Prairie (2005) declares that digital camera develops curriculum and considered
to be the “third eye” (p. 169) that it retains the images of children learning.
Whereas Johnston (2005) states that “children
find technology stimulating and motivating” (p. 144). These statements are so
true in a sense that develops children’s curiosity and interests to explore the
camera by taking photos. Taking photos
is the most captivating part of children’s experience with digital camera. It is
a very useful tool to capture children’s authentic learning every day.
We were playing at the sandpit when a three year old boy asked me for a
camera to take a picture for his sand castle.
I went inside and brought my own camera and gave it to him. Prairie (2005) suggests that “putting the
camera into the hands of the child, you will view the world from the mind of
the child” (p. 169). In other words,
whatever the child thinks and sees that is what you get. I showed him how to turn it on; and other key
functions of the camera. He started
taking pictures of his own sand castle, other things around the environment including
children and myself. Children managed to
take turns in using the camera. After taking
pictures we took turns to review all the photos taken. Children develop an understanding how the
camera works and learning new skills.
Therefore, I agree what Smorti (1999) states that “early childhood
centres needed to provide opportunities for children to explore technology” (p.
7). It is good to have open-minded in
order to extend children’s learning.
While children created their own language and knowledge; “children
develop the confidence to choose and experiment with materials, to play around
with ideas and to explore actively with all the senses” (Ministry of Education,
1996, p. 88). Allowing children to use
this piece of technology challenge them to use or apply what they
discover. It encourages children to
recognise the significant of their play and take ownership of their own
learning (Ministry of Education, 2007).
We printed photos and each child wanted to make his own story about his
photo. The children were able to capture
their memories and develop stories of their own. Listening to their conversation, they brought
up their family photos and they also have cameras at home. Children’s experience with the digital camera
has a positive impact with their cognitive skills. By sharing their own stories and ideas children
were able to recognise and discuss different information (Ministry of
Education, 1996). Revisiting children’s prior
experiences (taking photos) enhance children’s learning if teachers are will “to
create a supportive learning environment” and making connection to their prior
learning and experience (Ministry of Education, 2007). I strongly believe that children learn best
when teachers are attentive to children’s learning.
Children making connection to their family photos by using the camera
somehow has a sense of belonging in their memories. They were able to connect links between the
centre and home just by taking photos and looking at the images. It is a very useful tool to bring home to the
centre. Smorti (1996) stresses that “technology
is influenced by the culture or the society in which it occurs” (p. 6). Technology has a great impact in our culture
and society in many ways.
I appreciate Smorti’s comment
about introducing technology to educators. It is about changing attitudes, and
convincing people that they do not have to be experts in order to use any sort
of technology. It gives me courage to
take this challenge because I always have feeling that I cannot work it out.
References:
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki:
He whāriki
mātauranga
mō ngā
mokopuna o Aoteroa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning
Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007).
The New Zealand Curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Prairie, A. P. (2005). Inquiry
into math, science, and technology for teaching young children. Clifton,
Canada: Thomson.
Smorti, S. (1999, Autumn)
Technology in earlychild. Early Education, 19.
Very nice reflection, Sera! I also agree that the camera is a very good tool to use with the children (it's actually part of my second reflection!). I like the fact that this experience was child led, as in the child was the one who had the idea, and how you extended on his interests by talking about what was happening and making links to his home and family photos.
ReplyDeleteNice use of quotations and references to back up your ideas. I like how you used quotations and paraphrasing. I don't think I've read Prairie's book yet, so I'll have to look into it.
It's nice to hear that the children were deeply involved in the activity, giving their story based on the photos. It's always interesting to see things from other peoples point of views.
Just to warn you that you don't have a reference for Johnston in your reference list but besides from that very thorough reflection.
Good job!
Kapai Sera, this is such a wonderful reflection. It is nice to see you encouraging a child's interest using the digital camera. It is amazing how children learn quickly than us. I agree that tool like digital cameras assist our children to become competent and confident learners to carry on gaining new knowledge and skills (Ministry of Education, 1996). I am proud that how you facilitate children for turn taking as well as allowing them the chance to gain hands- on experience with the tool. I personally feel that digital cameras are an effective tool. I believe that it is our role as teachers to help children in different ways of experience in which they make sense of the world. I feel it is very important to foster children’s learning about technology as many learning outcomes focus on problem solving in everyday basic need. These ideas will assist in linking the child to wider world for example uploading photos of their families. In fact I got a chance to look in to Prairie’s book. I really enjoy reading your reflection
ReplyDeleteTino pai Sera. Your reflection is well written. I agreed with you that Prairie and Johnston(2005) statements are so true. Children use camera to take pictures things that they are interests and curious and the camera maintain the images that children are curious and interest therefore children can revisit their interests to reflect their memories. I like how you provided three years old boy a camera to take picture of his sand castle. When you provided him a camera, it allowed him to experience how camera works as well as allowed him to learn new skills. Te Whāriki states that children gain experience in using technology and develop understanding of how technology help them (Ministry of Education, 1996). This is good ideas that you printed out the pictures that child took and allowed him to make his own story. This is a good way to extend the children interests therefore he can revisit his learning anytime and it help him reflect the memory. Well done Sera
ReplyDeleteHello Sera!
ReplyDeleteThe reflection is very thoughtful. I do agree with you Sera, you do not need to be experts in order to use any sort of technology. I like the way you provided your own camera to a three year old boy. But Sera I am just wondering are you allowed to use own camera in your centre? After taking all the photos, did you delete all the photos? Because my centre approach is different from your centre. We are not allowed to use own technology tools in the centre such as own camera. We can only use centre’s cameras when we take photos of children’s play. I like the way you showed the child how to turn the camera on. However, it would be a great opportunity for the child if you let the child figure out on/off button by himself because sometimes young children know about technologies more than us. As stated in Te Whāriki children are capable and competence learners (Ministry of Education, 1996). It is great to see that the child is very confident with using technology tool (camera). I do agree with you that technologies give children confidences which make them become a capable and competence learners. It isn’t amazing how the child figure out so fast how camera works. It is because you provided him practical work/hands-on experience learning. Well done Sera!
As stated in Piaget’s theory children learn best through hands-on learning (Gonzalez-Mena, 2008). I like how you pointed out children were able to make connection with their family photos. Therefore children feel sense of belonging in their memories. Children in my centre also make connection with their family photos when they see photos in the centre. For an example, if they see I am taking photos of their cooking activity, the children would say ‘I have photos of my mummy cooking a cake at home’.