During this month my colleague and I have been encouraging the use of the technolog
y in the classroom. The class has one computer to 12 children, so we find it really hard to cater for the children in this learning space especially when they all want a turn. As we brainstormed ways and strategies in dealing with the situation one child approached us with an idea, which was to have a laptop in class as well. We were amazed with this child's idea that we decided to build on it and provide the children with the opportunity to also use a laptop in class.
y in the classroom. The class has one computer to 12 children, so we find it really hard to cater for the children in this learning space especially when they all want a turn. As we brainstormed ways and strategies in dealing with the situation one child approached us with an idea, which was to have a laptop in class as well. We were amazed with this child's idea that we decided to build on it and provide the children with the opportunity to also use a laptop in class."D" is a child that enjoys to explore different learning spaces so when 
we brought the laptop in the classroom he was very eager to have a turn. With his eagerness we gave him the chance to explore the laptop first. In the previous weeks I have observed "D" on the computer. During my observation of "D" on the computer I could see how much confidence he had, he knew where the delete button was, he knew where the space bar was and knew how to direct the cursor into the right place. With that confidence and interest he was able to have peers sit alongside him and he would show them how to use the computer. Smorti (1999) says "technology is about helping people solve problems" (p.1).
we brought the laptop in the classroom he was very eager to have a turn. With his eagerness we gave him the chance to explore the laptop first. In the previous weeks I have observed "D" on the computer. During my observation of "D" on the computer I could see how much confidence he had, he knew where the delete button was, he knew where the space bar was and knew how to direct the cursor into the right place. With that confidence and interest he was able to have peers sit alongside him and he would show them how to use the computer. Smorti (1999) says "technology is about helping people solve problems" (p.1).I believe with "D" interest with the computer has led him to be really eager to use the laptop. Before we provided "D" with the laptop we had a mat time where my colleague and I discussed the use of the laptop and the rules that come with using the laptop. Some children had no idea what a laptop was and the children that knew what a laptop was were able to explain what a laptop is all about to the peers that had no idea.
With the discussion finished "D" sat down on the laptop and started to move the cursor around on the desktop. I could see that the way he was moving the cursor he was looking for something, this is when I decided to intervene and ask if he would like some help. "D" explained to me that at his house he uses the laptop if his mum is busy on the computer. He carried on to say that on his laptop his mum opens up a programme where he can draw and paint pictures. With "D" explanation I was able to open the same programme for him so he can draw and paint. As I observed "D" in this programme he was so involved in what he was doing. The concentration and the focus he had was so obvious through his facial expression.
As I continued to observe "D" I noticed that the same confidence he had on the computer was the same confidence he demonstrated while he was using the laptop. "D" drew pictures of different shapes using lines. When I asked him if he was able to identify the shapes he was drawing he described each shape with no hesitation.
"As educators we need to understand how modern
technologies can help us better meet the social,
physical, and learning needs of young children" (Tsantis, Bewick & Thouvenelle, Examining some common about computer use in the early years, 2003, p.8).
"D" has shown me and his peers that were around him that he is capable to use this piece of technology. To extends knowledge on the computer and laptop I will provide "D" with the opportunity to learn step by step the way to access the programme he enjoys at home in his preschool environment. I will also support "D" in learning how to save his work on the computer or laptop so he can access it another time and add to it. In this way "D" will be able to share this knowledge with his peers and provide his peers with the same knowledge as himself. Therefore, Ap & Talay-Ongan states " children's use of computers, television, video, CD, DVD players and cameras enables them to access a world of animation and imagination, story, music and movement in enriched and engaging ways" (2005, p.226).Smorti, S. (1999) Technology in Early Childhood, Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999.
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Southbank, Victoria: Thompson Social Science Press.
Tsantis, L. A., Be wick, C. JJ., & Thouvenelle, S. (2003). Examining some common about computer use in the early years. Young Children. Vol 58 (1), pp. 1-9.
“Computer technology has the potential to engage children in exploration, experimentation, problem-solving, and creative thinking …” (Schirrmacher, 2006, p.309). This is evident in your blog whereby Child D has been empowered while he enjoyed and learned. You have supported his interactive use of computer technology by accommodating his suggestions to bring your laptop and use it in class. Child D is using the computer to individualise his learning and expresses himself creatively when he uses the computer to draw and paint pictures. At such a young age, Child D has already developed such confidence in operating the computer. In the process, his social skills have been further developed when he shares, speaks, works and learns along with his peers.
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Schirrmacher, R. (2006). Art and creative development for young children. (5th ed.). New York, United States of America: Thomson Delmar Learning.