Final Reflection

As everyone stated in their final reflection this assignment gave me great opportunity to understand the depth of technology. As Siraj-Blatchford (Siraj-Blatchford, 2004, p. XI) explains, “educational technology, like most other forms of technology, provides us with a range of tools that may be applied to solve problems and make our work easier.”

In class early on in the semester I remember that I said I prefer that early childhood has little contact with technology. But now through engaging more actively with the topic I understand the importance to adapt technology.

Maybe my main reason for having been more reserved about technology is my personal lack of confidence in technology. But this assignment really convinced me that technology is here to stay and cannot be marginalised in today’s world. This is even more true for the new generation of digital natives that we as teachers need to support and prepare for life. As Smorti (1999, p. 5) explains, technology is about helping people and solving problems. I need to realise that it is nothing to be afraid of. Children today are growing and developing together with digital technology, and we need to be part of this development. Research shows that “computers are more likely to be valuable instructional tools when teachers are personally comfortable using them (Tsantis, Bewick, & Thouvenelle, 2003, p. 3).”

Reading other group members’ blog posts about non digital technology, I felt I can be more appreciative about what we have around us and how this makes our life easier. We as teachers should give children opportunities to get familiar with technology. If we try to prohibit it we risk to create insecurities and lack of confidence in children’s use of technology. Technological practice, technological knowledge and nature of technology is also firmly rooted as technology strands in the New Zealand Curriculum (Ministry of Education, 2007, p. 32). Having said that, and as was discussed in every blog, about it is important to find a good balance of use between technology, especially digital technology and “screen time” and non-technological activities. Digital and other technologies also don’t need to be seen as purely separate to non-technological activities. Both can perfectly complement each other. The internet is a rich source to research topics such as animals or other cultures that can then be utilised in other areas such as the creative and expressive arts.

Another aspect of technology in terms of early childhood is not only for children, it is also for adults and teachers.  Many times members of my group discussed about appreciation of technology. Modern tools such as digital cameras and computers can assist to make it much easier to make a learning story. Blogs as these are great tools for communication, not only within a group, but also with other professional educators around the world as well as researchers, parents and other people who have a strong interest in education. It is increasingly easy to use complementing tools, to watch and share videos and photos online (while keeping privacy concerns in mind).

This assignment is a great opportunity to learn how to create a blog, how to post and communicate with people. Hong (2008, p. 37) concludes that “as a powerful tool that enhances communication, foster[s] critical thinking, and encourages collaborative learning, blogs have a great potential in education.”


References

 Hong, W. (2008). Exploring educational use of blogs in US education. US-China Education Review, 5(10), 34–37.

Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media Limited.

Siraj-Blatchford, J. (2004). Developing New Technologies for Young Children. Stoke on Trent, United Kingdom: Trentham Books.

Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 19, 5–10.

Tsantis, L. A., Bewick, C. J., & Thouvenelle, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about computer use in the early years. Beyond the Journal: Young Children. Retrieved from http://people.uncw.edu/Kermanih/Edn430/CommonTechnoMyths[1].pdf

Hyperlinks

My comment to Deepika

http://deepika-lingam.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/a-new-television-over-week-it-was-very_16.html?showComment=1345283020496#c2721082621168310466

http://deepika-lingam.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/scissors.html?showComment=1346588342432#c7015600869693979484

My comment to Priya

http://priyachand31.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/digital-video-camera.html?showComment=1345283302552#c8970466132524353107

http://priyachand31.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/glue-gun.html?showComment=1346403994486#c3430223165661284315

http://priyachand31.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/computer-computer-has-become-important.html?showComment=1346585902327#c7948285681975196033

My comment to Bhavna

http://bhavnagorsia.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/technology-for-toddlers.html?showComment=1345283467060#c3453131948620047070

http://bhavnagorsia.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/say-cheeseclick.html?showComment=1346404263236#c7331926143229244626

http://bhavnagorsia.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/lets-paint.html?showComment=1346584489878#c7591776310796454961

My comment to Tuluiga

http://tuluiga194.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/cd-player.html?showComment=1346403670018#c47753027456223932

http://tuluiga194.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/technology-for-young-children.html?showComment=1346583987931#c1371965910184835975

My comment to Shamiza

http://shamizanisha.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/poi-non-digital-technology.html?showComment=1346584616240#c2442522534951949678

http://shamizanisha.blogspot.co.nz/2012/08/phones-are-fun.html?showComment=1346585194892#c8747298109516216434