Wednesday 4th May 2011
Final Blog
Wow this whole assignment has been such a great experience. When I look back and consider what I knew about blogging before this assignment (which is nothing), I realize I have learnt so much. It has been like a blogging rollercoaster. Many ups and downs. There were plenty of frustrated attempts to upload photos and lots of proud moments resulting from clicking on the ‘publish post’ icon. The only thing that disappointed me about this assignment was that I only received three comments on two of my four blog entries. Fingers crossed I get some more tomorrow but unfortunately I cannot wait that long to publish this final post. I remember Tammar saying in class how we were originally were supposed to be put into groups of five and all comment on each other’s blogs. I think that this would have been much fairer, especially since I have seen some of my classmate’s blogs that have more than enough comments on them. However the feedback that I received from my three comments was very useful to me and my practice. To be honest I was a little nervous about having my assignment posted on the internet for everyone in my class to see. Now that I am at the end of my assignment I can see how beneficial it has been to read other blogs and get feedback on my own. I have read and been able to comment on such amazing blog entries from my class mates. It was really nice to share experiences with each other and be able to offer and receive advice.
Another thing that this blogging assignment has opened my eyes to has been the use of technology in early childhood education. Not only in my own centre, but also in my classmate’s centres. I have now realized that technology is not just computer stuff it also includes things such as cooking, weighing, building with blocks, reading books, and drawing on chalkboards. Technology is all around us. It is integrated into our lives so much now that using technology has become like breathing. Smorti (1999) states "technology is a creative and purposeful activity aimed at meeting the needs of opportunities through the development of products systems and environments (p.5)". Children learn so much through the use of technology in the centre and home environment. This assignment has made me realise how important technology is in our teaching practice. It has been such an awesome learning experience. Thanks Tammar and to everyone in my class for making this assignment so enjoyable.
Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in Early Childhood. Early Education, No.19 Autumn 1999, 5-10.
