Digital Cameras
In my centre children have free access to use digital cameras by collecting them off the post. They are encouraged to use it to record their own and their peers interest and learning. When children take photographs they can learn skills for the future, explore the functions, take meaningful photos, download and ethics.
Children are curious when I use the camera and are intrigued to do the same. Children want to observe their environment through a new lens creating theories of how the world works (Ministry of Education, 1996). My centre had a children’s camera before it got broken. I believe this should happen again as children enjoyed taking their own photos often. I think it would beneficial with the growing technological world if they had more opportunities to explore. Children will be able to “participate in society as informed citizens and give them access to technology related careers” (The New Zealand Curriculum, 2007, p. 32).
The first thing children learn is how to turn it on. I show children the functions they can use, such as zooming or deleting. The New Zealand Curriculum (2007) states exercising the “constituent parts of systems” develops understanding of how technology works and the reason behind the functions (p. 32). I should ask if they’ve used a camera before. Children may know the information and recall the past experiences themselves (Talay-Ongan & Ap, 2005). This would make a stronger home to centre connection (Arthur, Beecher et al, 2005). I could communicate with parents whose child has an interest in photos where together we can extend their learning, such as making a story book. 
While children use the camera, many photos are taken. I believe guiding children to learn techniques of taking meaningful, keepsake photos is important to learn what photography is about. Children can focus on what their taking a photo of, process if it’s of interest to them and if they would review later on. I can do this by being present with the children allowing time to support. On the other hand I may view a photo as meaningful and a child has a different view. I need to encourage children to “…give reasons for their choices and to argue logically” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 89). I should be understanding and respectful of a child’s ability to make decisions (Ministry of Education, 1996). This will demonstrate appropriate social behaviour and promote self confidence for the child. 
I encourage children to download and print their photos from the computer. The children enjoy waiting at the printer and sticking the hard copy into their portfolios, which are on offer at any time. I believe I could encourage revisiting portfolios as it’s a great reflection tool that is sometimes not taken full advantage of. “A competent learner…reflects on tasks and accomplishments” (Mindes, 2006, p. 141). I believe the child should decide how the photos are displayed is a great way of using child directed activities and letting them decide how they want to revisit the photos. Talay-Ongan & Ap (2005) states memory development occurs when created mental images “linked together in a sequential and related order” (p. 71). I could let parents know their child’s experience, developing the connection between home and centre (Arthur, Beecher et al, 2005). It’s important as some children don’t always remember’ after their day but with prompt parents can be more communicative. 
I strongly believe children should have the opportunity to learn about other children’s rights in the classroom community (Mindes, 2006). This develops personal privacy skills and respecting others if they wish to not be photographed. The New Zealand Curriculum (2007) believes children should be aware of the “ethics, legal requirements, protocols, codes of practice, and the needs of and potential impacts on stakeholders and the environment” (p. 32). It’s important for me to explain rules, such as not taking photographs in the bathroom, explain why there are rules are in place and any consequences.
References
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Death, E., Dockett, S., & Farmer, S. (2007). Programming
and planning in early childhood settings (4th ed.). South Melbourne,
Australia: CENGAGE Learning.
Mindes, G. (2006). Social studies in kindergarten. In D. F. Gullo (Ed.), K today teaching and learning in the kindergarten year (pp.107-115). Washington, DC: National Association for the Education of Young Children.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington, New
Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mō ngā mokopuna o Aotearoa : Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Talay-Ongan, A., & Ap, E. A. (Eds.). (2005). Child development and teaching young children. Southbank, Australia: Thomson Social Science Press
Image References
Best Kids Digital Cameras: A Quick Guide (n.d). Kids Digital Cameras: The PerfectGift For
Your Child. Retrieved from http://www.squidoo.com/kids-digital- camera-
buyers-guide
Best Kids Digital Cameras: A Quick Guide. (n.d). What To Look For When Buying A Kids
Digital Camera. Retrieved from http://www.squidoo.com/kids-digital-
camera-buyers-guide
Hey megan
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had an ongoing experience with this activity from children taking the photos, learning the rules, while also using the photos to recall their experiences while printing them out. Through reading you reflection you explained how you worked through each of the steps like taking the photos, and printing them from the computer, since these are all forms of technology did you observe the learning the children gained from these objects as well? While reading you blog I could see you linked your observations and experience to great literature that backed up what you said or thought. Not only that, I liked how you explained that the photos the children took will be placed in the children’s portfolio, so the parents could connection their child’s day from home to the centre. Another way you could make this connection, is display the photos on a wall, with the children took in the centre, to make it visible for the parents to see as they walk in to collect there children. Overall Megan I felt you wrote a great detailed reflection as you clearly stated how you felt and believed throughout out it. :)
Megan, well written blog, I enjoyed reading it. I can defiantly see this is an ongoing experience in your centre, this is great. I love how the children can place the photos in their portfolio; this obviously involves some non digital technology as well as they have to cut out the picture and use glow to stick it in their portfolios. This probably keeps the children busy for quite some time as it quite a big process, from taking the photo, downloading, choosing some, print them and sticking them in their book, and what a great way to revisited that activity. You have some great links to relevant literature, it great to see you can back up what you believe in. There are also great links between Te Whaariki and the New Zealand curriculum. It is also nice to see the beautiful photos of the children enjoying themselves and gaining all this non digital and digital technology. Ka Pai Megan. Well done, I can’t wait to read your next blog, keep it up.
ReplyDeleteKia Ora Megan,
ReplyDeleteI can see that you really took a lot of time to compile this reflection and put a lot of effort into it to ensure that your readers could picture the full experience that you went through with the children. I really enjoyed reading all of the connections you made with the many different literature that you referenced. This added another aspect to your reflection as I could further my knowledge on the academic side of this technology. The photos you used were also great evidence to see children being involved with cameras and also painted a bigger picture for me as I read through your reflection. What other things do you think the children would have discovered from this experience? Maybe they have cameras at home that they could use and bring in the photos to display in your centre. This would create a great connection from home to the centre for the children. I am very excited to read your next entry as this one was excellent! ☺ Ka pai to mahi, keep up the good work Megan.
Hey Megan
ReplyDeleteWow, it’s cool that your children have free access to the cameras. What knowledge do you gain from observing the children using the cameras? When watching the children operate the cameras do you notice anything you never did before? Do you ask open-ended questions when the children are using the cameras to extend their knowledge about this piece of important technology? If you wanted to bring home life into the centre you could talk about if their families have camera and what they take photos of? Maybe, asking yourself these types of questions could help you develop a deeper understanding of what learning you have gained from children using cameras. You have really good links to literature so, keep it up.