NAME : SAFIYAH HOOSANEY

STUDENT ID # : 3475670

LECTURER : MS ANNOUSHKA ISHMAEL

COURSE NAME : LEARNING WITH TECHNOLOGY

COURSE CODE : ED 5948

 Philosophy

It is my belief that parents are the first and most important teachers. Therefore, I would

encourage parents to become involved in all aspects of their childs learning process. I have

prepared learning environments for children that will aid in their natural development. I believe

in Piagets developmental theory where he expressed that maturation and interaction with the

environment change the quality and content of thought processes in the child from stage to

stage.

Question 1

What are your expectations for your students individually and as a class?

My expectation for my students as a class and individually is to provide education which

is par excellence and to play an integral role in the lives of the future leaders by contributing

to their educational background during the formative years. This interest in their education

should prepare them to graduate above mediocre level. I have created a learner friendly

environment in order to educate and promote the development of young children through

proven methods thereby creating a solid foundation as a catalyst for future learning. In my

classroom I have created an environment which allows trust, respect, responsibility, and co-

operation to flourish. It also nurtures the spiritual, social emotional, cognitive, physical and

developmental needs of each child whilst respecting their rights as independent human beings.

This environment also provides the opportunity for self-expression, creates a challenging but

safe environment and gives each child the tools necessary to realise his/her potentials.

Learning through play is a term used in education and psychology to describe how

children can learn to make sense of the world around them. Through play, children can develop

social and cognitive skills, mature emotionally and gain the self-confidence required to engage

in new experiences and environments.

 Jean Piaget, a prominent Swiss philosopher and psychologist, was one of the first

researchers to take childrens play seriously as he said All children can learn through play

(Piaget, 1962). Through his studies of children in the early 1900s, he came to recognise that

children learn step by step through experience and interaction with the world around them. In

fact, Piagets research discovered that the young mind is not capable of formal logic and

abstract thinking until the age of eleven or twelve years. Until then, children learn inductively

through experimentation and testing through hands on play.

Another philosopher that I engage is Lev Vygotsky as he spoke about zone of proximal

development as he said Each child develops at a different pace (Vygotsky, 1978) . He went

onto explain that each child matures at a different level and at a different pace therefore learning

should not be forced upon them until they are cognitively ready. The students should be taught

at the stage relative to their particular level. Vygotsky also explained that peer learning should

be also introduced in the classroom to encourage scaffolding. Bruner, another education

philosopher spoke about learning through play and peer learning. In my class, I practice all of

the above theories advocated by the different educators to produce a holistic student.

At the end of my class I would expect my students to be able to display all the qualities

mentioned above as I have encouraged learning through play in my classroom.

Question 2

What is your role in helping your students meet or exceed your expectations

epistemologically, theoretically and practically (teaching strategies)?

The age group of my students are between the ages of four to five years old. Therefore,

I play an integral role in assisting my students to meet my expectations. In the planning

process, my strength lies in demonstrating knowledge of content and pedagogy, demonstrating

knowledge of students and setting instructional outcomes. I always allow the students to share

their knowledge of whatever topic that is spoken about. I always give the pedagogical reasoning

to the students at a level that they can comprehend. When planning my units, I also cater for

the students whose motor skills are not yet developed and they will be given the options to

choose different materials that they are most comfortable with to complete their activity. This

method allows the students to get a sense of independence and comfort within themselves.

Another strategy that I encourage in my classroom is peer teaching as I have seen that the

students are able to relate to each other when opinions are given. This is done to give the

students self confidence amongst themselves with the hope that the shy students would

overcome this problem. I will build on each of my strengths by introducing different methods

of teaching and allowing the children to freely express themselves indifferent ways (Drama,

Drawing, Singing and Creativity).

Question 3

Which factors in your classroom most impact your students learning?

The factors in my classroom that impacted my students learning are charts, videos,

songs, hands on and the classroom setting. My classroom has been set up in a circular manner

so the students can be interactive with each other as they are face to face and can also do group

work.

This environment will also encourage peer learning as the more advanced students will

be able to assist the child who is having difficulty in the different subject areas. This will also

give the students a chance to interact with different children at the same time rather than only

having one friend sitting next to them. It will also help in assisting the shy student to become

more open and encourage socialization amongst themselves.

The lighting is another factor which has a great impact in the classroom as I have

fluorescent white bulbs which are focused on the desks to help with proper sight. The seating

accommodation is also another aspect that will assist in the students learning. I have child-

sized chairs and low tables for the age group that I teach. This enables the children to reach the

table when sitting and to also comfortably perform their daily tasks.

Question 4

How do you know that the learning outcomes/objectives were achieved? What

assessment methods did you use?

I know that my objectives were achieved by the students' response when questioned and

by the completion of their activity. I also take anecdotal report during play time. During this

time, I would hear their conversation as they would often role play the morning activity and
correct each other. They would even sing the songs that I would have taught in the morning

session.

The assessment method that I used for my age group is oral questioning or matching. I

used this method as my students cannot yet do writing of test on their own. My teaching has to

always be teacher directed and when I evaluate, it has to be on a one on one basis. Each term

is different because each child would maturate at a different stage. In term one I would only

use oral questioning, term two would depend on the childs ability and what stage they have

reached in the classroom. This speaks to their motor skills and eye-hand co-ordination. By third

term, most students would be able to do assessment on paper but on a one on one to ensure if

they fully understand what needs to be done. If the child's skills have not yet developed, then I

would still use oral assessment and picture reading to ensure that learning took place.

How would you and/or your students use the technology?

The use of technology in my class would be overwhelming and challenging because of

the number of students assigned to one class. Over the years I would often take my personal

laptop to school to be used in part of the lesson that I taught. I divided the class into three small

groups which I can better manage to ensure that learning took place. I used the technology to

do phonics, maths, art and to introduce my morning themes. The students always look forward

to this part of the class. Approximately three months ago, three table top computers were

donated to the school so there was no need for me utilize my computer anymore.
What value if any, will technology add to your classroom?

Technology in the classroom would enrich the students learning. The students would be

able to compare and contrast what they see in real life and on pictures from technology. The

students would be able to look and listen to educational stories, phonics and play educational

games. They will be able to manipulate the computer and get hands-on experience. Technology

will also cater for the children who have different types of learning abilities which includes the

ability to see concrete evidence as well as to manipulate and listen. This concept was advocated

in many literatures by the great philosopher in education, Howard Gardner.

What barriers exits (if any)?

The barriers that exists in my class are overcrowding, resources and humidity. The infant

department is overcrowded as there are thirty students per class with one teacher. Having this

number of students does not allow proper management and evaluation when using technology.

Another factor is the humidity in the classroom. It is very hot and sticky as there are no

air-condition units or ceiling fans. It is often difficult for the students to concentrate in this

environment, especially after lunch. Additionally, my age group is the four to five year olds

and their attention span in the afernoon period is significantly less. This results in very little

work being accomplished in the afternoon.

Resources are very limited in the classroom and this proves to be is a major challenge.

There are no overhead projectors nor is there an AV room to enhance the students learning. I

would normally facilitate technology in the classroom by sometimes carrying my personal

computer to introduce lessons by watching videos and songs. This is however, challenging

because of the quantity of students resulting in some of them losing interest as they are not able

to view the computer properly. They are also unable to hear what is being said on the computer.
Question 5

How might your role change from your current practise?

My current practise in the classroom with the use of technology was a mostly look on

video as there were not enough computers for the students. I would control the computer and

explain the video after it was viewed. it was more of a teacher directed activity.

However, after reading Howard Gardeners article on multiple intelligence, where he said

Students have various intelligences (Gardner, 1993), I realised that some of the students

might just be able to use the computer by themselves with some instructions. I also liked

Pagets theory where he highlighted the different stages of development and learning through

play. As I read about the different scholars in education and about their opinions on the

cognitive development together with the different types of intelligence, I combined their

findings and changed my teaching in the classroom by introducing their methods.

This was the beginning of a new era in my class as change was about to begin. I also

think that change is inevitable and that it was in the best interest of the children to use the

computer by themselves. I will now change the teacher directed work on the computer to

instructional work where the students will be able to control the computer, mouse and keypad

by themselves.

How might your students role change from their current role?

My students role will change as I introduced the new methods for each individual child

coherent with their respective ability. Some will be able to strengthen their fine motor skills by

controlling the mouse and the key pad as opposed to before where I assisted them in doing

these actions. They will be able to use the key pad to identify the letters both capital and
common when doing activities on the computer. I also did the manipulating of the key board

just by asking questions, allowing them to view and answer the questions. They will be able to

play educational games in different subject areas, listen to nursery rhymes and be able to choose

what they want to listen to.

Additionally, the students will be able to practise Howard Gardner s theory by the

different types of learning in particular, visual and auditory. Once again this was done by the

class teacher because of the lack of computers.

 Bibliography

Gardner, H. (1993). Multiple Intelligences (Vol. 5). New York: Basic Books.

Piaget, J. (1962). Play, Dreams and Imitation in Childhood.

Vygotsky, L. S. (1978). Mind in Society. The Development of Higher Psychological

Processes. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.