Final reflection

Before I do this group blog project, I did not have much understanding on technology. I thought technologies are just televisions, digital cameras, iPad and cars. After Smorti’s “technology in early childhood” reading and group blog project, I now know that there are two different types of technologies, such as digital and non-digital technologies. After Smorti’s reading I found out that non-digital technologies are such as staples, glue, cellotape, paper clips, constructive play area such as figuring out how to add wheels (Smorti, 1999). 

Before the readings and group blog project, I was not aware of the benefits of using technologies in early childhood centre. When I read my group reflections on blog I was able to found out that technologies enhance children’s learning and development because my group reflections talked about the use of technologies in their centre and the benefits of it. I never thought pencil sharpener is a non-digital technology until I read Sashi’s reflection based on pencil sharpener. I never thought a pencil sharpener enhances children’s development but after I read Sashi’s reflection, I have learnt that a pencil sharpener is a very useful non-digital technology tool. From Sashi’s reflection I have learnt children build confident skills when they use a pencil sharpener and it develops children’s fine motor skills. Her reflection gives me an idea to introduce pencil sharpeners in my centre. 

When I was working on this group blog project I was reading an article and I have learnt that using technologies such as televisions and computers have both positive and negative impacts on children. The positive side of using interactive media are such as it enhances children's language development and increases vocabulary. The negative impacts of using interactive media are such as problems with children sleepy pattern, behaviour (when the children watch violence programmes) therefore children tend to imitate the behaviour. When children spend a lot of time on watching television or computer games, they tend not to participate in outdoor activities or interact with their friends. 

My group commented on my reflections based on their experience from their centre. from reading my group reflections I have noticed that different centre provide different kind of technologies. For example Sashi’s centre provides pencil sharpeners and they encourage children to practice. Whereas, my centre does not provide pencil sharpeners to children. I gained new knowledge from reading my group reflections. After reading all my group reflections I am aware that technology is very important for young children learning. Smorti (1999) states that technological world that we live in increasing, and everything is changing through technology. Therefore it is important to provide technologies in the centre, and I believe that teachers and staff should have knowledge in technologies to support and give guide to young children. 

I read my group comments on my blog and from their comments I have learnt so much. They all agree with me that guidance, supporting, instructing and demonstrating are important techniques to use with young children. From Sera’s comment she asked me why do I need to supervise children when using stapler, I supervise because I am just worried that children might accidently push down stapler on their fingers or hands. Sera’s comment encourages me to let children explore and practice new materials by themselves. Next time I would let children use stapler by themselves but I would remind to the children not to put fingers between a stapler.

I enjoyed working on group blog project and I enjoyed reading all my group reflections. 

 Reference 

Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.