Technology
What is Technology?
Technology can be defined as the application of knowledge and skill to extend children’s capabilities and support development of their skills for life and learning.
The ‘Technologies Experiences & Outcomes’ contained within Curriculum for Excellence promote the development of skills across a range of different contexts for learning, including: learning for sustainability, global citizenship, and enterprise. All of which draw upon important aspects of everyday life and work. Within ‘Early Level’ this can be delivered through open-ended play opportunities that provide scope for developing technological skills, knowledge, understanding and attributes through creativity and curiosity.
There are two recognised types of technology: practical and digital.
Examples of ‘Practical Technology’ include: scissors, programable toys, electronic toys, laminators, dishwashers, CD players, voice recorders, and cameras.
Digital technology, such as ICT refers to forms of technology that are used to transmit store, create, display, share or exchange information by electronic means. These resources include: smartboards, laptops, iPads, MP3 players, mobile phones, and computer software and hardware.
Technology helps to break down barriers to learning and improves access for children with additional support needs. It is therefore important to have readily available access to a range of both practical and digital technology.
Why is Technology important?
“Play is the highest level of child development. It is the spontaneous expression of thought and feeling. It constitutes the source of all that can benefit the child. At this age, play is never trivial; it is serious and deeply significant.”
– Froebel (1967)
Opportunities to learn about technologies through play gives children the ability to continually develop, use and extend vital skills for life-long learning. Playing with technological resources allows children to develop confidence and resilience. They are able to take decisions about their play and learning, begin to initiate and organise it, ask questions, and find information.
Learning through technology also allows children to participate within their community, giving them opportunities to develop skills to engage as citizens. Giving children access to a variety of technological resources provides opportunities that support independence, broaden learning, and encourage confident learners.
Technology supports the development of creative thinking and curiosity to find out more about what an object does, thus nurturing the ability to wonder, to see, and to use them differently. Creativity is vital for all learning and is crucial within the area of technology.
How can I support development around Technology?
Young children live in a fast-growing technological world, full of advancements in engineering, digital media, and communication.
Learning with digital technologies supports children’s development of understanding. This may be learning how to programme a toy or using a digital camera. Significantly, learning with and through digital technologies can promote support for other learning. For example, using a digital camera to enhance understanding by recording what happens when a substance is poured down a pipe.
Settings with technology rich environments provide access to practical resources and meaningful play opportunities for young children to develop skills necessary for a continually digested and technologically driven educational future.
To support children’s developing technological skills, practitioners need to use high-quality interactions, scaffolding, and bridging strategies to help children make meaningful connections to enhance and extend their understanding. Practitioners can do this by:
- Demonstrating
- Sharing enjoyment.
- Providing emotional support.
Online Safety
It’s important that early year’s settings ensure children are learning about the world around them and how to keep themselves safe online. This includes responsibility on the part of the practitioner to help children recognise the value of technology and how to use it safely.
Role modelling safe use of the internet should become part of our everyday practice. Practitioners can minimise risk by:
- Checking apps, websites, and search results prior to using them with children.
- Ensuring appropriate safety modes and filters are applied.
- Role modelling safe behaviour and privacy awareness.
- Checking privacy settings to make sure personal data is not being shared inadvertently or inappropriately.
More information and practical advice surrounding online safety awareness can be found in the ‘Links & Documentation ’section below.
