If you asked me how I wanted to be shot? With a camera would be my answer. Andrew Green (2011) |
Until the early 2000’s the use of camera’s was limited in early childhood (and the rest of society) for three main reasons. The first being cost, until cameras were made digital, photos needed to be printed at a cost of approximately a dollar per photo. The second reason was our/children’s inability to view the photos just taken and the capability of deleting any photos they wished. The third (but not least) reason, cameras have become such a great tool within our centres is the infinite possibilities they bring when photos are down loaded onto our computers. I almost forgot there is one more reason digital cameras are such a great technology tool in early childhood, THE CHILDREN LOVE USING THEM!!!
Te Whāriki feels children need to “experience an environment where they discover and develop different ways to be creative and expressive” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p.80) and digital cameras create those experiences. Why is this so important? For children to mature into creative and expressive adults they need to have as many opportunities to express themselves (in childhood) and digital cameras allow this in a non-threatening medium. Without creative people, where are the next Einstein’s, Gates, Mozart’s and Marso’s coming from?
Digital cameras (with the help from a professional teacher) are fantastic tools to help children document their own learning by taking photos of their current interest. At a later date, the children can either reminisce or build on these interests. “The use of a digital camera can encourage children to reflect on past experiences, observe detail, share personal likes/dislikes, sequence events, record and share a significant event”(Bruce, 2008,p.22).
As we all know for cognitive growth one of the key areas is conversations between other peers, family or adults. According to Ap & Talay-Ongan(2005), “early childhood is the time in which much of the most critical learning takes place; it is during this period that secure literacy foundations are laid or not laid”(p.193). If this is correct as responsible teachers we need to ensure we make available tools to encourage dialogue and digital cameras are perfect for this. “One of the main benefits ( of photos taken with digital cameras) is encouraging dialogue with parents- children and practitioners can capture activities and experiences throughout the day that can be shared with parents and carers when they arrive to collect their children”(Bruce, 2008,p.25). In concluding this reflection, I feel digital cameras are a great tool and cannot be underestimated in the cognitive development of our children in the twenty first century, and as teachers we need to hand over our cameras to the children and not hog them for ourselves for learning stories.
References;
Ap, E. A., & Talay-Ongan, A. (2005). Child Development and Teaching Young Children. Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning.
Bruce, T. (2006). Early Childhood: A Guide for Students. London, England: Sage Publications Ltd
McNaughton, G., & Williams, G. (2009). Techniques for teaching young children: Choices in theory and practice (3rd ed.). Melbourne,Vic.: Addison Wesley Longman.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early Childhood Curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
camera images sourced from; Google Images
you are off to a good start Andrew
ReplyDeleteAndrew!
ReplyDeleteWow what a great blog that reflects the importance of digital cameras and the joy that they can bring to many. I strongly agree with you that the camera is one of the best pieces of digital technology. I believe that cameras can provide for so many memories and provide a medium for reflection and recalling of past events.
CHILDREN DO LOVE CAMERAS and it is great to see their competence and smiles when they have the opportunity to use them. Like you, I believe the advances in technology (photos being downloaded at no cost) have allowed for more frequent us of cameras by the children. Cameras do provide for a great learning tool for children and they lay the foundations for understanding technology that will be common in their future.
I also believe that children need to have many opportunities to express themselves creativity otherwise we will potentially grow into a world where expression is lost. What other ways/resources could we as teachers provide to children in order to help them be creative?
I really feel you value digital cameras as a important tool for children to experience in the centre. I feel this is of upmost importance as cameras are part of home life and we seem to be surrounded be them. The children at your centre are privileged to have a teacher like you that sees the value of digital cameras and provides opportunities for children to use them.
Thank you for providing me new insight on the benefits of digital cameras; I hope we both continue to use them with the children in our centres
Hi Andrew your blog is great and I really enjoyed reading your thoughts. I totally agree with you that digital cameras are one of the best technologies that has been made. Children really do love using cameras and instantly want to see the picture. Digital cameras have made this possible for them and us. You mention children discovering and exploring and learning different ways to be expressive and creative. Well what better way than using the digital camera. I love this piece of technology as it means that children can be anywhere and capture each moment they wish. The camera can be used in many different ways, solo, with friends, inside and outside with nature. However children want to use it they will always have joy and pleasure when looking back at the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI also like that you have mention how letting the children do the editing is away the children feel empowered. Giving children the power is so satisfying for them as they are able to really prove they are capable and confident in their abilities.
I also definitely agree with teachers handing over the camera and not hogging it for them. If we worry about the children damaging them if that is the reason why teachers hold onto them then where is the empowerment in that and how is children’s learning and knowledge meant to develop.
Hi there fellow friend, your post is fantastic and like you I totally agree that digital cameras are the must have in the centre these days. Letting children take photos gives us the opportunity to see things from their view and thus creating further opportunities to develop their learning and their interests in technology. Unfortunately for some children in alot of centres they don't get to experience using digital cameras (unless they are broken and used for pretend) and most of the time its because the teachers don't want to risk having the cameras broken or lost and in some cases the teachers may not be bothered with ensuring the cameras are used properly. I let children use my camera and I show them that I trust them completely and I feel that when they feel we trust them so much with something so valuable something inside them shines brighter, their confidence grows and your relationship strengthens. Digital cameras are awesome, children are able to capture their moment and look at the picture they have taken and the look on their face when they see the images they have taken...priceless!!! You have reflected well on the greatness of digital cameras and are doing technology justice. Ka pai to mahi Andrew.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrew
ReplyDeleteGreat reflection on the use and value of a camera. What better way to capture moments and cherish it later than to use digital camera. I would like to share a short story of myself with you. When I was growing up, I must only have had about 10 photos of myself. I really struggled to get a baby photo of myself when we did a group presentation on making creativity visible. This was hugely attributed to the fact that cameras were expensive and was a toy only for the rich. Things have changed over the past thirty years. My families and friends have so many photo’s of my son. Why? It is because cameras have become affordable and with technology, I have been able to send photo’s through e-mails. It will be so easy for me to collate all the candid moments of my son when I will prepare a journal for his 21st birthday.
Indeed the digital camera has brought about a revolution and has opened doors for limitless opportunities. Educators use it to do learning stories, children use it to capture moments of their peers. It is a tool for children to be expressive and creative. The children absolutely love it and it is our job as educators to encourage and empower them to use it frequently.