Feedback on the benefits of ICT use in Early Childhood Education
(The following quotes are from the Foundations for Discovery framework).
“We often take children out on visits to their local community. The use of digital photos and video enable us to share
these experiences with family and whânau and to revisit and reflect on our trip together.” Hutt Family Daycare.
“Educators in the centre have used the internet, digital cameras and video to extend a child’s interest in helicopters.
Through adding this extra dimension to his learning, his language development in this area has been enhanced.” Parent
from New Brighton Community Preschool and Nursery.
“At A’oga Fa’a Samoa we are using digital photos to create resources for the children. The images often focus around a
trip or a special event that the children have experienced. These images are then used to create a book with the text
recorded in Samoan. These books are then used for reading and reflecting on prior experiences while supporting the
children’s language development.” A’oga Fa’a Samoa (ECE service).
“As children have become more familiar with using the information communication technology in our kindergarten they have
begun to take more of a teaching role themselves. Children are often observed assisting one another with the functions
of the digital camera and reminding one another of the appropriate way to handle the equipment.” Roskill South
Kindergarten.
“Our kindergarten displays digital images on a PowerPoint at the end of the day for family and whânau to view. These
images often provide a prompt for children to share information with their families about their experiences that day.”
Stratford Central Kindergarten.
“An interest in superhero play at the kindergarten had become evident. This was extended by a group of children walking
to a shop to purchase a blow-up Spiderman. The digital camera was used to take photos along the way to share with others
on their return and a phone call was made back to the kindergarten to assure the others that they had arrived safely.
Spiderman now goes home with children that show an interest and when he returns the child shares with the group what
they did with him and the photos that were taken of this. A story is written to support this and all of these images
have now been inserted into a PowerPoint show that is growing in size rapidly.” Roskill South Kindergarten.
“The digital images used alongside the learning stories often create heartfelt responses from family and whanau and this
is often the only motivation that teachers need to continue on with their ICT journeys in early childhood education.”
Wendy Lee, Professional Development Director.
“As professionals we are constantly articulating our own practice and look for new and exciting ways to teach.
Technology allows us to do that because there are always new things happening with technology.” Greerton Early Childhood
Centre.
ENDS