Magnetic Whiteboard
At my home centre, we don’t use much digital technology with the children. One non-digital technology product we use daily is a magnetic whiteboard. We have a lot of magnetic resources that we use regularly e.g. magnetic stories and visual aids, resources for numbers, colours, the alphabet, and most recently some visual aids for sign language. The teachers at my centre have also been able to create resources that can be used at mat times that are relevant to the current focus topic. The children have access to these magnetic resources so they are not limited to teacher-only use.
At my home centre, we don’t use much digital technology with the children. One non-digital technology product we use daily is a magnetic whiteboard. We have a lot of magnetic resources that we use regularly e.g. magnetic stories and visual aids, resources for numbers, colours, the alphabet, and most recently some visual aids for sign language. The teachers at my centre have also been able to create resources that can be used at mat times that are relevant to the current focus topic. The children have access to these magnetic resources so they are not limited to teacher-only use.
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| Example of what some magnetic teaching resources may look like. |
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| Magnetic dress-up paper dolls |
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| A boy experimenting with magnets and a magnetic board. |
It has also been brought to my attention that at times, technology can be linked with science, as Smorti (1999) explains that some of the principles of science are involved in many things related to technology (p. 6). I think that the magnetic whiteboard is an example of how science and technology have been used in conjunction to develop a product that can help people.
When I was at Primary School, the teachers taught with a blackboard and chalk; whiteboards were predominately used as a screen for overhead projectors! It wasn’t until I was older did all classrooms even have a whiteboard, but by the time I was at High School whiteboards were the only things used. I came across a blog on the internet that examines the use of magnetic boards. The writer explains that “magnetic boards have revolutionised the way in which information is relayed in offices, schools, and even at home. They have been well embraced for the replacement of old chalk boards” and goes on to explain that “magnetic boards were first used in classrooms when they replaced chalk boards and are used by tutors for teaching purposes” and are “popular for their ease of use, re-usability, and durability” (Elmakui, 2013).
All of this has greatly impacted on my previous idea of what technology is. Before this I believed that technology was only relative to electronic devices, but now I feel I am able to recognise how even something as simple as a magnetic whiteboard is in fact technology and that we incorporate a lot more technology in our day to day lives than we realise.
If you are interested in trying to make your own magnetic board, here is a video I found on YouTube that demonstrates how you can make your own magnetic board and magnets.
References
Elmakui. (2013). What are the uses of a magnet board? Retrieved from http://en.over-blog.com/What_are_the_uses_of_a_magnet_board-1228321766-art312384.html
Ministry of Education. (1996).Te Whāriki: He whāriki mātauranga mo nga mokopuna o Aotearoa. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Ministry of Education. (2007). The New Zealand curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Smorti, S. (1999). Technology in early childhood. Early Education, 1, 5-10.
All images used were sourced from Google Image Search.
Videos
Anneorshine. (2013). DIY projects: Magnet board and how to make starfish and cupcake magnets. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjoNQcltbp4
Kia Ora Sam
ReplyDeleteIt is simple but clear and strong! Fantastic! I think you have well explained what non-digital technology is. It is great to see that you made a good links why magnetic board is technology. This reflection pursues me that it is an appropriate choice using magnetic white board as a good example of non-digital technology. Ka pai!
In the lens of technology, I realised that there are so many things we are doing at centre can be a part of technology.
In regards to your example, I remembered a blackboard we used back in those days at school. As I am old generation, I have never chanced to use a whiteboard in my school days in my country. What a shame!
However, I am glad that new generation they have gained a range of advantages from it. “ICT is transforming our daily lives and the way we learn” (Ministry of Education, 2005, p. 2).
It is good to see that your idea regarding ICT have become deeper and deeper. Brilliant!
References
Ministry of Education (2005). Foundations for Discovery: Supporting learning in early Childhood education through information and communication technologies: A framework for development. Wellington: Ministry of Education.
Sam, after reading your 2 reflections it has reminded me that one of the positive practices that I had observed during the school visit. Teacher used the white board projector to interact children with game for their mathematics learning. There was a caterpillar image projected on the white board, and part of its body was filled with some numbers and part of it needed to fill up with the correct number. Children are invited to use the pen and to draw the correct number on the bottom of the caterpillar. It was fun and interesting and everyone wanted to have a turn. This was coherently having the concept of Te Whᾱriki that “equipment should be proved for scientific, mathematical and technological learning” (Ministry of Education, 1996, p. 83). This is why I believe that children can learn their best when they are able to construct meaning from their experiences with the objects that they encounter (Piaget, 1972).
ReplyDeleteReferences:
Ministry of Education. (1996). Te Whāriki, he Whāriki Mātauranga mo ngā Mokopuna o Aotearoa: Early childhood curriculum. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media.
Paget J. (1972). The principles of genetic epistemology. New York: Basic Books.
Malo e lelei Sam
ReplyDeleteI always admire your reflection because you always refer back to your primary school days. It shows how fast the change and the use of technology. The interesting part is how we now understand when the technology started or created from non-technology. For example like when I used cooking as non-technology your comment on the past and refer to the use of pot and spoon even though is not electronic but the fact is technology only because it is available to children and help other in need(Elmakui, 2013).
I am glad to see that you have the knowledge and understanding that your magnetic board is in fact technology. I remember when I read the notes about ICT technology,it refer to something that can be able or available for children to use, something that allow them to take change of their own learning (MOE,1996).
I like using magnetic board with the children they can have a turn after telling the story.
my centre I created a lot of magnetic story like caterpillar turn into butterfly,children always ask to do at mat time because it is exciting to them when a worm finally had a wing.Interesting to see that all the resources like chalk black board and magnetic board are still exist because children still want to experience all of that so they can create something totally different and exciting.
Kapai Sam! It is always interesting reading your reflection and is a learning experience for me and also help me to understand technology.
Reference
Ministry of Education(1996). Te whariki: He whariki Matauranga mo nga Mokopuna o Aotearoa. Wellington, New Zealand: Learning Media