Children as competent, confident learners - Zoe and the webcam

During our last session together before the holidays people in the class expressed how they are enjoying the course and that it is challenging them to pay attention to children's learning about and through technology.  There is an old adage somewhere that goes something like "if you want to learn about a topic, teach it".  This course, more than any other course I have facilitated has made me aware of the teacher's role as co-learner (rather than expert).  I have been fascinated with the way we have been using class time to negotiate meaning and co-construct knowledge and processes. 

As part of the process I have also been paying more attention to the role of technology in our lives and I have been reminded of just how amazingly competent children are.  Here's an example from Zoe (aged 2 years 4 months).  A couple of days ago I was using the laptop when Zoe came downstairs holding the webcam.  She proceded to plug the camera in and set it up on top of the laptop.  She then repositioned it carefully and began to take photos of herself with the camera.  "I did it!" she proclaimed proudly while I sat there astonished.  I love the way that after 20 years of working in ECE chidlren still have the capacity to surprise me : )

In what ways have children been surprising you with their knowledge and skilful use of technology? 

Martin the Robot Man

Last week Martin Horspool was our guest speaker and he introduced us to some of the amazing creations he makes from recycling quality resources.  After the session he sent through this link which he thought you might be interested in:
http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.resene.co.nz%2Fhomeown%2Fhabitat%2Fpdf%2Frecycle_robot.pdf&h=d3ce7

One of the interesting questions raised in this session related to children's safety and the possible resistance of centres to using some of the materials and processes we have been discussing.  The above link provides an example of how it is possible to adapt and use materials which are safe, promote recycling and present us with opportunities to make three dimensional creations which encourage children to plan and design their own constructions - all important technological processes!

I'm interested to hear more about what you think of this and additional ways we could overcome possible resistance in order to provide children with challenging (yet safe) opportunities to learn about and through technology.   

Fostering adults' learning about and through technology through blogging!

Hi all

Last week was a busy session and I was surprised by the intensity of the blogging tutorial.  Thankfully from what I could see everyone who attended this session managed to access the course blog and set up their own blogspot.  It was a very productive (sometimes frustrating) process which reflected both the complexity and joys of learning something new - felt great once we've mastered it!  One of the things I was very impressed by was the way members of the class scaffolded each others' learning.  Lots of paraellels here between children's and adults' learning...

As you know I am new to blogging too so I learnt a lot by seeing how members of the class set up and used their blogspots and we helped each other trouble shoot as problems arose.  What tips would you have for newcomers to blogging based on last week's session?  e.g. has anyone found out how to make their photo available for all followers to see?

Welcome to blogging for People, Place, Things and Events

Congratulations!  If you are reading this bog then two amazing things have happened 1/ I created my first blog and 2/ you found me!  Blogging is a new experience for many of us in the class so it will be a learning curve as we figure out how to use this technology as a tool for writing your first assessment.

In keeping with the theme of how we can foster children's learning about, and through technology, I am posting a few photos of Zoe when she was about 8 months old and into exploring the vacuum cleaner.  What learning is going on for her here?  What could I have done next to build on this learning?

 


I look forward to working reading your blogs!

Tamar