Capturing Technology
The use of digital
camera is a fun way for children to explore and extend learning in ICT and
other curriculum areas
As I explore
more of technology with children, I decided that introducing the use of digital
camera would be very effective to extend their ICT skills whilst exploring the
curriculum as whole. Digital cameras have been part of early childhood
education for a long time. However, I wanted to shift children’s role from photographed
to photographers!
Johnston
(2005) was able to put into words my view about technology in early childhood
education: that ICT are not here to substitute firsthand experiences but rather
to extend or trigger them. How great for children to have the opportunity to
document their learning and experiences through their own lenses! As children
explore and experiment, the digital camera is giving them the chance to capture
their view of the world.
The other
teaching staff was reluctant to hand the centre’s camera to the children.
Luckily, I had an older camera that I don’t use anymore and I volunteered to
bring it for children’s use. I want the digital camera to be a constant
resource of teaching and learning.
I had
planned to introduce the camera during a mat time. As I should have anticipated,
as digital natives that they are, most children knew all the main functions of
a digital camera! Some children took turns, to come up and share what they knew
about digital cameras, others explained the basic functions. All children had
the chance to make and answer questions. It was a valid opportunity for
children to exercise their self-perception as competent and confident learners
that bring a valuable contribution to our setting. (Ministry of Education,
1996).
I also discussed with children possible interesting
things they wished to photograph. There were many different interests displayed,
some were “the sandpit”, “the babies”, “our morning tea” and “the garden” among
others. This shows how digital cameras can also enhance children imagination
and it can be an effective tool to extend on children’s interests through
active exploration.
The children
were all very excited and confident at using the camera. I had assisted some of
the children. However, children required minimal assistance. It was great to
see that children were as enthusiastic and positive as I was in relation to
this new available technology. As with all experiences in early childhood,
having positive attitude towards technology experiences will help them to
become more skilled and positive toward s the use of technology in their lives.
In order to
extend on this first experience, I decided to download the photos into the
children’s computer the next morning as they would all be present. They were
fascinated by “how you can get all the pictures in the computer like magic”!
The children decided to name their folder “Pukeko’s pictures”, having ownership
of their work it is great way to develop their sense of empowerment and
belonging! I was aware of and tried to use as much technologic terms as my abilities
allowed.
MacNnaughton
and Williams (2009) suggest that digital photos can be used to encourage
children to, verbally, describe or tell a story about them. I thought this
would be very interesting as this room has a big emphasis on literacy skills. I
suggested this idea and the children were very keen. They helped to print the photos,
cut and paste them to make books.
Well, I am
just so amazed at the endless learning opportunities the digital camera can
offer us! Especially, how it can be used to enhance learning across the
curriculum and at the same time support so many ICT skills! I am very positive
about its use and so are the other teachers. As a teacher, I am aware that I
need to increase my familiarity with technological terms in order to support
children ICT skills and to be able to offer support to some of the less skilled
teachers. Yes, I have been learning a lots...but there is still a long way to go!!
Hi Manu,
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I think it was a great idea giving the children the opportunity to be the photographers. I agree that we do see things from a child's lens when they have the camera because they photograph the things that are important to them or are of interest and their learning.It doesn't surprise me that children at a young age are already familiar with cameras.Yes having the photos printed gives children something tangible that they can talk about with their peers and everyone else. Maybe the book can also include some open ended questions to encourage the children's thinking process. This reflection sounds like it was a great experience with the children and something I might try with them to follow their interests and learning. Thanks
Kia ora Manu(:
ReplyDeleteOnce again i enjoyed this read. I loved how you were able to allow the children to become the photographers and seeing the world from their perspective. This to me showed that children are competent and confident learners. It was cool how you were able to extend the children's learning further by showing the children how to upload the pictures on the computer than helped the children create a book out of the photos that the children took. I think this is a great idea and one that i will use. I also agree with Ana's comment with including open ended questions with the children to help encourage the children's thinking process, but i think i might take this idea myself(:. lol. once again good read!
Bom Dia Manu,
ReplyDeleteGreat read you really captures the enjoyment that technology can bring. As teachers we should try to see things from the childs perspective on a everyday basis and what better way than to give them a camera to capture this. I was in the same boat as you last year with the teachers being reluctant to hand over centre cameras as they can be expensive how every we had a few staff meetings and decided it was important. so together we decided to buy two digital cameras strictly for children use only and it has turned out great the children can take the camera when they want and in turn have learnt to take care of them. we teachers then download the photos to the children's computer and put on a slideshow that is shared at mat time and the children talk about the previous day at the Kindy. cameras are great for children to recall their day and have become a integral part of our centre. I suggest you talk about this with your staff as children taking ownership of the cameras encourage them to learn to take care of their resources and its such a great experience that give the teachers an excellent chance to see what interest the children the opportunities are endless. excellent reflection Manu KA PAI
Hey Manu
ReplyDeleteI think your ideas are pretty cool. I do often see the problem of teachers allowing the children to use more expensive items for fear of breakage. I love that you didn’t let that stop you from pursuing your idea. I think allowing the children to document what they think is important during the day will give teachers an insight into their ideas and interests, rather than just documenting what the teachers felt was interesting. I think you could expand this into developing more ICT skills with the children so they learn how to print pictures but maybe also make slideshows and upload them to the centres website or blog if you have that. We as teachers are there to empower children (Ministry of education, 1996) and you have enabled that with what you have done. Next you may want to expand on that or maybe even find some other less used resources to continue their exploration.