Final Reflection

My reflection on technology led to capturing special moment of children's interest with hammers. I had not thought of these tool or equipment as technology until my mind was broaden by information which was exposed to us in class. I allowed this experience to be viewed by my mates so they are able to comment and add onto what I could have missed or extend with this technology.

The comments from both Emma and Liyanz was greatly appreciated as they both contributed by giving suggestions which I know will be very helpful to children's growth in this technology. I have continued this  interest by surfing the net for more information on different types of hammers as Emma suggested. Amazingly there are many more new technology of hammers which has been invented and they come in all size and shapes. This links to Liyanz thoughts of technology embracing the intelligence of people who invented it.

Great ideas have been expressed by both Liyanz and Emma of what I could do to extend children's knowledge and understanding in technology. I know these ideas will lead to experience of a life time. My thoughts towards what I have learnt from my friends blogs on technology has really blown me away.

Reading each individual blogs has open so much learning and experiences that I could also do at my centre. I realise that most blogs explored digital camera's and computers. Some centre's had limited resource but still managed to open opportunities for children to explore and experience technology within their centre. I learnt support, encouragement, guidance and providing children with technology will help to increase children's knowledge to make sense of their wider community.

Learning about technology has caused me to reflect on what do I know about technology children interact with in their daily lives? What about my own experiences with technology?
These reflective question helped me to come to realisation that I am not very good with most technology, especially the computer. Computer has to be my worst enemie, but I am slowly starting to enjoy it a little bit more because of what I have learnt.

I believe giving children simple basic teaching on how to use a computer will increase their capabilities. Talay-Ongan (2005) states, "children's use of computers, television, video, CD, DVD players and cameras enables them to access a world of animation and imagination, story, music and movement in enriched and engaging ways" (p.226). I have learnt that technology is a useful tool  in early childhood as these items and equipment will help develop children's thinking, language, and imagination to grow.

Words can't explain the significance technology has on children. Simple things like cooking materials, beds, baby bottles, teets, all been designed to solve problems and help people (Smorti, 1999) especially children. When I look at most of the technology that has been created, the inventor has put a lot of thought towards the product. These inventors have done their research on people of all ages.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this new learning of blogging. I found it frustrating at first but then as I continued to persevere with it, I gain knowledged of how to manipulate the controls so that I was able to continue with my blog. I now know how to hyper link my work and I am over the moon proud of myself. This task has helped me to grow so much I am loving every moment of it.

Technology has done wonders in children's lives as well as parents and teacher's. Our society is changing rapidly and so are the technology. I am finally able to embrace technology with open arms thanks to my friends and their contribution towards my blog.

Kia kite ano.

Links to my comments....

 Emma's blog.
Comment 1 - overhead projector
Comment 2 - video camera

 Luahine's blog.
Comment 1 - use the computer 
Comment 2 - exposed to mobile phones
Comment 3 - allowing you to use the camera

Mel's blog.
Comment 1 - views on cooking technology
Comment 2 - learning with glue gun


Liyanz's blog.
Comment 1 - develop skills in using computer
Comment 2 - experience with the digital camera 


Daranne's blog,
Comment 1 - computer is a useful tool
Comment 2 - feed the worms
Comment 3 - different types of technology

Hammer, Hammer, Hammer

I watched 'B' and 'T' work on the carpentry table side by side. Both 'B' and 'T' had the same interest of tools. They both chose a hammer each and straight away began to use it to their advantage. Although 'B' and 'T' had the same interest of tool, they did not have the same the concept of creativity. 'B' chose a rectangle piece of wood, two gold round tin lids and nails. He hammered the two tin lids onto the piece of wood and created two wheels. As for 'T', she also used nails to join two piece of wood together to create a box.

I went home reflecting still on this tool. Asking myself What is important about a hammer? What is it's purpose? Is it a useful tool? Questioning myself led to realisation that I have little knowledge about this technology. I know that a hammer is a tool that is very useful  to deliver an impact to an object, mainly nails. It is also to yank nails up using its claws on the opposite side. There are other ways this tool is used for but this is the only use of hammer I know is common.

The hammer was designed for a specific purpose. One of those purpose is to be popular with builders. Exposing children to the hammer will help them to develop knowledge and skills of how shelters were put together. A hammer is a essential tool to have.  It has a great impact on our children's learning because this will open our children's mind to what is out there in our society. The hammer has been around for years but it has upgraded from a rock head to a steel head. The technology has upgraded for the better. It has been magnificently well designed and well developed. Providing this tool will foster children's learning physically and cognitively. It will help build children's strength within their arms and they will be able to control every blow at their own pace. Children will gain awareness of different strokes.

I do reccomend this tool to be used if it's a interest of a child. After searching and seeking for more information about hammer's through the internet, I came across so many different hammers that were created. Not only did it have different shapes and sizes, but also different names for each hammer and it's purpose. It is good that the hammer don't require power. It is a physical tool for all who are interested in building something.

This is a good introduction to the significant use of this technology. I know learning of this tool will benefit children as well as adults.

Te Whaariki states, " using many materials for different purposes enable children to recognise that different technologies may be used in various places and settings" (Ministry of education, 1996, p.95).

Exploring using a hammer will give great pleasure and satisfaction for children. Being able to hit something without been told not to is a good way of unloading stress or bitterness. Learning will enhance if children are willing to learn.

  

  

Hammer, Hammer, Hammer

I watched 'B' and 'T' work on the carpentry table side by side. Both 'B' and 'T' had the same interest of tools. They both chose a hammer each, and straight away began to use it to their advantage. Although 'B' and 'T' had the same interest of tool, they did not have the same concept of creativity. 'B' chose a rectangle piece of wood, two gold round tin lids and nails. He hammered the two round tin lid onto the piece of wood and created two wheels. As for 'T', she also used nails to join two piece of wood together to create a box.

How does this computer work?

Today I observed 'D' as he headed straight for the computer. He sat down and started to take hold of the mouse. 'D' manoeuvred the mouse around using his right hand and that's all he revealed to know. I continued to watch him as he tried to understand how to manipulate this tool. So I sat down beside him still observing his every movement and asked him if he needed my help? 'D' replied by saying, "yes please". So I scaffolded 'D', by showing him how to control the mouse. Simple instructions was given to 'D' till he understood how this tool worked and when he was confident  he was able to enjoy his new learning.

Learning about how to manoeuvre the mouse requires skills and concentration. It includes good fine motor-skills and good eye-hand coordination. As I guided 'D' through his curiosity of how the computer works, I realise children are learning a combination of which finger to use. The child's brain will eventually be computerised with knowledge of which part of the body they need to use for this technology.

Children will learn it takes great patient and determination to overcome the curiosity that is within them. Computer is not a easy technology to learn but eventually with more practice you will become skillful at it.  So the question that needs to be ask is how would this foster children's learning?

To me children will develop skills that will add knowledge to their learning about this technology. It will enhance children's confident in what they do. Most importantly teacher's are the role model for children and as Tsantis,
Bewick & Thouvenelle (2003) quotes, "it is the teacher's knowledge and skills about how to use the technology that makes the difference, not the technology itself" (p.4).

I reflected on this quote and realise the importance of having knowledge, skills and understanding about computers. The computer is filled with instructional programmes. This is a contribution of learning that children will eventually learn is how to follow instruction. Children will also have an awareness that it is the person that actually controls the tool.

Children will gain new skills and gain confident in themselves that they are capable learners. Te Whaariki states "as part of a world revolution in communication, technology, work and leisure, children will need to develop confidence in themselves and be able to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills" (Ministry of education, 1996).

The computer is a very useful tool for our everyday use. Knowledge and skills will increase with children as their generation are exposed to new tools everyday. I really like that fact we are able to control what we can put into our computers for children. I am stressing learning programmes that children are able to use for learning.  This is important to have programmes specifically designed to "elicit, encourage, and extend young children's communication and collaboration" (Tsantis, Bewick & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.7)

Increasing knowledge with technology is a wonderful thing

Amazing thing call technology. I captured 'J' working on her drawing. She was so engrossed with her work she didn't realise I was obseving her. 'J' was able to make choices with the different colors that was available for her. She knew exactly what she wanted for drawing. 'J' revealed good knowledge and understanding with colors she used in her drawing. She was very confident and was glad she had a variety of colors she can work on.

As I observed 'J' she knew exactly what she was doing. But what captured my attention was the different colors she was using. 'J' used the color orange for the body, blue for the shoes. and red for the clothes. She continued by coloring in the face with the color blue. I was curious why 'J' did that. So I asked 'J' and she told me she was drawing her dad. I continued observing the other colors she used. The tool is very useful because it helps children to develop skills and make decisions for themselves so they "grow up as confident and competent learners" (Ministry of education, 1996, p. 9).

This tool opens opportunities for children to be creative in mixing colors and gain knowledge with different combination. The technology fosters children's "capability in solving practical problems contributes to self-confidence and well-being" (p.94).

If tools are attractive and eye catching for the children it will always capture their interest and curiosity. As Piaget says they are little investigators who like to explore and make sense of their own world. I believe felt tip pens are a well thought idea which really does help children with their development in their literacy skills as well as their fine/gross motor skills. There are variety of options for children to make as they use these tools. If children are offered a variety of options in early age they will develop confident and knowledge in making right choices for themselves.

Offering children these opportunities helps them to grow "experience in solving problems and develops children's understanding of how technologies can help them and others" (p.96). Having these tools increases children's way of thinking. They are able to express their feelings by using different colored pens to draw on paper. Different colors reveals different expressions within a child's thoughts. So therefore the felt tip pens are a useful tool that I do not really have to push children to use because they will always be attracted to these tools.

Other experiences are gained as children use the tools for "communication technologies such as crayons, paintbrushes, pencils. calculators, books, and computers" (p.97). It is important to provide for children tools that will enhance their learning. Seeing each child develop is a exciting part of my observation, and offering children those options of tools also is a big contribution.