Final Blog Reflection
Technology is serving and solving problems and is also a focused
activity aimed at meeting needs and opportunities through the growth, development
of products, systems (Smorti,1999). Firstly, blogging for me was very hard as I
didn’t know anything about it but my lecturer and friends supported me and I
found it very interesting and challenging as well. After finishing my first
blog I felt a lot more confident than before than I was nervous in the
beginning.
The
things I found very interesting in blogging were reading my classmates comments
on my blogs and giving comments on their blogs. It is a very good way to know
the weak points of our blogs as well good points. Posting every topic in the
blogs gave me such a good experience and knowledge. Before starting this course
I had no idea of what digital and non-digital technology was, but this
experience was very meaningful to my knowledge on technology as I read my
readings especially ‘Smorti’s reading. The course people, places, things and
events helped me as an early childhood teacher to learn more about the uses of
technology with children to foster their learning and development.
Technology
is going to stay in this new era and for us as early childhood teacher’s to
make sure that we use the technology in a way which enhances children’s overall
developments. My first reflection was on I-Pad. It was very hard to get my head
in this concept at starting but I was surprised to see that how children were
using the new technology. While using I-pad
in the centre, I realized that it is a great resource to introduce to kids.
From Catherine’s comment I understood
that we can use the I-pad not only for nursery rhymes but also for knowledge that
they can use in future. It was also pointed out by Ashly that children should be accompanied by
their teacher’s while using the technology so they can actually learn some useful
things. It is really very helpful and supportive when I read my friends’
comments as they made my blogging journey easier for future. Through such
constructive feedback, we can share our feelings and knowledge that helps us in
daily practice with kids. I really admired Rachel’s comment on my blog about
celebrating Eid where she acknowledges my way of teching children the
technological knowledge through the cooking activity. My blog on computers also
showed us two sides of computer’s use.
It has advantages and disadvantages of computers they can learn good
things as well bad thing for example, too much use of computer’s are bad for
eyesight and health. Mostly all of my
friends agreed with me on this topic as it showed us the importance of
technology in today’s life. These types
of conversations can really help us in professional growth. Penrose (2006)
states that, “Adults need feedback on their learning feedback from the group members
or tutor is necessary to foster the learning process constructive criticism and
positive reinforcement from others helps to encourage adults to continue this
process.”(p.122). In fact, I felt really satsfied about the overall comments
given to my blog reflections. My group members also acknowledged my use of
simple words and the links to literature on my blogs on technology. I strongly agree on the feedback given by my group members
on my blog reflections that children should be provided with more
opportunities of technology in the early childhood centres.
Providing children to use range of
technology on children’s learning and development will help children to gain knowledge of
interaction with other peers; grow experience and understanding in problem
solving of how the digital and non digital technologies can help them and
others in this globalisation world.
Reference list
Penrose, P. (1998). Take
another look (2nd ed.) Tirohia Anō: A guide to observing children. He momo ārahi ki te tiro ngā
tamariki. New Zealand Playcentre Federation.
Smorti, S. (1999) Technology
in Early Childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autum1999.
