Final Reflection

Final Reflection

31/08/12

Technology – The process and the tool.

It was a challenge for me to think what could be technology outside ICT. It really provoked thought and investigation for me around this topic. The challenge that I was having was separating technology from other curriculums such as science, maths, numeracy, creativity, and exploration. However I found out through this course that these ‘other’ curriculums are actually intertwined with technology and that technology is not a curriculum that stands on its own.

 Technology is associated with the transformation of energy, information, and materials. Technological areas include structural, control, food, and information and communications technology and biotechnology. Relevant contexts can be as varied as computer game software, food products, worm farming, security systems, costumes and stage props, signage, and taonga.

(Ministry of Education (nd) New Zealand Curriculum. Technology : retrieved from: http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Curriculum-documents/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum/Learning-areas/Technology).

So with having this realisation I was able to see technology in a number of things such as the magnifying glass. When the children were investigating on their own, they were limited to what could be seen. The use of the magnifying glass facilitated in their learning and it furthered their investigation and gave answers to the questions that the children were asking. This experience has sparked curiosity amongst the children so now they want to use the magnifying glass outside just about every day, which is great but for me it is now using this tool with different lenses on and facilitating children by “providing strategies and ideas to extend their thinking and reasoning” (Dunkin & Hanna, 2001, p.15), through the use of the magnifying glass.

 Technology is definitely a word I will use within my centre when using other materials, to familiarise children with this term and to encourage children to look beyond ICT. However ICT has its place, which I found out when using my laptop with a boy with autism.  I see children as capable and competent and I know for some children, it is easily seen by how they portray themselves and their knowledge for their age however not all children come across with this confidence or competence because of one reason or another. We see that “Children develop an enhanced sense of self-worth, identity, confidence, and enjoyment as they reach the goals of well-being in a responsive, stable, safe environment which supports the development of self-control and self-esteem” (Ministry of Education 1996, p.46).

I am a firm believer of “ensuring that all children have the same outcomes. This could mean using different approaches and teaching methods” (Hayselden, 2007, p.11). One example is by using the laptop with this child and allowing room for the same opportunity for learning through those different methods.  I will definitely take on board the comments that have been made and will look into seeing what sort of experiences D has had at home and make it more meaningful for him while at the centre by perhaps using the digital photo frame.

Being in this course has helped me to think beyond what I already know and look and investigate past what has been my comfort zone of knowledge about technology.  Since doing our assignments I have come to realise that technology does involve “thinking about the process, practical inventions, designs, searches for solutions, problem solving, helping people, and researching for practical purposes” which all can be seen in whatever is used in everyday life. Although we see different aspects in using technology “Adaptation and innovation are at the heart of technological practice. Quality outcomes result from thinking and practices that are informed, critical, and creative” (Ministry of Education (nd) New Zealand Curriculum. Technology: retrieved from: http://nzcurriculum.tki.org.nz/Curriculum-documents/The-New-Zealand-Curriculum/Learning-areas/Technology).

I am looking forward to using technology in my centre in the future and I am excited about facilitating children’s learning through the technological tools such as a magnifying glass, laptop, a paint brush, a pencil, cooking,  and a camera, just to name a few,  Knowing that this provokes questions, curiosity, problem solving and wonderment.