Saturday, 24 August 2013

Technology - will we ever keep up?

Reflection One - 8th August 2013

There has been an interest with some of the children in the centre wanting to write letters.  From this we have been looking at the changes in technology regarding the recording of information.  Children have the opportunity within the centre to experience technology which can be used in reading and writing (Ministry of Education, 1996).  The centre has borrowed an electric typewriter which the children have all taken an interest in.

The significance of this technology was for the children to see and touch it.  Because it is an item of the past children would be able to see what it was like through photo's in books, on the computer or watch it being used on you tube.  Having the typewriter in the centre allowed the children to also experience it first hand.

Initially what appeared to be an item which was familiar to the parents and teachers was so outdated especially in comparison with what the children in the centre are exposed to today.  Even though I had experience on an electric typewriter it took the teachers and parents 20 minutes to work out the setting so the children could just type.  It was noticed however, how quickly the children picked up the skills to use this technology.  Even the younger children through observing the older children using the technology were loading the paper.  Children are exposed and are competent in a wide range of technologies used in the centre, at home and their wider world (Fleer & Jane, 2011).     

What is the technology?  Using this technology allows us to create and store information making it easier to change several times if necessary. Technology is always changing and by allowing children exposure to different types of technology will spark their curiosity for investigation. 

Having the knowledge and skills to develop their own ideas and opinions children will need to meet these in order to participate in this world (Smorti, 1999).  Exposing children also to technology of the past where they can see the changes will enable them to be more knowledgeable in making changes for the future.    These early experiences are foundational for future learning experiences and provide children with starting points as they move into their school years (Ministry of Education, 1996).

 
 
Some of the children then went on to make their own collage typewriter.  I felt this was important for the children to be creative in designing their own model to record information.  Child "L" designed the roller for the paper which included a rubber band to hold the paper.  Different forms of adhesives were used until the problem was solved using masking tape.  Child "L" then shared her knowledge
with the other children to achieve the same result.
 
Child "K's" interest was focused on the mechanics of how it worked.  "This is my typewriter and if I push one of these buttons they'll go bang, bang, bang, bang...".  For "K's" finished collage typewriter she had placed an ice block stick from the keys to the paper which was attached with tape and could be flicked against the roller.  "K" had achieved the sound she wanted.  



References:

Fleer, M., & Jane, B. (2011). Design and technology for children. Frenchs Forest, Australia: Pearson Australia.

Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum.  Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.

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





 

1 comment:

  1. Jo; It has been great to see the different technology that is used in your centre. I really enjoyed reading your reflection “Technology - will we ever keep up?” Incorporating an electric typewriter into the children’s learning, what a great way to encourage reading and writing for children. I agree with you that nothing beats a hands on experience; this typewriter experience allowed the children to truly experiment with the technology. I really liked that you have allowed children to see where technology has come from rather than placing a computer in front of them. I agree that having this knowledge of past technology will allow the children to better understand and change technology in the future.
    I also really liked how the children’s learning of the typewriter was extended through collage. It was great to see that the children could use the knowledge that they had gained from the typewriter and how it works and used it to make their own typewriters. It really is amazing what children can do. To further extend the children’s knowledge of older technology you could explore other technology from the past. For example; old telephones or film cameras where the children can develop an understanding of the process of developing film.

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