People, Places, Things and Events
Date: 01/09/11 Blog reflection 1: Technology: using a camera and computer
Teacher: Hayley
Child: S
Today I arrived at my centre and there was a boy using the teacher’s camera to take photo's of everyone and everything happening. He came up to me and asked me if he could take my photo. I said '' yes''. He told me to '' smile''. He then asked me if I could take a photo of him and I replied ''yes''. He asked me can I have a look at the photo's I’ve taken? I then got down to his level and showed him how we look through the photos that we have taken. He then continued to take photos of everyone and everything. He asked other teachers if he could take there photo to. After all of this the teacher came in and asked him shall we go and copy them to the computer for you to look at?. He then walked to the office with the teacher and copied them over. 
I was very surprised to see this child so interested in taking photos and he took some really good photos. I never really agreed to leaving children with centre cameras as in the past camera's have ended up coming back broken or they end up getting lost. But from this observation I now have a different outlook on camera use to children. I saw this young boy learning a lot from using the camera and he took great care of it when he was using it. I think as early childhood teachers we need to let children explore with different technology and that it is important for them as different technology is always being thought of and used in early childhood centres. By letting children explore and giving them opportunities to do so it will influence their lives forever. I believe that letting children see their own photo’s is a great way of letting them feel good about themselves. When a teacher lets the child come and help copy the photo’s to the computer I think this shows the children they are capable young learners and gives them the feeling what they contribute is just as important as what adults contribute. I think children need to feel recognised and it is important they have opportunities to discover and explore all sorts of technology. 
By children having opportunities to explore different technology they discover to make sense of their world by actively exploring. The children learn about using all their senses, and different tools and equipment/ materials to extend on to skills ( Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 86). Children also learn to represent discoveries they make by using expressive and creative media and technology that associates with it ( Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 88).
As early childhood educators we need to be aware we understand the modern technologies and how they can help us meet physical, social and most importantly the learning needs and skills of young children. As I mentioned about cameras getting broken or lost I now take a new outlook on this and believe we shouldn’t deprive children of technology. ‘’ No myth should be allowed to cloud our vision or prevent our use of effective tools ( Tsantis,
This experience this child is learning about using a digital camera and combining the use with the camera with using computer based software. This allows the teacher to enhance the learning experience for the child. Children learn that a technical skill being digital photography is able to be transformed to learning by creation of a learning story that is very visual ( Ministry of Education, 2009., Kei tua o te pae assessment for learning:,. P. 11).
References:
Ministry of Education. (2004). Kei tua o te pae assessment for learning: Early childhood
exemplers.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whaariki: He whaariki matauranga mo nga mokopuna o
Aotearoa. Wellington: Learning Media.
Tsantis, L.A., Bewick, C. J., & Thouvenelle, S.(2003). Examining some common about
computer use in the early years. Young Children. Vol 58 (1), pp. 1-9.
Pictures From Google Images
Pictures From Google Images
Before I worked in early childhood I also thought that cameras and other technology should not be used by children in case they get broken. Since working at a centre, I soon came to realise that children are more than capable of using cameras and other technological devices when appropriately supported by the teachers and more skilled peers (Santrock, 2008). It was awesome to see how this boy's interest was supported and further extended upon by you and the other teachers when taking him to transfer his photographs onto the computer for him to look at. I agree that children should be exposed to learning how to appropriately use various technological devices in order for them to “develop the ability to represent their discoveries, using creative and expressive media and the technology associated with them” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 88). By providing various opportunities and learning experiences that help to extend upon their current knowledge and skills, we encourage the children “to take responsibility for their own learning” (Ministry of Education, 2004, p. 19). The children also “develop an understanding that symbols can be “read” by others and that thoughts, experiences, and ideas can be represented through … photographs” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 78).
ReplyDeleteThis was a great learning experience. There are a lot of teachers out there that have the thought that children should not use cameras because they can get broken or lost however I do feel that it comes down to teaching and strategies. If children are taught how to use the camera and how to take care of them, then children will come to understand the value of the camera and how valuable or special it is. One strategy you could consider could be to put a lanyard on the camera and when children use the camera have it around there neck that way if the child does drop it, it will still be around the child neck. This way you or the other teachers are able to feel a little as ease. I strongly believe that children having the opportunity to use cameras provide us with the opportunity to see the environment and see things around the child through the child’s eyes that has meaning to the child. It provides children with a way of expressing themselves and exploring what is around them. When children are able to look back at the photos they have taken, children are able to feel a sense of accomplishment and a sense of ownership. A great idea that you could extend on could be to give the children the opportunity to take pictures and afterwards help load them on the computer and write a short sentence about the photo and make a book. I liked the way you showed the child how to look through the photos on the camera, this way the child is learning the operational functions of the camera. Great Job Hayley!
ReplyDeleteThis is very good learning for the little boy, he is very fortunate to have the opportunity to explore the use of digital camera and discovering the beauty and the art of photography as well. You and the teachers being involved in his interest enhances his learning too! I for one believe that children need a lot of encouragement from us adults as much as possible, however as teachers it is vital we must also be conscious of our opinions, comments, praises and encouragements to children because whatever we say to the child whether it is negative or positive can change a child’s life forever. The way you all have supported this little boy’s learning is excellent because it gave him great confidence to support his interest in technology photography. By entrusting the camera with this little boy will increase his confidence more as well to be more acquainted with the camera, learning how to handle the camera or which buttons to press to take a picture and also which buttons to press if he want to view the pictures been taken, we learn more when we actually do things or experienced it and that is exactly the kind of learning this little boy is encountering here. I will finish off by leaving with you the famous Chinese quote which I know best describes the learning that is happening here “I hear I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand.” Awesome job! Hayley! Kāpai!
ReplyDeleteSerena
ReplyDeleteCameras are a very good tool to enable children to document their everyday experiences. From reading everyone's blogs and my own existing knowledge of the opinions of other teachers it seems that in our industry their is a reluctance to provide this type of technology to our children. Because of this I personally bought my own digital camera a couple of years ago as I used it for my own documentation.
Children have often become interested in my camera as they see me using it to record what they are doing. It is now common to be approached by children and asked politely if they are able to take a picture themselves. You have also taken the step to overcome the barrier associated with this technology. It stays in the back of my mind that care, respect and responsibility are all key words associated with the use of my camera. I find that if this is explained clearly to a child they are able to recognise that this technology is not a toy to be thrown around, they learn that by respecting the technology they are able to become more a part of their own learning.
Linking the images that have been captured to your computer or screen further extend upon the possibilities that technology can bring to play. The teacher is able to demonstrate how the technology works, what outcomes are going to come from it and make interests more long term as the child is able to interact with a visible collection of their own work. Turning this collection of photos and brief comments into a book form can empower the child and bring great joy to their parents when they discover that their child is involved in a program that supports technological learning opportunities.