Final Refection: Goodbye Fellow Bloggers

As I reflect back on the creating of my blog and coming to understand people places things and events I feel that I now have the knowledge to share with my colleagues, that a blog is not something to be afraid of, instead it can enhance the way in which we deliver and share information about our centre and the fantastic experiences, not only my centre, but other centres are providing for the children of today. My first realisation was this course wasn’t about the computers and electronic components, it was about how to deliver our findings. Technology is everywhere, in every aspect of life and children are immersed and using tools that make life easier and more manageable every day. Technology is never stagnate because even if we find or develop equipment that supports an activity, technology is evolving daily to further inform and make better what we already have. The importance of people, places and things on children's learning and development has been bought to my attention in more meaningful ways. Planned and Spontaneous events that take place in the centre have helped inform me as an educator in providing for children the opportunity to explore their world outside of the centre especially if they are in full time care.

Looking through a technical lenses you can discover new ways of describing your work. Over all for me, it has been the way in which we deliver our findings. When I first started this degree I couldn’t even type. Then came the Internet, although I was good on goggle, then emails, now a blog. With the help of some class friends to get me started I felt some of the frustration children must feel when all you want to do is have a go yourself, but well meaning people don’t allow you to learn by experience because you are to slow, or they feel frustrates because it’s just quicker for them to do it. (Smorti, S. 1999, p.6) states “it is the doing that is important, rather than the product” Being the learner you can actually feel yourself pushing yourself and growing in skills which is a great feeling identifying with the wonderment and pride of achievement children must feel when they master new activities.The class blog and the sharing of experiences has almost been like a data base of ideas that we can now implement in our own centres.

Sometimes ITC is overlooked in centres and my centre is one of those that finds it easier to find an excuse for children not to use computers and cameras, citing that they are too valuable to allow children to use. (Tsantis, l. Bewick, C. & Thouvenelle, S. 2003, p1) states “some myths are so convincing that they become subtle obstacles or obvious barriers to using computers in the early childhood area". On reflection I feel it is the teachers own insecurities with technology that is the real reason so as a team I hope to build on teacher child involvement and together work on providing the children and teachers with more confidence with computers. Te Whariki suggests as sighted by Smorti (1999) if educators in early childhood are to scaffold learning for children we need to broaden our understanding in the world of technology and continue extending our own skill base.

Well one more skill I can tick of as achieved, maybe not mastered, but definitely in the positive experience basket. I bid you all a goodbye, not long to go now, thank you for sharing your journeys, ups and downs and

sometime bewilderment. I'm going to miss you all and perhaps we can create a blog of class memories and the memories we are going to create as we step forward into a safe and prosperous future.