disco light

Blog 3

It was ‘show and tell’ day and one of the children had brought a disco light to the centre. During mat time, J with the help of teachers plugs in the disco light in the power point and turns it on. The children were so excited to see the lights rotating and different colours flashing as it rotates. To extend on their interest I turned the room lights off and turned on the music on the CD player. The room was full of different rotating lights and children were dancing, jumping, and were having lots of fun. Those children who did not want to join in were offered the chance to take photographs using digital the camera, supported by another teacher.

Some of the children were pointing to their favourite colours as it lights up and rotates. Some of them were showing curiosity by asking questions such as “how these things works,” “why it is moving.” Children in this experience had opportunity to gain in the knowledge and understanding of the world, for example, operating equipment, what is the use of different equipment such as these disco lights, which are used at night for parties, and children had an opportunity to recognise the everyday uses of technology such as electrical equipment. The incorporation of this equipment into the centre enabled children to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make effective use of them. Te Whāriki suggests, “children develop the confidence to choose and experiment with materials, to play around with ideas, and to explore actively with all the senses” (p. 88). This is further supported by Ministry of Education, 2005a stating technology equipment “can enhance children’s learning and encourage purposeful and exploratory play, collaboration, cooperation, discussion, creativity, problem- solving, risk taking and flexible thinking” (p. 3).  In this experience children were taught regarding electrical equipment and were able explore their potential and develop their skills and understanding through the provision of meaningful, enjoyable , stimulating, active play experiences. This is further described by Ministry of Education, 2005b encouraging “ICT use to support teaching and learning practice, the integration of ICT into children’s experiences to enhance their learning, and introduce ICT as a resource to support practice (p. 2).   

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