Using Digital Cameras!
Reflection 3
Date: 8/09/2011
Teacher: Harpreet Kaur Sodhi
Child: M (not using the due to ethical considerations)
ICT: Using digital cameras
This morning Child M was playing in the sandpit. I went there to take their pictures for their learning story. When he saw a camera in my hand he starts talking about pictures he took at home using his own camera. He said “whaea I know how to take pictures because my mum teach me”. Then he was asked me “whaea can I take some pictures with your camera?” While I was having conversation with M, I discovered that he had been really interested in using my camera. To further explore his interest about the camera I gave my camera to him. Te Whāriki states that “children use a variety of technologies for different purpose as they explore their world” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.98).
I was surprised to see the way he was taking pictures so confidently like adults. I never thought that 3 and half years old child can take pictures so perfectly. Te Whāriki states that “Children experience an environment where they learn strategies for active exploration, thinking and reasoning” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 88). Through the use of cameras children learn to capture images and see them through the display in the camera, they can take photographs of things they like and don’t like.
I realized that by using the cameras children can tell a story about the pictures and they capture their own as well as others learning. I found that Digital photography can boost a child’s self-esteem, celebrate children’s interests and challenge their thinking. Te Whāriki states that “children exploring and making sense of the world such as setting and solving problems with the ability to represent their discoveries through creative media and technology associated to them” ( Ministry of Education.1996,p.88)..
I realised that as teacher my role is to set up the environment and activities, matching technology use to the curriculum as well as to the children’s needs and interests. As a teacher I need to be less involved in directing the activities, and more involved in monitoring children’s activities, intervening as necessary to guide and pose questions that encourage thinking (Haugland, 1999).
My perspective about the young children using technology has changed now. This experience as allowed me to let children discover technology. I have realised that digital cameras provide children direct visual clues for developing self-concept and understanding their role in social interactions with peers. Through this course I have learnt that my role as teacher to allow children to make their own choices of when and how they want use technology without forcing them.
Reference:
Haugland, S.W. (1999). “What Role Should Technology Play in Young Children’s learning? Part 1.”Young Children 54 (6): 26-31.
Images from Google
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whariki: He Whariki Matauranga mo nga Mokopuna o Aotearoa. Welington, New Zealand: Learning Media LTD.
Feedback for the Reflection 3
ReplyDeleteHi Harpreet,
Camera.
It was good to read that you have shared your camera with the child. You not only gave him your own camera but also extended his interest of photography. You doubted his confidence and were surprised to see him taking pictures. Believe me, children are very competent and confident and they learn things faster from each other. TeWhāriki states that children experience an environment where they are encouraged to learn with and alongside others. And children learn through active participation. Great, you have realised that as a teacher you want to explore the technology by setting up the environment and activities which will meet the criteria. And also you want to intervene only whenever it is necessary to guide or scaffold. As vygotsky believed that learning occurred most effectively on the higher plane of thinking through competent adults interacting with a child (Macnaughton, 2004). It is good to see that you have realised that technology is very important. And technology is a part of curriculum already; you can see the links in the early childhood curriculum TeWhāriki.
Hi Harpreet,
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to read that you recognized M’s interest in the camera. I believe it is essential to empower our children’s active participation, and this was evident because you enabled M to utilise the camera and take photographs. You can extend his interest by introducing more technology tools such as downloading the images in the computer and allow him to print his favorite pictures.
It’s good to know that child M was very confident of taking images which tells us how this generation is advanced. You have empowered him to take control of his own learning as he is in charge of which photos he wants to take and where. As an early childhood educators we need to support and provide proper use of the technology that will be the stepping stone in children’s lives. I agree with Haugland (1999) that using the camera to make ideas visible to communicate and collaborate with each other and help children to explore and understand their world. In my opinion not only taking the pictures by M, perhaps you can ask open ended questions such as “Why you take that photo and how do you like it”. By doing this he can share his feelings with you and with his peers because he experienced with the camera all day in his own centre. This gives him a chance to reflect on his experiences and could be a great leader for conversation. You provided wonderful activities for him at your centre. I have enjoyed reading about his journey of learning with the help of the digital camera.
Perhaps you can discuss this experience with your centre manager and suggest her to buy few cameras for children to play. This way, children will be encouraged taking pictures at convenient time within the centre. This will support their confidence as well as knowing that they are trusted, capable and the choices that they make are valued.
Reference:
Haugland, S.W. (1999). “What Role Should Technology Play in Young Children’s learning? Part 1.”Young Children 54 (6): 26-31.
Tino pai, Harpreet. I think you were absolutely built up children’s understanding about using the camera after noticing their interest. It's great to see you gave the opportunity to prove that young children are capable of using the camera. As we know children love to take photos and they really enjoy it; but lots of adult do not allow young children using digital camera. They worry about children will broken cameras. I think that will miss a teachable moment. In my opinion, technology is an important learning resource in this changing world. Children should be given the opportunities to develop knowledge about new things and technology. Te Whāriki states that trying things out, exploration and curiosity are important and valued ways of learning (Ministry of Education, 1996). It is so great to see you helping children to learn and explore new things through modern technology.
ReplyDeleteMinistry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He Whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa/ Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Using Digital Cameras
ReplyDeleteHi Harpreet
I thought your blog was very interesting because often we have pre-conceived notions of what children can actually do competently and I think M clearly challenged yours. What I found great about your blog was that you not only had to consider learning outcomes for children using the cameras but also reflecting on your teaching philosophy in terms of technology. I liked M’s confidence when using the camera, he knew exactly how and what pictures he would actually take. Have you considered maybe supporting M to make his every own digital photo album? In this way he will always be able to have those pictures with him and have the video to explain why those images were important to him at that moment in time. I mean imagine M looking through his digital photo album 10 years from now, M would be able to review his thoughts, ideas and values at the age of three and that to me personally is amazing. I actually regret that we did not have the actually to capture our moment like that because I would love to go back and see what I thought about the world at the age of 4. Furthermore I think it was good that although to begin with your did not realise the learning outcomes of camera but once you saw it for yourself in action, you become reflective and supported M so well. Tino pai Harpreet!!