Reflection 1:
Computers help children to develop literacy skills
Date: 5-9-2011
Teacher: Luahine Laungaue
ICT: Computer
After morning tea teachers and children were watching the welcoming of the Tonga National Rugby Team at the airport on Monday 5th of September on the computer. The supervisor brought the computer from the staff room to the mat time area. She explained to the children what is happening in the airport and because we could not go to the airport we can still see the Tongans and the Tonga National Rugby Team in the airport though watching the computer. The supervisor turned on the power plug on the wall. A four year old boy,T came up and asked the supervisor if he could turn the computer on. The supervisor agreed and he came and turned the computer on. The supervisor asked, “How did you learn it?” “At home,” replied T. The supervisor continued until we saw the arrival of the Tonga Rugby team in the airport. It was really exciting because some of the children saw their parents and called out, “That’s my mum or that’s my dad.”
Because there were no other colours but red and white with flags white and red, another four year old girl, E asked, “Why do people wear red and white?”
The supervisor explained why as the programme went on. What an exciting day for the children. I believe that the children experienced the Tongan cultural way of welcoming famous people to the country through watching it in the computer. Ministry of Education (1996) states “New Zealand is part of world revolution in communication, technology, work and leisure. Change in these and other spheres is a feature of everyday life. To cope with such changes, children need both the confidence to develop their own perspectives and the capacity acquiring new knowledge and skills.” (p.18). In my centre, we only use one computer for staff and children. There are only two teachers who are confident and competence in using computers. Smorti (1999) states, “If educators in early childhood education care scaffold learning in this area, we need to broaden our understanding of technology and continue to extend our own knowledge and skill base.” (p.5) I totally agree with this because I was sure that children were enjoying watching the arrival of the Tongan Rugby National Team (Ikale Tahi). They learnt a lot of their own language such as colours, flag, feelings and Tongan cultures. They developed understanding of how we use computers to see occasions in another place (airport). I believe that children would like to use the computer for their own learning such as YouTube, educational mathematic and language games. It is my role to scaffold children’s learning but how can I do that when my computer skills are not met with the children’s needs. I believe that the supervisor provided for the child’s need to turn the computer on but she needs to let him do more of his capabilities so that we find out how much he knows about the computer then we extend from there. I can imagine that children are willing to have free access to the computer but unfortunately they can’t. I am definitely sure that early childhood children benefit from using computer as I noticed that they watched carefully and talked to their friends about what they saw. They imitated the yells, shouts and other words they heard such as “go Tonga, go Ikale Tahi.” They also had fun in this experience. After watching this programmes most of the three and four year old children continued waving their Tonga flags and spoke, ‘Go Tonga, go Ikale Tahi.’ Wow! How exciting to find out that they extend their language by watching this programme. I can see the effectiveness of using computers in the early childhood setting, so I believe I must improve my computer skills. Linda, A. T Santis, Cynthia J. Bewick, and Suzanne Thouvenelle (2003) state, “helping teachers reach their comfort and skill levels require continuing staff development and support. With professional development opportunities for teachers, technology can meet the promise of its potential to enhance the teaching/learning process.” (p.3) In this experience I believe that children are able to make connection what is on the screen and what is in the real world (e.g. airport).
Hi Luahine, you reflection on “Computers help children to develop literacy skills” is very practical. It’s very amazing that the children in your centre experienced a learning environment where they could see people from their culture or even their mums or dads, and hear their home language spoken via computer. I think computer not only helped them develop literacy skills, but also helped them have a sense of belonging, and they have more understanding of their own culture. I agree with you that it is very important for teachers to develop computer skills so that they can meet the needs of children under our care. Not enough computers in your center are really a big challenge for developing children’s computer skills. We have the same situation in our center. If children can’t access to computers, how can they become competent computer users? I believe they benefit a lot from using computers to enhance their learning. However, I don’t advocate that children should have free access on internet because they can’t tell from right or wrong. Anything can appear on the screen with just one click. That’s really a dangerous thing for them. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great way to show your support for your home rugby team. Throughout this reflection I could see that you and the children are really proud of your heritage. What an excellent way to use the computer. You talk about how you need to improve your computer skills to be able to help extend on the children’s learning, which is a wonderful idea. Did you know that there are free computers courses you can sign up and do?
ReplyDeleteWhat about a second computer for the children, have you thought to ask the children’s whānau or even other staff members to see if they can donate a computer for the children to use and learn from?
What an awesome way to provide children with the opportunity to make connections from the wider world to the center environment, and all through the use of technology! I think that it is really honest and admiral that you are acknowledging that there is room for improvement with your computer skills, after all no one is perfect! I think that the fact that you have had such an open- mind to learning about computers is so good as I know from experience that some people do just not want to learn at all. Is there anybody at your center who could help you develop your computer skills? This would be a good way to show children how adults scaffold each others learning as well. Tsantis, Bedwick & Thouvenelle (2003) discuss that to help teachers reach their comfort skill levels; requires continuing staff development and support (p3). Melissa also makes a very good point letting you know that there are free computer courses available.
ReplyDeleteKia Ora Luahine,
ReplyDeleteSometimes when centres lack resource, we just have to make do with what we have and appreciate our blessing. Luahine it is great that you are a advocate for children. You are so right we do need to be more knowledgeable with technology especially when we have to teach children. But good on you for not giving up on wanting to learn more about how to operate these complicated tools.
I really like how your centre still gives children opportunity to use the computer even though there is only one to share.
Keep going you are doing awesome, you do have knowledge and skills. This blog says it all.
Tumeke Luahine Kia Kaha
Luahine,
ReplyDeleteIt’s great that the computer was used to show the children something so topical, to connect to what is happening in the community outside the centre. No doubt this will have meaningful links to home life for some of the children also. The world cup has been an awesum opportunity for us to all learn more about the visiting countries and their flags. (I got some of the flags rather confused and have learned more about them recently too.)
It is interesting that you mention the computer showing the tongan cultural practice of welcoming people to the country as I had not really thought of the computer as being a tool to convey culture and language in that sense before. This is a great eye opener for me so thank you for showing ICT is a whole different way. Kia ora.