Digital sign in sheet

This is a reflective entry that discusses an activity the children and I implemented using the computer which shows the learning and developmental opportunities that technology presents.

I have noticed lately that the children in my centre really enjoy playing on the laptops we have in our classroom, in particular the pre writing and computer skills game. This game is useful for developing children’s recognition of letters in their name which is also a focus for our programme and planning. As a result of this continued interest in the laptops the children and I decided that it might be fun to use the laptop as a tool for signing into the day-care.

Child A was the first to have a go to sign her name in using the computer. To begin she clicked onto the blank page and found the first letter of her name using her right pointer finger, “Look Aunty, I found the letter T” next she searched for the other letters of her name. While attempting to click on the letter ‘A’ she pushed the letter ‘S’ button instead “Aunty how do I get rid of this one?” she asked. I showed her where the backspace button was and explained that if she wanted to change the letters on the screen she could press that button and it would remove them.

Next it was Child B’s turn, he also used the mouse on the laptop to click onto the empty page and found the first letter of his name using his right pointer finger. He was able to type his name quickly without any assistance, I asked “do you use the computer at home?” he replied “yes my Mum lets me, and Aunty can I do my last name as well, if I push this button then it will make a space” “Tumeke Child B, show me how you can type your last name” I replied. He used the spacebar to create a space between his first and last name then proceeded to type it in, once finished he called his friends over to show them what he had achieved.  

Child C also wanted to have a go at signing her name in using the computer; she was able to navigate her way using the mouse and clicked onto the blank screen. Using her left pointer finger she typed in the letters of her first name and then asked child B which button she needed to push to create a space for her last name. Once she figured out how to do that she typed in her middle and last name. It was also noted that Child C is the only left handed child and the only one to use her left pointer finger.

The children really enjoyed the one on one activity and were able to practice their letter recognition and typing skills. Some children had difficulty because the keyboard keys are upper case but when you type them into the computer on the screen they become lower case. Children also had to master the keyboard finding out that if you push the buttons to hard then lots of the same letters would appear on the screen. It was interesting to note that the children tended to use only their pointer finger to type and it tended to be the one on their dominant hand.

“Unlike many technologies used in education in the past such as television my prediction is that the computer will stay in education for a long time to come. As time passes there is no doubt that more and more teachers and students will use it. If this prediction is correct it is essential for educators to reflect the present use of computers in classrooms and their value in learning” (Lai and McMillian, 1992, p.9).

Kent, and McNergney, (1999) state that if children are to successfully develop skills with the computer then they need time to practice and develop their skills with the support and encouragement of teachers who are confident in their own ability to use and teach computer skills.

In this experience the children had the opportunity to use technology in a different way; this was by finding the letters of their name and entering them onto the computer using the keyboard as a digital sign in sheet. The children achieved through this activity basic knowledge of the keyboard e.g. the letter buttons backspace button, space bar, and what these are used for. The children also had a chance to role model off one another as they watched their peers complete the task.

I believe that the computer is a very useful technology tool that can be used to enhance the learning and development of our children if implemented correctly. Teachers need to promote proper use of the computer and take the time to teach children correct skills in operating not only the mouse but the keyboard as well.  Lai and McMillian, (1992) agree stating that “the issue is not whether we have enough computers, but the way they are used in the classroom. When setting up the computer ensure the children can easily access the keyboard and see the screen as this will promote the understanding of symbols in the form of words, numbers, and graphics” (p. 13).

Something to think about, “other than operating the mouse, the key board, the hardware, what then do we want children to learn with computers?

A simple answer is: the same things we do when children use a pencil (a very useful ICT tool). After learning how to hold it and write with it, we want children to be able to use it” (Patterson, 1999, p. 26).

Reference List:

Kent, T, W., & McNergney, R, F. (1999). Will Technology Really Change Education From Blackboard to Web. Sage Publications Company, London: United Kingdom.

M, Patterson. (1999). Talking about IT. The First Years: New Zealand Journal of Infant and Toddler Education, 1(1), 26-27.

Wing Lai, K., & McMillan, B. (1992). Learning with Computers: issues and applications in New Zealand. Dunmore Press, Palmerston North: New Zealand.