FINAL REFLECTION
“Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function” (Wikipedia, 2011).
Before taking this class I thought I was a technology genius, I still think I am but a digital technology genius and I can’t stress enough how much I love my “digital technology”. I admit that I was a fat head and thought “Arh this will be too easy for me I know everything when it comes to technology” but I was wrong. My attitude towards this blog at the beginning of this course was very different to the attitude I have now. In the beginning I stalled a little and shrugged it off a bit and told myself “it’s okay you’ll be fine, blogs are easy” and they are but what I discovered along the way which I value whole heartedly now is that technology is more than an ipad, a ps3 or a computer.
I can’t help but laugh because when I think about the world we live in and all the technology that surrounds us its funny to think how much we actually don’t realise what technology is. I know that technology is more than computers and electronic or digital devices but I sometimes forget to show my appreciation for the other types of technology we use every day.
From the moment I wake up I am using technology. Checking my phone for the time, switching on a light so I can see, turning on the heater to warm up our room, using the toilet, turning on the shower, putting on my clothes, brushing my hair, blow drying my hair, straightening my hair, turning the kettle on so I can have a cuppa, using the toaster and microwave and oven to make breakfast, driving my car to get to work or tech, waiting at the traffic lights and waiting for the light to turn green and so on. 
I was reminded of how simple technology can be while observing two boys at my centre play with some beyblades. Now a beyblade is a type of toy disc that you need to connect to a trigger device which then needs to be fired using a rip cord. These two boys spent quite some time trying to get the rip cord into the hand held trigger (If that’s what it’s called) but once they got that sussed they pulled the rip cord as fast as they could and away the beyblade went spinning around and around the toy arena. These two boys had to concentrate hard at getting the rip cord through the trigger device and had to pull it fast enough to get the beyblade spinning. But once they had done it they knew they had accomplished something great and put their problem solving skills to practice. I must admit it was like watching monkeys put a stick through a hole in a branch to get some bugs to eat but it was oh so cute and the looks on their faces showed that they were satisfied. Now I could have easily stepped in and offered to help and do it for them but by allowing them to figure it out for themselves provided them with the opportunity to explore and make discoveries and solve a problem (Ministry of education, 1996). Now I don’t mean to offend anyone by calling them monkeys but you know what I mean they were just so gorgeous to watch and the way they were trying to put the cord into the tiny hole reminded me and I really enjoyed being a part of this experience even though I was just observing which is what we need to be able to do sometimes, we can’t always be directly involved in their learning but we can watch the learning happen (Dunkin and Hannah, 2001).In my previous reflections I talked about some of the electronic devices I own and the types of technology I use in my centre and I admit that I was so focused on this type of technology I ignored the many other wonderful aspects that TECHNOLOGY brings. Looking at the devices I own and use every day it is clear to see that they may not necessarily solve problems but they do make my life more enjoyable and easier. I love the feedback I received from my group members and I admire their honesty as some really good points were made.
Looking back on my reflections and the feedback I received from my group I can see now that everyone has their own view on what technology is and the many uses for it. We are all different and have every right to our opinions and beliefs but that’s what makes each of us so special and great teachers. We all have our strengths and bring uniqueness to our practice. No matter how we each view technology and the importance of its use in centres, together we have a combined strength and knowledge to help us move forward into the future and you could say that is technology in itself.
Whether it be with a bucket, a camera, play dough a ps3 an ipad, a magnet or a wooden peg, being able to identify the many types of technology and the uses for them and understanding how they can benefit the children in our centre only makes it easier to accept the many changes our world is going through (Arthur, Beecher, Death, Dockett and Farmer, 2008). Even if we were to start again right from scratch, because of all the knowledge we have obtained over the decades, technology will live on forever. For technology to truly become extinct the human race would have to perish too. In saying that it can suggest that without the other neither can exist.
I have to say that I did enjoy this assessment and what a great way to share our thoughts. Technology is wonderful especially the digital devices and I cant wait to see what is bought out next, what will be the next big hype? Oooh imagine if all our assessments were done this way, at least wed be saving our trees!
REFERENCES
Arthur, L., Beecher, B., Dockett, S., Farmer, S., & Death, E. (2008). Programming and planning in early childhood settings (4th ed). Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learning
Dunkin, D., & Hanna, P. (2001). Thinking together: Quality adult child interactions. Wellington, New Zealand: New Zealand Council for Educational Research.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he whaariki mätauranga mo nga mokopuna ö Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
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