Did you know that when computers first came on the scene there was this deep concern that it will isolate children? Yes, parents and educators alike were all concerned but subsequent research has alleviated that.
Have you noticed how children take to technology as we’d say in Trinidad “like duck to water?” For years, I am in awe at my favourite nephew’s marvellous abilities with computer and in fact any technology. From him, I have come to realise that children have no fear, no reservation, no holding back like so many adults when it comes to working/playing with technology. I know that I am guilty of shamelessly using my nephew whenever I am stuck with a new gadget or even with my computer. His fingers just seem to know which knob to turn, which key to tap and voila! the “problem” is solved. That which to me seemed so impossible is so easy to this 21st century techno-savvy child.
By the way computers have not isolated children rather they have been the catalyst for social interaction among young people. According to (Muller and Perlmutter 1985) children at the computer spent nine times as much time talking to peers while on the computer than while doing puzzles. Notice the next time you see your students working with the computers how they are always many of them playing games, Instant Messaging or on Face-Book. Children using technology always seem to prefer to work with others rather than alone, thus fostering new friendships.
Imagine that indeed. When I first tried to use a mouse it went everywhere except where i wanted it to go: across the desk, at the side of the desk, under the desk. Not so with the children. They just used it as a matter of course.
ReplyDeleteThis is their world so it seems that learning and interacting weith the technology comes naturally to them. But we need to make it our world too if we are to connect with them and most of all teach them.
The technology is a natural part of their everyday lives but we need to know it just as well and even I dare say better than them. Why?Because we need to be able to show them how to use this "natural" technology as a learning tool, a literacy tool.