Digital Cameras 27-02-2012
We had three new cameras so teachers and children can both access to it but children will be under teacher’s supervision. I introduced our new cameras to the children and discussed with them the rules of how to look after our camera. The children were very excited and they cannot wait to have a turn with the camera to take pictures of things they like. I had a group of three children who loved to use the camera, so I have an idea to put all the pictures of the things that they will take and make a book out of it. Before the children get started, we talked about what we were going to do so they had to choose wisely the things that they wanted to capture, so each child took pictures of three things of their own choice. We downloaded the pictures to the computer by using the memory card and each child had a turn viewing their own pictures on the display screen. I explained and at the same time showing the children how to use the mouse and where to click. They also had to print out their own pictures and get it out of the printer. We sat down and talked about our pictures then I asked them question about their pictures and why did they took them. They told me their stories and I wrote them down beside each picture and we bind them all together. I had a chance to read the book to them and the rest of the children in the afternoon mat time.
Scaffolding children throughout this whole process has been a great experience for me. MacNaughton and Williams (2008) states, that scaffolding is “providing temporary guidance and support to children moving from one level of competence to another” (pg. 370). I have always loved to guide children in every activity that they are keen to do. Telling children about things to do is one way of providing them with the information that teachers want them to have (MacNaughton & Williams, 2008). I loved seeing them working together which it helps them to develop their social skills because they are working alongside other where older children guide or show the younger children how to use the camera. Bronfrenbenner and Vygostsky believed that children learn better when they learn together with their peers (Santrock, 2009). Throughout the whole process, children talked things through and telling their stories helped with their language development. Allowing children to choose their own things to take challenged their thoughts because there were lot of things to capture but there’s only limited amount of this for them to capture. This helps children with decision making by choosing things wisely. The children were very excited to see and hear something that they have made which gives they gain sense of belonging. Te Whāriki concurs that children should experience in an environment where they know they have a place (Ministry of Education, 1996).
I believe that I can do better than the activity that I have done with the children. Instead of limiting children’s time, I can give them more time with the camera and take many things that interest them and it will help them learn how to hold and use the camera when they have more using the camera. I bind all their story pictures into one book instead, I could make one book for each one of them with only their own pictures. Overall, we all enjoyed taking pictures, telling stories and sharing it with other children has been a great journey for both children and myself.
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Reference List
MacNaughton, Go, & Williams, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children choices in theory and practice. Frenchs Forrest NSW: Pearson Prentice Hall.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he whaariki mätauranga mo nga mokopuna ö Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Santrock, J. W. (2009) Lifespan development: international student ed. (12th Ed.). Boston, Ma: McGraw Hill
Allowing children to take ownership of the project does really help them a lot and that also gives the children opportunity to explore and take advantage of the object. When children are given an object to take advantage of children feel value and respected that we are taking their development and learning very seriously. I really love how you participated with the children right through the whole process, because children learnt from the experience and they also got to witness how to print, and also how to use the printer. Once again that enhances the children’s knowledge onto a different stage of their learning about technology. You have stated a lot of skills that children developed while using the camera which is vital to their development and they will also continue to use the knowledge they have learnt later on in life. Yes, limiting the children’s time does interrupt with their learning, doesn’t give them enough time to think, it does make them feel like they’ve been put on the spot and that sometime children hesitate to participate. KAPAI.
ReplyDeleteKia Ora Kalo
ReplyDeleteWhat a great way to interact with the children and give them positive role modelling and making their environment a positive one. The children seem to have built a good relationship with you as they contribute towards there own individual learning development.
I like the way you have set guidelines for the children and helping them understand how they are to care for their camera, and also allowing them the responsibility of handling the camera themselves. This would support the children by giving them ownership and enhancing their confidence, they are able to link what they do at school and at home as most homes do have cameras. You have taken a step by step approach with the children and explained how you will be making a book out of the pictures that they take; even though there are guidelines it does not discourage them from the end result which is having the opportunity to take pictures. Kei te pai to mahi Kalo supporting the children with their interest in technology is priceless, they are able to establish links to what they enjoy doing.
Yes I agree the benefits of the children spending more time with the camera is a great idea, this way they are able to choose more things that interest them. Therefore, it also gives them the opportunity to make up their own learning stories that go with their pictures. Maybe your centre might be open to positive ideas and support you as you implement them. Great to see you implement good role modelling in your centre.
Free choice is very valuable to young children to further enhance their learning and development. When they are given a choice to do what they desire the learning is more spontaneous and meaningful when they are empowered to explore. As you mentioned in your blog children were so excited, it would have been very exciting it’s a new device and new resources always excites the children. The thinking process is going through the children’s mind, how does that work, I want to have a turn but again it is good if they had more time to use the camera.
ReplyDeleteIt’s good to read that you also flowed through the whole process with the children the loading of the photo, viewing the photo and also printing them out. Ministry of education,1996, states that "children develop understanding and knowledge that playing with resources and tools that has no disinterested can be enjoyable, creative and very valuable approach to their learning”(p.84).
I do like the fact that you engaged in the activity by showing and explaining how the equipment’s are used and how to care for them.
Tino pai to mahi
Hello Kalo, I loved reading your blog, you show such great appreciation for the children's skills and scaffolding them when they are not so confident is important. Ka pai.
ReplyDeleteYou could perhaps suggest allowing tamariki to take the digital camera home for one night. Your centre could keep a notebook of who had it so there is a record of where it is etc. It would allow the children to have more time with the camera and to take photos of what is important to them in their home setting, which they could then show their peers. We did this at a centre I did a practicum for, although it was not a camera but a toy which the children took pictures of experiencing different things. This experience was extremely revealing about what tamariki value.
You could also get children to make their own photo frames or produce a CD of their photos that they could keep. I hope this gives you some ideas on how you could extend their experience. Great job.