What are my initial thoughts about young children using technology?
My initial thoughts were that I was concerned about how technology has taken over and young children have lost their inate talent of creating and using their imaginations on their own. I understand all that you can do with the advancements made in technology, but I have also seen the misuse of it. Children stare at a screen and block out all around them. Televison, video games, computers and cell phones. The art of conversation is lost. It is like giving a young child millions of dollars and saying, "here do what you want with it." I have very strong feelings about its use even though I realize we must move forward and with the right training, we can teach the children how to approach its use appropriately.
Why is understanding multiple intelligiences important in early childhood education?
Understanding multiple intelligiences is important so that we can provide age-appropriate opportunities of learning in all areas of development. We want to enhance a child's development and learning by respecting the individual differences in each child. We need to encourage collaboration among peers, help them to development self-regulation and engage them in a intellectually stimulating and varied environment. Understanding multiple intelligiences also helps us to continually observe, plan and rework things so that we meet all the children's needs as they grow. If we provide an environment where they can problem solve and work collaboratively, it will help them in their social skills. Knowing how children develop and providing developmentally appropriate practices is key to quality care.
What challenges do I foresee in taking this course?
One of the challenges I see is finding the time and having the appropriate technology available in the classroom to implement and share what I learn. I recently limited computer time in my classroom because the children weren't able to tell me anything they did except sit at the computer and they couldn't explain what they did on the computer. Since I limited this time, the children have become more responsive and their minds are being challenged. With this course, I hope to re-teach the children how to use technology to collaborate and create together and present what they have learned to the group. I hope it will give meaning to its use instead of just being used to "zone out" as I see it limiting socialization between peers.
Final Course Reflection
What do YOU think are the top 2-3 significant benefits of integrating technology into early childhood education?
I think the most significant benefits of integrating technology are to help young children become comfortable with using various technology that they will need as they enter elementary grades and beyond. Most required work in school must be typed and as far as I know typewriters are obsolete. Some children don't live close to a library (especially with the city closing them) and they could gain access to literature and resources through the internet. Their creative skill would also be enhanced using other forms of technology like video and digital cameras and intergrating them with projects on the computer. We must face the fact that our world is changing and get our children ready for the future.
What's next for you?
I will continue to earn my degree so that I may provide the children I teach with the best I can give. I will also continue to work on improving my skills in the field of technology. I will have to catch up with my own children. They can teach me a thing or two.
What concrete plans do you have to implement some of the course concepts covered in class, into your specific professional or learning environment?
I already started implementing some course concepts. I also have begun to review more web sites for the children and introduced them to the ones I reviewed in class. I have found it contributes to compiling my anecdotal records in many areas of development. The children saw what I did with my digital story and they all want to do it. I hope in September I can start from the beginning of the school year and create a project that we can present to the parents at the end of the school term.
What challenges do you forsee in implementing some of your ideas?
I just have to go into sites and programs and explore them. One thing I learned from this class is not to let my fear of what might happen if I press a button stop me from trying things on my own. Trial and error will only help me to learn what not to do and increase my confidence. I faced plenty of challenges in this class, but it only made me more determined to find solutions if not now, as soon as possible. This gives me the determination to proceed and to share what I learned with my team.
What are your plans for implementing your lesson plan?
I actually can't wait to implement my lesson plan. I think I will start it in September since that's when I begin the alphabet with the children. As I was doing it, I realized how many directions I could go with it. It is very exciting when a plan comes together like that. Not every idea works out like that. I'm always looking for new ways to teach the same subject.
Reflection #1
What are my initial thoughts about young children using technology?
My initial thoughts were that I was concerned about how technology has taken over and young children have lost their inate talent of creating and using their imaginations on their own. I understand all that you can do with the advancements made in technology, but I have also seen the misuse of it. Children stare at a screen and block out all around them. Televison, video games, computers and cell phones. The art of conversation is lost. It is like giving a young child millions of dollars and saying, "here do what you want with it." I have very strong feelings about its use even though I realize we must move forward and with the right training, we can teach the children how to approach its use appropriately.
Why is understanding multiple intelligiences important in early childhood education?
Understanding multiple intelligiences is important so that we can provide age-appropriate opportunities of learning in all areas of development. We want to enhance a child's development and learning by respecting the individual differences in each child. We need to encourage collaboration among peers, help them to development self-regulation and engage them in a intellectually stimulating and varied environment. Understanding multiple intelligiences also helps us to continually observe, plan and rework things so that we meet all the children's needs as they grow. If we provide an environment where they can problem solve and work collaboratively, it will help them in their social skills. Knowing how children develop and providing developmentally appropriate practices is key to quality care.
What challenges do I foresee in taking this course?
One of the challenges I see is finding the time and having the appropriate technology available in the classroom to implement and share what I learn. I recently limited computer time in my classroom because the children weren't able to tell me anything they did except sit at the computer and they couldn't explain what they did on the computer. Since I limited this time, the children have become more responsive and their minds are being challenged. With this course, I hope to re-teach the children how to use technology to collaborate and create together and present what they have learned to the group. I hope it will give meaning to its use instead of just being used to "zone out" as I see it limiting socialization between peers.
Final Course Reflection
What do YOU think are the top 2-3 significant benefits of integrating technology into early childhood education?
I think the most significant benefits of integrating technology are to help young children become comfortable with using various technology that they will need as they enter elementary grades and beyond. Most required work in school must be typed and as far as I know typewriters are obsolete. Some children don't live close to a library (especially with the city closing them) and they could gain access to literature and resources through the internet. Their creative skill would also be enhanced using other forms of technology like video and digital cameras and intergrating them with projects on the computer. We must face the fact that our world is changing and get our children ready for the future.
What's next for you?
I will continue to earn my degree so that I may provide the children I teach with the best I can give. I will also continue to work on improving my skills in the field of technology. I will have to catch up with my own children. They can teach me a thing or two.
What concrete plans do you have to implement some of the course concepts covered in class, into your specific professional or learning environment?
I already started implementing some course concepts. I also have begun to review more web sites for the children and introduced them to the ones I reviewed in class. I have found it contributes to compiling my anecdotal records in many areas of development. The children saw what I did with my digital story and they all want to do it. I hope in September I can start from the beginning of the school year and create a project that we can present to the parents at the end of the school term.
What challenges do you forsee in implementing some of your ideas?
I just have to go into sites and programs and explore them. One thing I learned from this class is not to let my fear of what might happen if I press a button stop me from trying things on my own. Trial and error will only help me to learn what not to do and increase my confidence. I faced plenty of challenges in this class, but it only made me more determined to find solutions if not now, as soon as possible. This gives me the determination to proceed and to share what I learned with my team.
What are your plans for implementing your lesson plan?
I actually can't wait to implement my lesson plan. I think I will start it in September since that's when I begin the alphabet with the children. As I was doing it, I realized how many directions I could go with it. It is very exciting when a plan comes together like that. Not every idea works out like that. I'm always looking for new ways to teach the same subject.