What is an iPad?

This seems to be an odd question, given its 2014 and iPads infiltrated our society back in 2010. However, I still believe, its a good question.

Technically it’s a rectangular screen with finger touch sensitivity. It can connect to the world wide web via a wifi (wireless router), or in some cases via the cellar mobile network. It has two cameras (front and back), speakers and a microphone all inbuilt into the screen. It comes with a base set of applications or programmes - called ‘apps’. Apps can be purchased  and loaded onto the screen via an online store. Apps are used to access and create digital information. Many apps are free but contain advertising. More specialised and ad-free apps are purchased relatively cheaply.

Given all these technical capabilities, the iPad enables us to connect to almost anyone, anywhere who has a regular phone, mobile phone, computer or ipad. It enabled me to send instant photos to the children of Manaia Kindergarten (New Zealand) from the heart of Kruger National Park (South Africa) - while tracking an elephant. It has enabled me to find my way through a rural township in South Africa that had not street lights. Its capabilities seem almost endless.

Apple, the company that designed, created and brought the iPad into our homes describes the iPad as its "most advanced technology in a magical and revolutionary device”

Were they right?

If we are to accept the iPad into our lives, we must endeavour not to be trapped in the rectangular screen - but to dream big, explore widely, and embrace the magic.

Other posts of interest.

What technologies do you have in your centre?

Technology fundamental in ECE

Music and ipads

Exploring Space on the iPad

Change is in the air

Since my last blog post there have been many changes to my situation. I have resigned from my position as Head Teacher at Manaia Kindergaten. It was time!  I had been at Manaia for 10years. I continue to love the kindergarten, its community and the teaching team, but it was time to refresh my batteries and experience new adventures.

 I am currently working as a relieving teacher for the Northland Kindergarten Association. It has been the best professional development I could have hoped for and I highly recommend that others do the same. If you have a teaching job and just want to explore other ece's - talk to your management about a few days of professional development to visit other kindergartens or centres. Don't pop in for a few hours - take 3 days and visit 3 different centres. At the very least, do that.

As I move from kindergarten to kindergarten I am being asked to provide some ICT support - which of course I am happy to do in the context of the day. I am amazed how much ICT comes up in my practice - particularly trying to capture children's voice. I don't need to encourage children to share their stories, children I am new to are eager to tell me their stories. I video, take photos and type their words onto the photos when appropriate. Wherever possible I try to use the kindergarten's cameras, iPods and iPads. I have been surprised at the technology kindergartens have and how they are using it.

My interest has been spiked. What 'latest' technologies do early childhood centres have in new zealand and around the world? And how are they using their technologies?

How about you and your ece?
What do you have in the way of digital technology and how confident do you feel you are using it?
Are the digital technologies offering you and the children the extended learning opportunities you had hoped for?

Please be honest and if you want to remain anonymous you do have that option when posting a comment.




 PS: Another change in the air - its election year. Lets make that count!! More on that later.

Music composers

At Manaia Kindergarten we are updating our ipad and ipod touches with musical instrument apps. After listening to Kevin Honeycutt at the Teachers for Teachers workshop, the team as a whole was once again inspired to explore new ways of doing things.

We have contemplated installing complex music systems to go with our ipad and ipods. However, Kevin Honeycutt's use of a simple amplifier and splitters would do perfectly for what we are hoping to achieve at Manaia.

So a search for some worthwhile music apps has been undertaken.

Melody Bells and Piano have already been successful apps at Manaia. Piano has particularly supported children, not only to explore notes, but to follow simple instructions to create a musical piece. The smiles on faces has encouraged others.

But the ipad/ipod technology allows us to think outside the square. Although 'real' instruments are amazingly beautiful, there are apps that allow you to create music in a new, different and beautiful way.  One I explored today is Musical Squares. It's interface is simple and plain - but somehow mesmerizing.

Bloom is an artistic variation of Musical Squares. It creates a visualisation that is almost hypnotic. Apart from the difference in its interface from Musical Squares, Bloom allows the music to eventually fade, allowing new music to be added - and so the piece continues to be composed.

I look forward to using these apps in our final mat times of the day (as well as throughout the session). In our final mat time, we sit, read and share books with one another, whilst listening to relaxing music. Currently children are able to choose the quiet music. They have drawn their own pictures to match the songs they enjoy and loaded them onto the ipod  (this makes it easier for them to identify the different music). With Musical Squares and Bloom, children will be able to CREATE their own relaxing music. I look foward to exploring this with the children.