We had a photocopier in the centre for the children to use, it was not working but they got to know the idea of how to photocopy books and pieces of paper.
One day one of the girls was reading a book and wanted to copy the photos so she was lifting up the lid and putting the book on the screen and making the pretend noises of what a photocopy machine makes. She was fiddling around for a while lifting the lid and talking to the machine and trying to photocopy the pages in the book.
I asked her if she would like to use the photocopier in the office, she jumped at the chance. So we headed into the office and she stood on a chair so she could reach, she placed the book on the machine, and I showed her what button to press and she pressed it.
She was so amazed she was jumping up and down looking around the machine and listening for all the sounds.
Then when the paper shot out the bottom, she jumped off the chair grabbed the paper and then ran off excitedly to show her friends.
She was so proud of her efforts.
She kept all of her work in her portfolio, and kept on going back to it and looking at it, she also would take her folder home to show her parents. I heard her saying to her mum, “can I make some more of these photos at home Mum??”. But unfortunately they did not have a photocopier at home, so her Mum then said, “But we don’t have one at home honey, but you can print some off the computer”.
This excited her, and also opened the door to using more technology, and having an interest in technology.
I thought it was good that she had such a great interest in the photocopier and how it worked. As it has made me more aware of the use of technology with children, and that children are at the age where they are curious about these things and the surrounding technology that their parents and most of the people around them are using. Thouvenelle, Borunda, and McDowell (1994) argue that in order to participate in this world, our children will need to develop their own perspectives as well as the capacity to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills.
There was also alot of questioning and communication throughout the process which enhanced social skills and knowledge. Tsantis (2003) discusses that in order for children to become confident and skilful with technology they need to experience trial and error learning, which I believe is important for all children, they should be given the opportunity to experience things on their own and I believe that trial and error is a good way to do this.
I think that it is important that we give the children an opportunity to use as much ITC as possible in the centre. Not all families are able to provide their children with computers for them to use, or cameras. As you mentioned they can see the technology being used around them, but actually getting to use it and having access to it is very exciting. I imagine that a photocopier would be like magic to a small child. Did you get to speak to the mum about how excitied the child had become over using the photocopier? It was cool that the interest was able to be followed through at home and involve her parent.
ReplyDeleteWow it’s amazing how simple technology can create rich learning opportunities for children. I love how you were able to give the children such an elaborate pretend play prop (photocopier). I think it is good to foster children’s curiously it ICT for example it this observation the child thinking it was magic. It’s also great to see you going along with and extending on the child’s interests in technology and being able to take it a step further. Maybe another good next step would be to let her take the old one apart this would foster her interest even more and allow her to experience structures and mechanisms technology.
ReplyDeleteVery good!! Thanks for extending children's interests in technology. Of course the girl was proud of herself, it maybe the first time for her to use a real photocopy machine. Well done.
ReplyDelete