"ICT is not only the future of our Children's education it is the present; and we need to make the investment in ICT now!"
Walter Lockhart (Naace, 2013).
After reading 'Developmentally Appropriate Technology in Early Childhood (DATEC) final report - also reproduced in Siraj-Blatchford, I. and Siraj- Blatchford, J. (2000) More than computers: Information and Communications Technology in the Early Years, London, Early Education. There where several interesting ideas bought to light by this report. They have given Seven general principles to identify the effectiveness of ICT applications in Early childhood education
1. Ensure an educational purpose
2. Encourage collaboration
3. Integrate with other aspects of curriculum
4. Ensure the child is in control
5. Choose applications that are transparent
6. Avoid applications containing violence or stereotyping
7. Be aware of health and safety issues.
As a teacher we need to ensure the technology we use is empowering children's learning and they are in control.
So how can the teacher do this.
1. We as teachers can show that children become empowered and control there own learning, showing instant documentation of achievements, able to search information spontaneously and giving parents instant access to learning stories depending on the media used.
2. By videoing, taking pictures, with written text the children are able to instruct the teachers to the way they are learning. This provides genuine moments of learning.
3. Integrating ICT into everyday learning will become the 'norm.' It helps to extend the child's literacy by helping the teachers write stories with the teacher. Helps the child build the links between picutres/videos and written text on subjects that interest the child.
4. Children learn how to use the Technology with the teachers. This empowers the child by taking control of their own learning.
5. By choosing easy to use application the children are able to design their own experiences.
6. Violence and stero-typing can be avoided by follow the centre/governing board policy.
7. Under current guidelines 10 - 20 minutes of computer time for a 3 year old. By allowing ICT to be used only under the supervision of a teacher we can ensure that Children stay within these time limits. ICT should never be used at the expense of outdoor learning experiences.
It has been interesting to me to find that this list is almost the same in every article, Blog, and research that I have read over the last several weeks.
ICT in ECE blog
smooth broad air
Key issues in using ICT in ECE
Through looking into this I have found a really interesting article by Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand. The relevance is New Zealand based research using our own curriculum. You can follow this link to the article.
Waikato study on young children using I-pads.So how can the teacher do this.
1. We as teachers can show that children become empowered and control there own learning, showing instant documentation of achievements, able to search information spontaneously and giving parents instant access to learning stories depending on the media used.
2. By videoing, taking pictures, with written text the children are able to instruct the teachers to the way they are learning. This provides genuine moments of learning.
3. Integrating ICT into everyday learning will become the 'norm.' It helps to extend the child's literacy by helping the teachers write stories with the teacher. Helps the child build the links between picutres/videos and written text on subjects that interest the child.
4. Children learn how to use the Technology with the teachers. This empowers the child by taking control of their own learning.
5. By choosing easy to use application the children are able to design their own experiences.
6. Violence and stero-typing can be avoided by follow the centre/governing board policy.
7. Under current guidelines 10 - 20 minutes of computer time for a 3 year old. By allowing ICT to be used only under the supervision of a teacher we can ensure that Children stay within these time limits. ICT should never be used at the expense of outdoor learning experiences.
It has been interesting to me to find that this list is almost the same in every article, Blog, and research that I have read over the last several weeks.
ICT in ECE blog
smooth broad air
Key issues in using ICT in ECE
Through looking into this I have found a really interesting article by Waikato University, Hamilton, New Zealand. The relevance is New Zealand based research using our own curriculum. You can follow this link to the article.
The results of this article showed that children learning with I-Pads where able to explore and interact to extend their knowledge and interest while working in collaboration with others. Favell (2006) found the same findings as the Waikato study but had gone further concluding it is the teachers professional responsibility to refine and define meaning to avoid confusion as the child learns this media.
"Children are competent users of technology, active agents in their own learning and aware of the world beyond their family (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett and Farmer. 2012) So if this statement is true then we should be making sure that we in-still strong messages around safety regarding computer access for young children.
All the articles I have read talk about Digital citizenship
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This Ven diagram shows that through our curriculum we have an obligation to teach children about the safety of the internet and how to practice using it safely. This should also include teaching children that what they post on the internet is there forever regardless of being deleted from their account or history.
So where do I now stand?
After all my readings the conclusion that I have personally come to is
ICT in ECE should be strongly monitored by the staff. But by using I-Pads etc, within the centre and at home it can strengthen the relationships and foster communication between all parties regarding the child's learning.
I have enjoyed reading your blog. I agree with you when you say that when iPads are used correctly, relationships can be strengthened and communication can be fostered. I have seen this done in my setting. Children are never left alone with the iPad but it is used during teaching techniques and I have seen this work well.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you when you say that all ICT needs to be closely monitored by teachers and other adults. I believe is that children only learn when there is an adult discussing what children are seeing on screens, whether it be computers or TV. Articles I have read state that if children are exposed to TV and other screen experiences they are not actually learning, no educational benefit, unless there is discussion around what is being viewed at the time children are viewing it.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed reading your blog. I agree with you that technology can be used effectively with children if the right guidelines are in place! Today's generation should be learning to use technology as it's going to play such a big role in their life. I like the idea that children are writing stories alongside teachers. great way to really capture the child's voice in the moment!
ReplyDelete