Peer feedback for Natalie
-Reflection 1
Natalie, I thought that this reflection really showed how familiar A was with technology and also how you value technology for children. I agree with you when you say that technology (computer) facilitates and enriches social interaction; and this was very evident in this reflection. It was great to see that the computer was not the focal point for the children but rather it assisted the children in their experience in the centre; prompting relationships and communication between the children.
It is also great to see your
confidence when using computers with the children; this will help the children
to gain their own confidence when using this type of technology and allow them
to feel comfortable coming to you for help. To further this experience for A,
maybe you could introduce a range of music (cultural, country etc.) that is on
the internet so she can share it with her friends. This could enhance the
social interactions between A and the other children as well as develop the
children’s knowledge about other genres of music in the world.
-Reflection 2
I love this reflection
because it shows how even a low level technology – the spade, drives children’s
learning in their play. It was great to see that the boys were able to problem
solve to figure out that they could use the larger spades to get the job done
faster. I feel that the sandpit provides children with numerous opportunities
for learning, communicating and problem solving. When children problem solve
they are developing critical thinking skills that they will use throughout
their lives.
I agree with you when you
say that “technology is an integral part of many early childhood experiences”.
From doing this assignment I am now more aware of the technology that is used
in the centre and also how it influences and supports children’s learning and
development. As educators; it is
important that we reflect on technology experiences to understand that it is
essential to further enhance children’s experiences in the early childhood
environment.
To further extend the
children’s experiences in the sandpit maybe they could be provided with a range
of low level technology (rakes, diggers, buckets, etc.) which will allow them
to problem solve and share their learning with one another.
Natalie your reflections have been very informative in regards to technology. I was particularly intrigued by your reflection titled “Glitter art”. It was great to know that S was able to recall on a previous experience of using the photocopier with you, to extend her learning. I agree with you that S’s “sense of belonging was being nurtured throughout this repeated experience”. This shows that she has built a strong relationship with you and is comfortable coming to you for support.
I really liked how you asked S what she needed to do next rather than just assuming. I should have used this technique with the children in my reflection “I know how to do it”. It definitely is a great way to see what S already knew and what she needed help with. It also allowed her to take responsibility for her own learning because she was able to work out for herself the process of using the photocopier without being told what to do. Keep up the good work.
Peer feedback for Keitha
-Reflection 1
Keitha, I really like how
the boys were trying to figure out how to make a hole big enough to sit in. I
agree with you when you say that “by discussing and sharing their thoughts they
were able to work together finding ways by doing and making it happen”. I
believe that children learn best by doing and making it happen, children need
to have the time and space to experience and figure out (problem solve)
possible solutions and this is best done when children are able to choose
equipment and discuss information with others.
It’s great to see that this
experience of low level technology is able to make what is usually a challenge
for the boys, a successful experience. Low level technology is embedded in many
aspects of the early childhood environment, so to further the boys experience
with low level technologies maybe you include other low level technology
(measuring tapes, rulers, etc.) in the sandpit, for the boys to explore and help them problem solve how big they need to make the holes.
-Reflection 2
http://ladycarrot3.blogspot.co.nz/2013/08/reflection-two-stereo.html?showComment=1377945230228#c1333166224842506809
Keitha, I have really enjoyed reading your reflections. I was drawn to “The Stereo” reflection because I can relate to it in my centre, Every time the music is on the environment definitely sounds of laughter and joy. I like how you said “Being able to express yourself through dance listening to music is done differently by each child through body movements that are unique to them” I totally agree with this, music allows children and adults to express themselves in their own ways, while still creating a connectedness with the people around them.
I like that the stereo is there for the children to use whenever they want. This shows that the children are free to explore their environment, which means that they will be confident in fully engaging in music and movement, allowing them to truly express themselves; which is great. Keep up the good work. Maybe to extend the children’s experience next time you could incorporate other materials while playing the music from the stereo for example: different fabrics or musical instruments for the children to further express themselves.
-Reflection 3
I really like that the
children in your centre are able to experience and choose a range of paint
brushes as well as materials (boxes, paper, etc.). I totally agree with you
when you say that “allowing a child to engage in painting using a paint brush
in their own way and time forms a sense of ownership of the work being an
authentic process rather than a pre-determined outcome”. This I really believe
is important for children when they experience art. The process of art for
children is where they express, learn, problem solve and develop an
understanding for art and the materials that they are using; making it
meaningful to each individual child. As
opposed to focus being on the product which does not allow children to truly
express themselves, but groups children as the same.
To further extend the
children’s enjoyment and pride of their art work the children could make their
own art books which display the art work that they have done. This will allow
the children to share each piece of art and the story behind it with the friends,
teachers and whānau.
Peer feedback for Erika
-Reflection 1
Erika, this is a great
reflection. I love the conversation that the two boys were having as they went
about their mahi. I think that it is great that the children are able to
explore this type of technology because like you said it allows the children to
experiment with tools that they will most certainly use in the future. This
experience showed how comfortable the boys were together which enhanced their
social skills. I like how you related this experience to the Māori concept of
tuakana/teina because the boys were able to pass on their own knowledge to one
another.
To further extend the boys
experience you could ask a parent, local builder or a teacher to do a building
demonstration where the children can help make something that can stay in the
centre.
-Reflection 2
This is a great reflection;
it shows how quickly children are able to learn how to use technology even
without direct contact with it. I agree with you when you say that it is
important to use the correct terminology associated with technology because children
will be using the technology by themselves in the future (or they already are
using the technology by themselves) so it is important to teach the children
the correct language and functions of technology. I love how the children are
able to express themselves through music and dance; it definitely enhances and
develops a range of skills for children.
I also wonder how technology
will evolve and how quickly it will and although I believe that it is important
for children to experience the technology that they will be using in the future
it is also important for children to see where technology has come from. To
further enhance the children’s experience you could maybe introduce to the
children the ipod (if it connects to your stereo) or maybe a cassette player so
that the children can develop an understanding about how music has evolved.
-Reflection 3
Erika; I have really enjoyed
reading your reflections; they have covered a range of technology that are all
relevant to children’s learning. I was particularly drawn to the reflection
“Our Office” because of the wide range of technology that the children were
able to experiment with. It was great to see that the children had an ‘office’
environment set up and were able to role play what they have seen and know what
happens, in their wider environments.
I agree with you that
children should have the opportunity to learn alongside the technology that is
now common place in all our daily lives. It is the technology that these
children will be using in their daily lives in years to come, so I believe that
children should be learning how to use it so that they are prepared for when
they do need to use it, rather than the technology being treated as an adult’s
toy.
I am assuming that the
technology was not connected, so to further extend the children’s experience,
you could incorporate real technology. For example; using a real computer
alongside a teacher or taking photos with a real camera and then loading them
onto the computer and printing them out.
Peer feedback for Jo
-Reflection 1
Jo; It has been great to see
the different technology that is used in your centre. I really enjoyed reading
your reflection “Technology - will we ever keep up?” Incorporating an electric
typewriter into the children’s learning, what a great way to encourage reading
and writing for children. I agree with
you that nothing beats a hands on experience; this typewriter experience
allowed the children to truly experiment with the technology. I really liked
that you have allowed children to see where technology has come from rather
than placing a computer in front of them. I agree that having this knowledge of
past technology will allow the children to better understand and change
technology in the future.
I also really liked how the children’s learning of the typewriter was extended through collage. It was great to see that the children could use the knowledge that they had gained from the typewriter and how it works and used it to make their own typewriters. It really is amazing what children can do. To further extend the children’s knowledge of older technology you could explore other technology from the past. For example; old telephones or film cameras where the children can develop an understanding of the process of developing film.
-Reflection 2
I really like this
reflection and how it enabled the child to connect her kindy life with her home
life. I believe that it is vital that children are able to make these
connections between kindy and home and this low level technology of coloured
pencils allowed J to do this. It is great to see that this technology created opportunities
for communication, which was also enhanced by your teaching technique of
questioning. I like how you let J choose what technology she wanted to use to
make her picture. This was important and allowed J to truly take ownership of
her picture and learn through the process rather than being told what to use
and draw.
To further extend J’s
experience you could (with J’s help) put all of her farm drawings into a book,
this will introduce other forms of technology for J to experience as well as further
enhancing her sense of ownership. She will also be able to share her book with
her peers and whānau and use her communication skills to tell them what it is
about.
-Reflection 3
I really like this
reflection because it shows how this simple low level technology that is used
in mine as well as many other people’s everyday lives is so beneficial to
children’s learning. I really like how this reflection was child-led, the
children were able to problem solve using their prior knowledge (I assume from
the centre and home life), to care for their environment. It is so important
that educators encourage children to care for their environment and I can see from
this reflection that your centre supports this which is great. I really enjoyed
the children’s use of language in this experience; you can see how they are
influenced by what they hear both in the centre and at home.
To further extend this
experience for the children (if you do not already do this) you could look at
different ways of caring for the environment, like recycling or gardening. This
will develop the children’s awareness of how they can help the environment and
hopefully carry it with them into their futures.
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