Final Reflection
Although
this my final reflection on the significance of technology on children’s
learning and development, I see it as just a part of the teaching and learning
cycle. I feel this way because I acknowledge that my own learning process about
technology is still in the early stages. In saying that, I recognize this
blogging experience as a very enriching and meaningful learning experience for
me.
Wang (2008)
discusses some of the benefits of using blogs as a powerful and current
teaching and learning tool. I agree with the author’s view that blogs engage
people in sharing knowledge and that users respond and connect to other users
to create meanings. That is exactly how I feel about this blogging experience.
I think it was a very hands-on experience as we actively constructed and shared
our learning.
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| Technology and real life experiences are both valued tools to construct and share knowledge |
I believe
that most of us are in similar stages of our learning journey in technology.
Thus, the comments that I have received as well as the ones I posted, are more
directed to reaffirm that we are going in the right direction to recognize the
learning and teaching happening in and through technology. I was fortunate to
receive ideas on how to extend on experiences that I have developed with
children regarding learning in technology. I followed up on suggestions of
readings and they were all very valued and meaningful. I see it as being a
collaborative learning project that worked really well for me.
The
feedbacks I have received helped me to me understand and accept that others
share my uncertainties regarding technology as well. This gave me confidence to
keep pursing technology as a teaching and learning tool. I believe that we are
all going through this learning journey and I am not the only with insecurities
and doubts.
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| We share our doubts and knowldge! |
I have to
highlight that other students’ refection were as valuable as the feedbacks. I
could see how other people make use of teaching and learning in technology.
Furthermore, it broadened my understanding of technology as a concept, which
was very limited at the beginning of our learning journey. They were particular
helpful to my understanding of non-digital technology devices. There is a
conflict in regards to the use of digital devices and reading other’s
reflections were very positive as I could look at this issue through different
perspectives and lenses.
I have no
more doubts in relation to the importance of the use of technology for
children’s learning and development. Both digital and non digital technology
offer children the possibilities to acquire technological skills alongside
other crucial skills such as motor and social. The turning point for me was to
realize that technology in early childhood education is not reduced to having a
laptop available to children.
My current
understanding is that technology should be integrated in the early childhood
curriculum, just like any other learning area. Technology is simply another
tool to extend and enhance children’s learning and development. The right
attitudes and views in relation to technology is crucial for us teachers to
make use of this fantastic (and yet challenging) tool that is available in
today’s world.
Technology is an integral part of children's lives.
I can’t
oversee or ignore the fact that technology is very much part of this and the
coming generation of children. They need to be given opportunities to develop
the skills in technology, that for them and for the world they are and will
living in, are just like fundamental literality and numeracy skills. Our early
childhood curriculum (Ministry of Education, 1996) anticipates those needs and
it expects that children need to develop capacities to acquire the skills and
knowledge to successfully participate in this world. And this world for them,
it is a world that is evolving and surrounded by technology.
References
Ministry of
Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki
matauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa:
Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Wang,
H. (2008). Exploring the educational use of blogs in U.S. education. US –
China Education Review, 5 (10), 34-37.
