Making recycled paper- digital technology
This morning in my centre I decided to do the activity of making recycled paper with the children, as this is an activity that they really like to do and is also an exciting an easy way of demonstrating how the children can use technology to produce and develop something new. The first thing the children did was cut up old paper into small strips so that they could fit them into the blender. During this experience I noticed that the children were further developing and enhancing their fine motor skills and hand eye co-ordination through holding the paper and also doing by cutting with the scissors. Te Whāriki states that “using many materials for different purposes enables children to recognise that different technologies may be used in various places and settings” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 95). Once the children had finished cutting the paper I then set up the blender for the children to begin to put these strips and some water into the blender. While doing this the children began to develop mathematical skills as they had to measure how much water they were going to put into the blender.
I decided to take a step back and not show the children how to turn on the blender as I wanted to see if they could work out for themselves how to turn it on. I then asked the children if they have used a blender before. I was really surprised when one child said “yeah mummy uses this at home” and then turned it on. I usually tend to show children first about how to use technology but this time I decided to wait and see if they could do it alone. I have learnt from this activity that I should not underestimate children’s technological abilities as they are more than capable of figuring it out on their own first. The New Zealand curriculum states that “through the technological knowledge strand, students develop knowledge
particular to technological enterprises and environments and understandings of how and why things work” (Ministry of Education, 1993, p. 34).I felt that the most important technological aspect of this activity is when the children have to use the blender to blend the paper with water so that it forms a thick pulp substance which is then further used to produce the recycled paper. In Child development and teaching young children it states that “technology has gained acceptance in education of young children as being a tool, a medium for providing possibilities and opportunities for children” (Talay-Ongan, 2005, p. 226). From this experience I have noticed that the children began to develop and enhance their mathematical and science skills. They developed their science skills through the process of blending the paper and water together and changing it into a thick liquid substance.
Once the children had finished blending all the paper I then helped them with pouring the pulp into a large container where they then submerged the screen so that the pulp substance will stick onto it. They then place the pulp onto a sheet of paper to let it dry before they could use the finished result. Overall from this experience I have learnt that instead of jumping in straight away to help children with technology I should not underestimate their abilities and give them the opportunity to try and figure out how to work the technological device or equipment first.
References
Ministry of Education. (1993). The New Zealand Curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki He Whāriki Mātauranga mō ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa Early Childhood Curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Talay-Ongan, A. (2005). Child Development and Teaching Young Children. Victoria, Australia: Gengage Learning.
Photo references
Flicker. (2012). How to make paper. Retrieved from http://www.flickr.com/photos/bzedan/sets/967347/detail/?page=2
Hi Jessica
ReplyDeleteWhat a great refection you have written, I really liked the fact that you stepped back to see if the children knew how to turn on the blender. This way the children can learn from exploring the piece of equipment. Reading through you explained you shouldn’t underestimate children when it comes to technology. I completely agree with you there, that is why I liked how you have given the children the change to have a go by themselves. Through your observations you have shared within your reflection it clearly shows there was a great amount of learning gained through using this technology. I really enjoyed reading this reflection on how you made paper with the children, as I haven’t heard of it before so it was something new to read about., great work Jesssica :)
Jessica, I really like what you have done with the children, this is a very good post on digital technology (blender ect.) and non digital technology (cutting ect.). It is great to see you take that step back and leave the children to explore this piece of technology. Most children learn best by exploring these things for themselves. You have got some great link between Te Whariki and the New Zealand curriculum, well done. After reading your reflection I can clearly see how much knowledge you and the children gained from this experience. Jessica this is well written and interesting the whole way through. You have got some interesting and relevant pictures. Jessica, was it a challenge for you to step back and leave the children to use the blender and the power, to work it out for themselves? Ka pai on another great reflection Jessica.
ReplyDeleteHey Jess, I like how you and the children worked together to make recycled paper. I never knew you had to put it in the blender. I can see you took in to consideration what learning the children were actually gaining from this fantastic experience. I like how you tested the children to see if they knew how to operate the blender. It’s good to see that you are allowing the children to do things for themselves as this is important for their confidence. Did you like watching the children have a turn with the blender or did this make you nervous? Through this learning experience with the children did you talk to them about what was happening and why recycled paper is important? Asking questions like this may help to enhance the children’s knowledge. Overall I can see you have put a lot of effort into this great reflection. Tumeke!
ReplyDeleteKia Ora Jess,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this reflection as making paper is a new experience to me and I have not tried this within my own centre. It is great being able to read about different experiences and I am definitely excited to be able to benefit from your own learning experiences. I thought it was really helpful that you included a child's voice in this reflection as it further proves to you that children definitely have a vast knowledge of technology that they see around them at home and inside the centre. You have discovered some really good literature to back up your writing and I can see that it has also supported your own ideas. Are there any other ways you could enhance this experience? Maybe you could discuss the different types of technology with the children as they seem very independent and im sure would be very interested to learn more about what they are doing. Great reflection Jessica.