IT (Infant's Technology)

With exhaustion over, much needed sleep caught up on and once again in the comfort of jeans and thongs... I can now reflect on my learning experiences of Practicum 3.

Without a doubt, implementing learning experiences with technology was a near impossible task as a student teacher. My Co-operating school employed a progressive approach to learning via technology with Stage one programs collegially developed using notebook software; focusing all lessons on or around the Smartboard.

However, computer lessons took place for half an hour just once a week. Now, just imagine 23 Year one student’s unleashed in a room full of ‘playing’ equipment trying to boot up their computers and log on... just how long do you think that would take? Well, let me tell you the lesson was almost over by the time each student had complied with this requirement. This leads me to question the intent and specific outcomes of such a lesson.

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Is it feasible for 6 year olds to rely on such a limited time in this learning environment to become members of the digital native population? Or should technology be abundant within the learning environment in other non-invasive ways?

It’s not for lack of trying on the teacher’s behalf, with professional development lectures on compiling reports online to creating digital stories and participating in video conferencing, teachers not only of the modern era but ‘old school’ have been forced (most willingly, but some apprehensively) to conform to the demand of implementing technology within the learning environment. And good on them!