Over the past few days we have been video recording
the children’s play and learning, as we are hosting a parent evening on the
value of play to extend parents and caregivers knowledge of how children can
learn. We collated all the recorded footage and brought the television into the
room for the children to watch. The children were very curious yet expressed
excitement to see the television in the room. We plugged in the recorder and
together watched the children play on screen. The children’s faces gleamed as
they realised they were on the television. It provoked thinking and
conversation as the children remembered and recalled their experiences. One
little girl yelled out “me” and quickly went and pointed to the screen, she
then tried to say all the children’s names as she saw them on the screen. The
Ministry of Education (1996) advocates “using many materials for different
purposes enable children to recognise that different technologies may be used
in various places and settings” (p.95).
I personally loved this moment as the children were
so excited and curious to see what was happening on screen. I believe it was very
beneficial watching the recorded play as it triggered communication,
concentration as well as the opportunity to recall previous learning. MacNaughton
& Williams (2009) suggests recalling is a valuable teaching techniques that
can reinforce their ideas, concepts and knowledge. Children’s metacognition
should be fostered from a young age as this is the time children begin
formulating ways of thinking and the strategies they use to think (Arthur,
Beecher, Death, Dockett & Farmer (2007).
The television has evolved tremendously through the
years and with no doubt in my mind is a part of everyone’s life. I do believe it
has made life easier in some respects such as watching the daily news, learning
new subjects and relaxing at the end of the day. However for children, the first few years in their
life are considered the most critical time for brain development and it is
viewed that television and other electronic media can be detrimental at this
critical time. “Television can get in the way of exploring, playing, and
interacting with parents and others, which encourages learning and healthy
physical and social development” (Kids Health, 2012, p.1).
Conversely, after researching and reflecting on this
experience, I have become familiar with the benefits of watching television in
moderation for children. As there is an opportunities to build analytical
skills, learn about vast subjects and culture, interact and build communication
skills and inspire children to imagine and think outside the box (Kenney,
2010). I personally would not promote watching television for children and am
glad our centre television cannot play real programs for the reason of no aerial.
Our centre feels that children see enough television at home therefore we don’t
need to promote it as a learning tool. I feel quite strongly about this also as
there are too many instances where you here of the television being used for
hours on end, practically as a babysitting tool. What I want to emphasise is
there needs to be a balance when using digital technology especially when it
comes to television and for adults to be mindful of what children are watching.
The
New Zealand Curriculum says ‘the aim is for students to develop a broad
technological literacy that will equip them to participate in society as
informed citizens and give them access to technology related careers’ (Ministry
of Education, 2007, p.32). I believe are
many positive benefits though there are also various undesirable disadvantages
for children and their early learning. Everything in moderation. :)
Reference
list:
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S.,
& Farmer, S. (2007). Programming and planning
in early childhood settings (4th ed.).
Victoria, Australia: Cengage Learning.
Kenney, L. (2010) Advantages for children to watch tv. Retrieved from: http://www.livestrong.com/article/118554-advantages-children-watch-tv/
Kids Health, (2012). How TV affects your child. Retrieved from: http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_affects_child.html
McNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2009).
Techniques for teaching young children: Choices in theory and practice (3rd ed.). Frenchs Forest, N.S.W.:
Pearson/Education Australia.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, He
whāriki matauranga mo nga mokopuna o Āotearoa:
Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand
curriculum. New Zealand: Learning Media.
Pallenberg, S. (2012) What happens when apple enters the TV market. Retrieved From: http://www.netbooknews.com/author/sascha/
Hi Briar. I really like how you used the television in your centre. I can just imagine how excited the children would have been to see themselves engaged in play. This experience would have really built the children’s confidence in communication as they were prompted to retell what they were doing in a particular frame. I share your concern that the television is often used when teachers don’t feel like doing anything else with the children so they put them in front of the television. This is a great miss use of this piece of digital technology. Although I have this concern I also see benefits of using it, children are able to see things they may never be able to see in real life. So if used properly I agree that it opens their understanding and promotes their thinking this is when I think ‘technology offers additional ways to learn, and to demonstrate learning’ (Van Scoter, Ellis & Railsback, 2001, p.13).
ReplyDeleteFirst of all I’d like to commend you on this post. It’s great to see that your centre uses the television to teach children. It is a technological advancement that is generally viewed as a tool for entertainment and not a tool for teaching. I do agree with you when you said it could be detrimental for their early development and can get in the way of their learning, however, because your centre used it as a tool to showcase children’s work, your centre and the children gained benefits from it. There are also other ways of making use of the television properly such as watching current events or past events that have happened in the world (for example the Olympics or the World Cup) Perhaps your centre would also like to show documentaries that may be suitable for children to suit their interest? For example, if the children are interested in plants, then perhaps showing them a documentary about plants? I hope this suggestion helps. Smorti states that “technology is influenced by the culture or the society in which it occurs” (Smorti, 1999) hence, I believe that as long as we use the television in the right way, children and teachers can gain benefits from it.
ReplyDeleteHi Briar
ReplyDeleteI loved reading your post. it was great to read that your centre uses the television effectively and for the benefit of the children not as a baby sitting service. I can just imagin how much the children would love to see themselves on televsion it would be wonderful to see. I personally hadnt thought of showing the children themselves on televsion but I think I might try it soon. we use our television for showing current events like the Olympics or pacifica festival. We also have a sign langauge Dvd of the national Anthem that we show to the children. I notice that the Televsion creates alot of communication and i could see that it would spark your little children's communication as well. I agree with your concern that television's are often used in the wrong way and the teachers use them to there advantage. However if the televsion is used properly I believe it can certainly enhance the children's learning and give them new perspectives. "Its not about the technology its about how you use it"(Sarah Boyd, 2008, p. 46)
Hi Briar.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog. What a great way to have a parent evening of them being able to see their own child/ren lay and learn and this provides them with and understanding as to how their child develops and this then helps them to gain new knowledge as to how they can help us to extend their child/ren learning and development more positively in the centre.
I am sure it must have been a great feeling for the children when they saw themselves on television as you mentioned that the children’s faces gleamed and this triggered communication and concentration as well as the opportunity to recall previous learning. Te Whāriki reasons that “children learn by making inks with their previous experiences” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 82). It was good to see you expressing the children feelings and emotions and how they learn and develop. This empowers the children to feel confident, valued and that they belong in the centre.
Yes I do agree with you that technology is part of everyone’s lives and it has made life a lot easier. Personally, I believe that television has got its advantages and disadvantages as you have mentioned along with other technology.