“Experiences with technology can pave the way for unprecedented
learning opportunities” (McManis & Gunnewig, 2012). At my centre the
children have access to a radio which is predominately used during mat times.
The children get to sing, dance, and listen to musical stories through the
radio. Lately, I have noticed that the children are requesting for the radio to
be put on during their free play time. The interest usually stems from one
child leading myself or the other teachers to the radio. Once they select the
CD that they want and press play the child instantly begins singing and
dancing. The effect is instant. Soon as children hear the music they drop what
they are doing and run to join the others. I have noticed that the children are
full of excitement during this time and they all work well with one another as
they begin to develop and share their new ideas for singing and especially
dancing while interacting and observing with one another.
The use of digital technology such as the radio gives the
children ample learning opportunities. Through listening to music through the
radio and responding to it I believe children are able to develop social,
cognitively and physically. “Exploring music, like exploring art or science,
uses physical skills, involves feelings and social relationships, and enhances
cognitive development by opening up opportunities for honing problem solving
skills” (Gonzalez-Mena, 2011, p. 428). As children move to the music from the
radio they are becoming more aware of how their body works, what it can and
cannot do as well as being aware of what is going on around them (Ministry of
Education, 1996). Through working together the children are furthering their
social skills as they are learning and developing the confidence to express and
test their ideas and take others ideas into consideration (Ministry of
Education, 1996). “In the technological practice strand, students examine the
practice of others and undertake their own” (Ministry of Education, 2007, p.
32). Through the use of the radio children are able to develop strategies for
thinking, exploring and reasoning which can aid them in future problem solving
(Ministry of Education, 1996).
From this experience I have learnt that the radio can play
an important part in furthering children’s overall learning and development. I
have realised that the world is constantly changing especially when it comes to
technology and that as teachers we are responsible for ensuring that the
children are ready to explore and cope with the new technologies around them.
For this reason I have noted that our radio is a very outdated piece of
technology, I feel that the children at my centre need to explore current
technologies for their music such as iPods. Most iPods today offer children more
than just music, children can make their own recordings where they can hear and
see themselves dancing and singing. Research has found that through iPod use
children’s vocabulary and phonological awareness have increased (McManis &
Gunnewig, 2012). I would love to introduce the children at my centre to iPods
as I believe it can give children a better understanding of their world as well
as teach them new skills. “In order to participate in this world, our children
need the confidence to develop their own perspectives as well as the capacity
to continue acquiring new knowledge and skills” (Smorti, 1999, p. 5).
Kia Ora Kathleen
ReplyDeleteThe interactions that happen with the radio are truly quite amazing. It is one of those few times that teachers have the opportunity to respond immediately to a child’s interest and allows teachers to take a step back and observe without hardly any interference. There is said to be equitable learning opportunities for learning, irrespective of gender, ability, age, ethnicity or background as children are affirmed as individuals and are encouraged to learn with and alongside other peers (Ministry of Education, 1996). For the children to be exposed to more or new technologies allows the children to be able to widen their vocabulary and be able to explore exciting and different pieces of technology. In today’s ever growing world we couldn’t function as efficiently without technology and probably wouldn’t have the pleasure of having a lot of leisure time (Fleer, & Jane, 2011).
The radio seems to be a big part of your mat times which is awesome, especially if the children are asking for it at other times. I also feel that it is great that the children are being provided with the opportunities to choose what they want to listen to. This encourages their ability to be affirmed as individuals within the early childhood setting (Ministry of Education, 1996). How do you feel about the children using the radio during other times of the day? From personal experience I have found that when the radio is played constantly through out the day the children can become so used to hearing the music that it begins to have no educational benefits for them. Do you have different CD’s with music from all different cultures for the children to choose from? I find it interesting to see the children’s reaction when something ‘different’ is being played. You can also extend the learning through using a radio by introducing different musical instruments for the children while the CD is playing in the background. This will allow them to develop the knowledge or rhythm as well as trial and error (Ministry of Education, 1996).
ReplyDeleteKia Ora
ReplyDeleteThe radio can be such a vital tool for any room as it can offer so much (Wiggly, 2007). I love that use it for more then just music and are able to play different stories over it. Something else that you mentioned that really excites me is how you allow for the children to pick their own cd to play. This to me is important as it is giving the children their independence and allowing them to think for themselves while becoming confident decision makers (Ministry of Education, 1996). The fact that you are looking at how you can incorporate more modern technology into your class room is awesome as there are so many benefits that children and yourself can get out of it. Ka Pai and good luck with that venture. Just on a last note how important do you classify music within your centre? After reading Monique's blog on the radio I have been using it a lot more within my centre and something that we really enjoy doing is playing our musical instruments to the speed of the music. The children love this cause they get to bang really fast and then slow it down. Its a great way to incorporate different technologies into your room and has many benefits for the children.
Kia Ora Kathleen
ReplyDeleteGreat to see the use of the radio within your centre, I definitely have to agree with you that your radio equipment is really outdated. In my centre we use the ipod as well the Ipad for children’s creative movement, dance, and story time and to access new child initiated music requests such as One Direction. Using the iPod for music allows teachers to move music around the centre environment whether it is inside or out, and enhances long lasting play and creative movement and dance (Talay-Ongan, 2005). I know teaches have to make do of what resources they have, but at least you have a technology device in your centre that allows children to be expressive, intuitive and have freedom to explore their bodies. Children are not seen as empty vessels, they are seen as unique individuals that are full of potential that are competent and capable of constructing their own Ideas (Isenberg & Jalongo, 2010).