I observed the children using the kidpix game on the mimio board. Kidpix is a creative canvas with different tools children can use to create works of art, for example spray paint, chalk, stamps, pencil and crayon.
As i was observing the children using the mimio board I had never really thought about or realised how this peice of technology benefits child development and thier learning. I discovered that when using the pen on the board the children were practing their pencil grip, fine motor skills and pen control. They were also able to use the pen to drag objects over onto their canvas and place colours over top of one another with out them mixing as they would if they were using paint and paint brush in the art corner. I really liked that they were able to do this with the pen as it gives them a different perspective and way of creating works of art. The New Zealand Curriculum state that "graphics and other forms of visual representation offer important tools for exploration and communication" (Ministry of Education, 2007, pg32).
The children also like to look at what is on the laptop screen and then on the mimio board, as they are able to see the changes on the laptop screen without watching the child. Oldridge states that when "there is room for more than one child to participate in the activity verbal, cooperative and supportive interaction can occur " (2007, pg9). I noticed that this is also a very social activity as children are using the mimio board their friends are watching what they are doing and talking to them about it. Children also come in groups and stand to watch what is happening on the laptop.
I noticed one child who was using the mimio board to create a work of art, I watched as he was really confident. This child rarely goes into the art coner or to the collage table, so I was very suprised that he was taking time and care with his drawing. I thought about this as I watched him , maybe he isnt confident using paint or it just isnt an interest area for him. I have also noticed that this child uses the iPad quite alot, it may be the pulling and pushing of the images and graphics that draws him into using the mimio board as his art canvas instead of paper. It is alot easier to control the paint and draw with on the mimio board than paper so they could also be why hes interested in using the mimio board. I obsereved as he opened up the colour chart and was able to choose from a range of colours and differnt grapics, not just three or four that would be out on the art table.
Te Whariki states that "children use a variety of technologies for different purposes as they explore their world" (Ministry of Education, 1996, pg98) this child was able to explore his creative side through this peice of technology. Oldridge states that " from teachers knowing the software well enough to use it to follow a child's interest and to draw links across the wider curriculum" (2007, pg9).I beleive that this peice of teachnology helped encourage this child to try something new, and could lead him into the art corner to try with paint and a paint brush.
After thinking about what other games I could put up on the mimio board, I came to realise that depending on what sort of learning outcome you wanted to acheive you could use differnt games on the board to acheive them. I think this is really important as it is another way to enhance leaning and development through a different medium.
Heya Chloe!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading this reflection, I noticed at first you didnt relaise how much learning was going on for the children. But after you observed and noticed the children gaining social skills, literacy skills you then saw how beneficial this piece of technology can be.
I really liked the way you facilited the childrens learning when experimenting with different ideas and ways you could use the mimo board. Keeping it freash and exciting, keeping the children interested and involved. Kaipai Chloe.
From Jess :) x
I really liked how there was a lot of exploration going on throughout this experience with the children. I think exploration is great as children engade in more spontanious experiences.I believe that these experiences are the richest and the best for children as they learn new things and gain more skills, not to mention the fun you can have when it is spontanious.
I also likes the way the children didnt have to many restrictions and they were able to have to freedom to use the pens and write and draw whatever they chose. This is increasing their literacy as they write there names. Ministry of Education, 1996 states that children experience with some of the technology and resources for mathmatics, reading and writing, (pg.78).
I love how through your observations of the children you were able to see that using what is typically a game is actually teaching the children life skills that they will need further on in life.
ReplyDeletePencil grip to hold the stylus pen and even sharing and turn taking.
Looking at the laptop and the screen is also going to expand their knowledge by thinking about how it gets from the laptop to the Mimio board and what happens in between these to items.
Hey Chloe!
ReplyDeleteWhat an awesome piece of technology that you have in your centre and what a fascinating experience for the children to take part in.
You said that when the children were using the Mimio board, they were able to place different colours on top of each other without them mixing as they would if they were painting with a paint brush in the art corner. I’m sure that this added to their wonder and curiosity when they were using the mimio board as quite often children seem to paint over the first colour on their paintings (in my experiences anyway).
Smorti (2002) suggests that “technology is also a creative and purposeful activity” and even though you were not fully aware of the benefits that this experience could have for the children before you observed them it definitely proved to be very beneficial for them, especially for the little boy who rarely takes part in art experiences.
:)
Hey Chloe,
ReplyDeleteInteresting blog, I learnt what a Mimio Board is! What a great piece of equipment to have at your centre for the children to explore and create with!
I like the way you observed the children and did not seem to intervene as this allows them to explore the equipment and be creative on their own but they are aware of your presence for support or guidance if necessary. Brownlee (2007) states that creating must belong to the child and they need to be able to do it their way. Too many times teachers tend to take over and valuable learning opportunities for children are lost.
In regards to the child who seemed to be confident with the Mimio Board and iPad, I wonder if this is all he knows at home, technology in it's latest form. He may not feel comfortable (or be allowed to) get messy with a paintbrush, just a thought.
Thanks for an interesting read.
What a cool technology device to have in your centre Chloe! I think it would be great for the children’s’ fine motor skills, also I’m assuming the image is much larger so the children would be definitely developing their hand/eye coordination. I believe this as their perception of the image has changed, seeing a different size to what is normally on the computer. Ministry of Education (1996) states as part of the exploration strand that children use a variety of technology for different purposes as they explore the world they live in. The children in your centre are experiencing the image on a laptop, and a big screen.
ReplyDeleteI liked reading how about the boy who was interested in “digital art” rather than hands on. It makes you wonder why he feels this way; perhaps at home he has access to art on a computer. It was awesome to read how he was engaged in it though, very cool!