Tsantis, Bewick and Thouvenelle (2003) state “early childhood educators are confused about the value of using computers in their classrooms” (p.1). I am no exception to this belief. I have grown p around computers so I am aware of the benefits they provide. However I am still divided as to whether they should be used on a daily basis in centres.In my centre we allow children to use the computer independently through using learning designed software. However what I feel is great is that children are allowed on the internet with supervision of teachers. I strongly feel that allowing children access to the internet is important to further developing knowledge around topics. An example of this was when I was having a conversation with ‘K’. ‘K’ said “when the doctor looks in your stomach he cuts your throat and puts a tube in it to see your stomach”. This was shocking for me and I explained to ‘K’ that the doctor puts a tube down your throat. ‘K’ then asked what its name was. I personally had no ideas so I asked him if he would like to look it up on the internet. We proceeded to do this and I was shocked at how much he knew about activating the internet. ‘K’ could turn on the computer and manipulate the mouse to get onto the internet. I told ‘K’ the letters to type in and he competently did this. We then found the information and ‘K’ was happy with what we had found. Through this experience it has shown me how much I underestimated children’s abilities on the computer. Before I would have thought children would not know how to even turn on the computer-obviously I am seriously mistaken.
From my experiences with computers in centres I strongly believe that computers are beneficial to children’s learning. Not only do children foster their skills in becoming ‘technology literate’. I feel technology allows for sharing of information and relationships to be formed. Tsantis, Bewick and Thouvenelle (2003) discuss the myth that computers do not foster interaction and will over shadow the use of other materials in the classroom. I personally feel that computers do foster interaction as I have observed children working together to create pictures and find out new information via computers. However I do agree that if computers become a dependent tool in centres children will develop the investigating skills to find information from other sources. I absolutely love the discussion from Tsantis, Bewick and Thouvenelle (2003) which states “a well designed computer centre can elicit, encourage, and extend young children’s communication and collaboration” (p.7). I really feel this encompasses the learning and relationship building that children can gain through engaging with computers.
When observing children on the computer I found it absolutely amazing to see the children competently using the computer. I could not believe that children were able to create and manoeuvre around the computer with ease-it was like they were an ‘old hand’ at computers. Through using computers I feel children may “develop a structure of facts, concepts, principles, procedures and phenomena’ that will provide resources for the cognitive activities of knowing, understanding and reasoning” (Greeno, 1991, cited in Siraj-Blathford, 2006, p. 2). I have seen children develop understanding topics in more depth through research on the computer. Furthermore I believe children further develop their competencies in using computers, which will benefit them later in this technology driven world.
I feel the software on computers in which children engage in provide for understandings of how computers work. Children are able to see that clicking buttons produce a new screen to appear. Through this new actions can be taken to produce information, create pictures and review personal aspects (such as photos and videos of the children). I strongly feel children can gain discovery through computers and can view the world through a different medium.
Haughland & Wright (1997) cited in Saracho & Spodek (2008) mention through computer play children experience “a period of discovery, which is then followed by involvement, self confidence and creativity” (p.93). This demonstrates the learning that children can gain through using computers and I strongly agree that children discover new experiences through computers, they involve computers as part of their life and furthermore they can gain self confidence in using the computer and expressing themselves through means associated with technology.
Ministry of Education (2009) mentions that through computer usage children are “trying to find out what it does while at the same time learning how to use a new tool for inquiry that will be practical for other explorations” (p.5). While I agree that computers hold great opportunities for learning and development, I do not want them to become a dependable tool in which children leave other forms of exploration (such a books, sand and being in the fresh air) being. While computers are important in our world today children need to be exposed to many environments that will enhance their learning.
I am amazed in children’s abilities on the computer and I can see that computers have a strong influence on children. Therefore I will provide opportunities for children to engage with computers; however I will be mindful of the time spent on it. In all I can see that children need to have an understanding of computers (many already do), through engaging in computers with children, information will be able to shared, you never know children may teach you a thing or to about computers J
References:
Ministry of Education. (2004). Kei tua o te pae assessment for learning: Early childhood exemplars. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Saracho, O.N., & Spodek, B. (2008). Contemporary perspectives on science and technology in early childhood education. North Carolina, United States of America: Information Age Publishing Inc.
Siraj-Blatchford, I., & J. (2006). A guide to developing the ICT curriculum for early
childhood education. Staffordshire, England: Trentham Books Limited.
Tsantis, L.A, Bewick, C.J., & Thouvenelle, S. (2003). Examining some common
myths about computer use in the early years. Young Children 58 (1), p. 1-9.
All Photos from www.google.com
Hey Nic, Great blog. Well you know me and computers but i totally agree with what you are saying and believe that it is great for children to gain knowledge. Computers are part of our everyday live in our home and our centres. Using computers to extend a child's and your own knowledge in the way you done so is great. This allowed K to gain the information and understand the whole doctor and cutting the throat better. He gained the correct method of what a doctor would do to further his knowledge. I also agree with we need to have a balance so children do not lose the art of playing, reading books and communicating in other ways. How do you believe we can balance the computer and modern world with a child's outdoor natural environment? Well Done
ReplyDeleteGood blog Nicola; I agree with Claire, computers are a great tool for cognitive development and the example you shared about K was every insightful. The example demonstrates Vygotsky's theory of scaffolding (using the computer to find out want the tube was called).
ReplyDeleteI also feel that you have a good sense for what children require throughout the day, by the comment you made about how you felt children also needed other forms of exploration (sandpit, fresh air,etc)as well as computers.
Nicola keep up the good work, i truly believe you are well on the way to becoming a very good teacher.
Andrew
Hi Nic
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading your post and I agree with you that computers when used correctly can be a great tool for learning and can have many wonderful benefits for children.I feel like a hypocrite when I write this though because although I support computers in the centre, I don't let my children use them at home and the computer at our centre is currently switched off and the children just look at it.Uncanny isn't it? With my children its more of a "No the computers not for you you've already got your xbox and psp and ipod touch you've got enough" besides the latest gizmos and gadgets these days can do everything a computer can but the truth is the computer is mine and i dont want to share it end of story. With my centre its more along the lines of us not being bothered with turning it on and reinstalling the programmes. I totally agree that there needs to be a balance and that is what I have in my home with my own children. At my centre the computer is currently not in use so I cant comment any further on that but i guess I could make the effort to get it going again because I do understand the importance of preparing children for the future, a future of technology and needing ICT skills so the best place to start learning these skills is now. Nicola you are a wonderful teacher and I think any child would be lucky to be in your care and because of your post I am going to go into work tomorrow and get that computer going!
Nicola, I loved to read this blog about computers in early childhood. In my experience as a teacher I have never had a computer in the room for the children I work with as I have always worked with under 3 year olds. Therefore I have never been able to see the benefits first hand.
ReplyDelete“It seems that while society in general has enthusiastically embraced technology, early childhood educators have resisted the outright endorsement of classroom computer use for young children” (Tsantis, Bewick & Thouvenelle, 2003, p.1). As you have talked about in your blog, I think it is important to be open to computers keeping in mind to use them in moderation. I really admire the way you use the computer with children, giving them opportunities to engage and discover what computers have to offer.
I am curious; do you have to pre-look up sites to make sure they are safe before you take the children on the computer? Are there any rules in place for teachers and children about computers? Thank-you for another great blog Nicola! I have learnt lots through reading your blog and hearing about your experiences and learning.
Reference:
Tsantis, L.A., Bewick, C. J., & Thouvenelle, S. (2003). Examining some common myths about computer use in the early years. Young Children. Vol 58 (1).