reflections

Dorothy L. Thomas May 27, 2009 EDM 300 What are your initial thoughts about young children using technology? Why is understanding multiple intelligences important in early childhood education? What challenges do you foresee in taking this course?

Initially I feel that modern technology can be a positive component in the classroom of the preschooler. In the article "Computers And Young Children", I am in agreement with Haugland (1992), that children three and four years old have great developmental gains through the use of computers than children who have not. Computer programs help to open a child's eyes to language, literacy, art, socialization, development of cognitive skills, math, science and music. They can work on the computer alone or with a friend guided by teacher direction. Computer technology in the early childhood classrooms addresses all these areas and this is why it is so inportant to understand Gardner's Theory Of Multiple Intelligence and base the children's learning on his theory. The biggest challenge for me is that my experience on the computer is more than limited. There are so many things that I need to learn how to do that most times, I am embaressed to ask. I just knew the basics like how to get on and off line, how to do some research and gather information, how to start he games for the children in the classroom, pay bills (of course) and how to get my papers typed. The stuff that I call fancy stuff (altering documents and returning them to the sender, attachments etc.), I find very challenging and am very nervous about. I don't really foresee any other challenges because I enjoy and am very interested in what I study and the work that I do.

FINAL REFLECTION PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT When I first started this class, I had no confidence that I knew how to do much more on the computer than getting online to pay bills, obtain research or type a paper. I now feel more comfortable with the technology. I'm becoming familiar with e-mailing attachments, downloading things like pictures and photographs, powerpoints using photographs and sound, things that I never in my wildest dream thought of even trying. I've become more independent when using the computer. I began this class knowing little about technology. In five weeks I have learned an abundance of things. I feel now that I can control the computer. I'm no longer intimidated or afraid to try things. The resources for the children that I teach are very important to me. There are now new websights that I can use with the children instead of using the same old discs with them and just sitting with them. I can now create stories and find new lesson plans that will keep their interest. I see myself using everything I've learned in the past five weeks. I would be very interested in furthering my computer skills. I do think that that would be a course that I would like to take in the fall or spring semesters. I just feel that with so little time (five weeks) and balancing family and career that I didn't get a chance to really shine and show what a good student I can be however, I do feel that I made a good impression as a hard working student. My plans for using and maintaing my digital portfolio would be to invite more people into my wikispace and continue to add to my artifacts and reflections. I want to keep my wikispace active because it is an accomplishment that I never thought I could achieve. I am so proud of myself. I would use it for future courses if needed or employment. I have much gratitude to Ms. Schnupp for having patience and faith in me in completing this course and all the help she gave me. I am also very appreciative to my colleagues for the help they gave me every time I got "stuck." I will be using this portfolio much in the future.