The article “Computers and Young Children” was a succinct article that appealed to me as it clearly outlined the subject matter under subheadings and gave reasons supporting the statements that were being made. By keeping the topic areas brief and linked it ensured interest in the article to a wide scope of readers. A research fact from the article that I found particularly interesting is that “computers enhance children’s self-concept, and children demonstrate increasing levels of spoken communication and cooperation” Again this article like many others I have read stresses the need for adequate teacher training in order for computers to be an effective training tool in the classroom.
image: ‘lillian jane‘
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I found the article when I was researching an assignment and began to read it. Although some of it is quite technical I found it to be relevant to the subject e learning in the primary school. The nature of the article is the results of a research grant that was undertaken into the various uses and the level of use of technology in everyday teaching practices. I was not surprised to discover that the use of technology in the classroom depends significantly on the personal views and attitudes of the teacher as well as their competency or their belief in their ability/competency.
It was found that most schools (included in the sample) used computers as a “Curriculum Tool”. The article also covers teaching methods in which technology can be incorporated in order to enhance learning experiences such as enquiry based learning. It is evident that the in order for technology to become a stronger part of the curriculum there needs to be a shift in thinking, this will obviously occur with time as teachers are already seeing and appreciating the benifits to computers in the classrooms and with time will see the great potential that they have and the diversity that they can provide lessons across the KLA’s.
In summation I believe and it is supported in this article that environments in which the teacher is open to new ideas and technologies and is able to provide experiences that value collaborative learning, problem solving and decision making by students will thrive.
‘Mass Ascension‘
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I agree with the sentiments from Robyn’s post No! We Don’t Just Need Training and Support!. The most successful learning is often achieved when it occurs through independent learning. I believe that this is because if you are the one to make the errors you are more likely to grow from the discoveries it takes to find success. As in the article and supported by Robyn I also agree that if students are provided with the opportunity to progress at their own pace and document their learning it will enrich their learning experience. From a teachers point of view this enables them to monitor strengths and weaknesses and provide tailored support. I like Robyn hope to adopt these strategies into my teaching practices in the future. On reflection of this reading it is evident that these sentiments are similar to some of those in the article that I read “The 6 C”s of Motivation.“
I have just listened to Freya’s Podcast and agree with her entirely. I love new technology but am all to often easily frustrated by it. When confronted with the smartboard in the classroom I as Freya was, was extremely daunted at the prospect of using it. After several practices at lunchtimes I became more comfortable with using it. However I was only using its most basic functions. It is therefore evident as Freya said that investing in the technology is one thing but it is lost without investment in adequate teacher training.
I have just read the article that Meaghan found entitled Constructionisim Vs Instructionism. I like Meaghan agree with so many aspects of this article. It is so important to let children be individual and make their own discoveries. It is with these opportunities that they will learn the most. The author puts it best when he says “But at school, we try to systemize and make everybody do the same thing. I just can’t understand why?” This is so true learning should be as individual as possible and most importantly relevant to the learner. I hope to achieve this in my teaching future.
The Gears of My Childhood I found to be an interesting read, succinct in its nature as it was the foreward to the book “Children Computers and Powerful Ideas“. It was extremely personal and illustrated how interests in childhood can be linked to interests and leearning throughout life. It also highlights the transference of knowledge and how information in one area can be transfered to another area and help you to understand how it functions. He as I also believe that there is a strong link between interest and practice in subjects that you are undertaking. The other key point mentioned in the article in the importance of adequate and relevant resources in supporting and encouraging learning. Although the subject of the foreward was not something that I have an interest in I could easily relate to the analogies that were used.
‘Ca faisait longtemps que j’avais pas fait+de+macro…‘
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I have just read Emily’s Blog on the Teacher Tube Video Why Let Our Students Blog and I agree with her sentiments entirely. By allowing students to bolg you are giving them control over their own learning (which helps to stimulate and maintain interest) and providing them with a platform for them to learn from each other and share their thoughts and ideas. It is also a useful program to be able to use.
This is a transcript from a story on television. It illustrates the pro’s and con’s of the role of computers in the lives of children by two well respected educators. One whom has written numerous books on this subject and takes the view that the computer is a waste of money and has taken over at the expense of 
other academic subject areas and pursuits. The other is a lecturer who is adamant that computers are a vital resource in a well rounded education. It puts simply the views that have been stated in many of my previous readings throughout the semester, which is why I began reading it. Having read the transcript I am on middle ground. I believe that computers have a part to play in education but by no means should be a focus or something that teachers should depend on. It seems currently that computers are the trend in schools and I wonder how long that will be sustained?
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The article “Skills for the Millenium – the Three X’s” sums up beautifully the attitude to the relationship between teaching, learning and technology that we all need to have. I like Clare share many of the views of Idit, her argument is simple and supported and the ideas that she presents have links to websites that enable the reader to put into practice what she is explaining. T his article illustrates the power of the internet as a teaching tool in the classroom and how it can support and benefit student learning when in collaboration with traditional learning methods.
I have just read Freyas blog on the article Inspiring Inspiration??? and I am incline to agree with all that she has said. I love mind maps and use them frequently (they were a core teaching tool right through high school for me) and I continue to use them to this day. However software that does it for you I am not completely sold on. While I appreciate that it is VITAL to embrace new technology and to keep abreast with programming and utilizing technology I think that this is an application that is going to take a while to win me over. The article while informative did not change my mind either.
