Personal Reflection

Reflecting back on my personal blogs I believe that it has broaden my view about technology and it has allowed me to think more in-depth of the learning that takes place within the centre and also the technology equipment that revolves around us. I believe that teachers need to have a firm sound knowledge in regards of the technology equipment’s that is being used in centre. This will make it easier for teachers to assist children and guide them in using it on their own. It also sets children for the future in preparing them for the world that revolves around technology. Learning about the world of technology has extended my perspective of the different types of technology that is been used in the centre which are known as the

Digital camera, ipad, apple computers, e-book, and tablet. These are the main technology equipment that is being used in the centre. I was also surprised about few of the children that are already aware of using these technology tools on their own and knowing how they function. This shows that children are very capable of adapting themselves into the new technology that we have in today’s society. As stated in Smorti “Educators in early childhood are to scaffold children’s learning in this area we need to broaden our understanding of technology and continue to extend our knowledge and skill base (1999, pg. 5).

The feedback that I have received from my peers has assisted me to better my practice and has also made me realize things that I needed to improve on and change. The majority of the feedback that I have received from my peers were very positive and encouraging. This made me feel relieved knowing that I have done a great job on my blogs. However, it has also given me opportunities to learn more about trying different approaches of teaching children and learning together. One of the feedbacks that I have received from one of our peers as she stated in my blog about obstacle equipment was to try more outdoor activities and also scaffolding children’s learning to challenge them. I believe this was a great way of allowing me to learn and develop more ways of teaching children different techniques and knowing that there are more ways of teaching children in risk taking challenges that will allow them to develop independency and confidence. This is a great help as it teaches us student teachers to be more reflective and to critique our actions to be more define in our practice as educators and facilitators (Ministry of Education, 1996). Moreover, the feedback that I have received from each of our group members has enhanced my view on my own learning and personally it has challenged me to be more critical and in-depth with the way that I adapt to thinking and writing most of all sharing experience with children.

Overall, I believe this was a fun experience that I have enjoyed doing, at first it is challenging but more rewarding when it is done and over. I am so grateful that I have had the opportunity to share knowledge in working with children as well as my experience and also providing feedback to my peers which I have enjoyed the most. It made me feel like I was a lecture providing feedback to each of my group member’s blogs. Moreover, it has allowed me to learn a new skill of creating blogs on the website which is another technology skill I have gained. This learning experience has helped me to learn and adapt more technology tools in my experience in learning with children.  

References

Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he whaariki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media

Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.