‘D’ was busy playing outside
with his friend. I saw ‘D’ and his friend looking for something. When I asked
him “what u guys doing behind the tree” and he replied to me “we were finding
‘lady bug’”. Child ‘E’ said “Bina look I found a lady bug”. Listening to
children is important to teachers as its providing information about children’s
social relationship. By listening to his comments and ideas, teachers can plan
what action should be next (MacNaughton & Williams, 2009). I asked and
offered them if they wanted to find some pictures of lady bug on ipad through
the internet. They all said ‘yes’ and then we went inside so they can use ipad and
find pictures of lady bug and get all the information about lady bug.
We got six new ipads which is enough
while we share. ‘D and his friends’ went and sat at the table and I directed
him through the process of turning on the ipad first and clicking on search web by typing Google and then typing lady bug. “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). Looking at lady
bug pictures he was so happy. Te Whāriki
suggests 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).
This touch technology suits a wide
variety of learning styles. Using an ipad is a fun, tactile, hands-on
experience and is very engaging for children. The children are encouraged to
explore and discover with their fingers- tapping, dragging, rotating, swiping
and pinching to manipulate images on the screen. They are motivated to stay
focused, take risks, explore and discover. Ipad can be used anywhere. Learning
experiences that were previously inconceivable are now possible.
The children will still work
alongside different partners to develop important social and communication
skills and also emotional competencies, i.e taking turns, discussing ideas,
getting confidence also learn how to be organised, listen carefully to
instructions and respect other people. Through this process the children were
developing self –esteem and also developed their fine motor skills and hand-eye
coordination.
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 31/3/2013 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.
Wow Bina a realyy interesting reflection. And yes, ipads are amazing as it lets you to access a wide range of information in seconds. The video was really interesting as well as it shows the confidence of the two year old boy using the ipad. He knew exactly how to use the ipad, which application to tap on and what to choose. The child was in total control of what he was doing. He was building a perception about himself as a confident and competent learner (Ministry of Education, 1996). Your centre buying six ipads show that slowly the education system is moving towards educating their children about technology.It is not about teaching them the theory part but providing them with opportunities where they can get hands on experience. Teachers paly an important role in harnessing the best out of this technology by guiding and facilitating their learning experiences (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer,2008). However teachers need to be aware of how they introduce and use this technology as a learning resource. Educators who lack technology skills and digital literacy are at risk of making inappropriate choices and using technology with young children in ways that can negatively impact learning and development (Guernsey, 2013). Although there are many benefits to using ipads, parents nad teachers should be mindful that children are not used as guinea pigs to test the effectiveness of such technology in the name of "best practice".
ReplyDeleteThe follwimg link to a you tube video how teachers in a preschool has used ipads to prepare childre for bigger schools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Krf52MtO5wE
Bina, indeed the children in your centre are lucky to have received the latest and modern technology as IPad’s to develop their learning. By including ICT technology such as Ipad’s into learning opportunities at kindergarten allows teachers to support children connecting with and making sense of the world around them. For children and families who don’t have access to computers and other technology at home, including ipads into kindergarten provides an introduction to resources that many people today take for granted. I commend your initiative to assist and extend the children’s interest about the lady bugs through the use of iPad. You clearly promoted learning that was purposeful, meaningful and enjoyable for children. With this experience with children you really encouraged them to create, explore, invent, discover, question and experiment to construct their knowledge and enrich their understanding of the world around them. This is definitely supported by the curriculum Te Whāriki, which states that children develop the ability to represent their discoveries, through the use of creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them (Ministry of Education, 1996). I found an interesting article that explores about the enlightenment and the application of iPad on children's play based on the brain science theory. Further issues including the characteristics of iPad, children's well-rounded whole development and the teaching strategies in children's play are discussed as well so this could be useful. Here’s the reference: Mei-Ju, C., & Hung-Chang, L. (2012). The application of the ipad on children's play- based on brain science theory. International Journal Of Organizational Innovation, 5(1), 296-308.
ReplyDeleteHi Bina! Yes I agree that iPads are the very effective and time saving digital touch screen device that is every child’s favourite. iPads provide fun learning environment for the children. In today’s world, children as young as infants play with iPads and it was interesting to see the toddlers using iPad in your video clip. It is interesting to know that your centre goes hand in hand with technological devices. Very soon every individual will be relying on technology for faster and easier lifestyle. Therefore we as educators need to prepare our futures of tomorrow (children) so they become confident and competent learners (Ministry of Education, 1996). As Smorti, (1999) says that educators need to have the knowledge and understanding in order to teach the children. Children learn faster through hands-on active exploration for them to act and react. iPads are easier to use and is quick rewarding. iPads enhances literacy and numeracy skills, general knowledge such as transportation, food and more. iPads are beneficial for children but if inappropriate contents are accessed, then it will have negative effect on children therefore educators need to be very cautious of what children see.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the centre environment must be inclusive of everyone, despite of their differences such as culture, language, disability. Children with special needs should be given equal opportunities to work with both digital and non-digital technologies. In fact there are benefits for autistic children while using iPads.
Following link shows benefits of iPads for children with autism http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slUrZ24gMJQ
How lucky the children in your centre Bina. it is good that you have six I pads in your room. Children can share them in different groups. Yes it is very important that as educators we need to give children time and space to explore with the new technology (Ministry of Education, 1996). An iPad is a real tool in our world today, and children see us using it. Why should we say: this is only for grownups, not for you? "the iPad was designed to be intuitive, and children are capable of using it without instructions" (Pittsburgh, 2009). The iPad can be used as a communication device, choice board or vocabulary builder. It can also be used to improve fine motor skills, increase receptive language and to motivate children during therapy sessions. The iPad is a mainstream device that can be used in school, community, or at home without singling out the child using it. This might not be an important factor for a toddler, however, if the iPad is going to be used long term this is something that should be considered. It is also a relatively cheap device when comparing it to other communication devices on the market (Pittsburgh, 2009).
ReplyDelete