Early childhood ICT resource

I have found this interesting resource that can be implemented into Early Childhood contexts and be used as a great way of communicating with parents through the use of ICT’s. The app is called Kindy Portal it allows teachers to document children’s learning through the use of digital learning stories and photographs. Once the learning story is completed teachers can invite parents to view their child’s portfolio through the use of email. Parents are encouraged to write comments about their child’s documentation and send it back to the teacher. By interacting with Kindy Portal it allows educators to build positive relationships with parents through the use of ICT’s.

 

Using the TEST Framework

I am the mother of two children ages two and four and I have a husband that is in army which at times requires him to travel around the country. The issue that I will be using the TEST Framework against will be my time management skills when it comes to establishing a balance of home study life.

What is the problem?

At times I struggle to find a balance between home and study and this can impact on my studies as my two children keep me on my toes.

What is the task?

The task is for me to be able to complete my studies without the last minute “oh no I completely forgot about that!”  and  to organise a time management system that works for not only myself but for my family.

The environment

I tend to complete my studies in the living room when my kids have gone to bed. Sometimes I will set up a study area in the dinning room for a change.

What skills do I have?

The skills I possess are I am able to follow a routine when needed.

What tools do I have?

I have a calendar, alarm clock, IPADS,IPHONES, and a computer which all inform me of the time and date.

Facing my demons

At the beginning of the week I have felt a range of emotions when it comes to ICT’s such emotions include scared, nervous, stressed,excitement and overwhelmed. Let’s face it I am not the most tech savy person out there, I sometimes even struggle with basic software. There are two things that have stuck in my mind when I began to go through the learning pathway activities. The first is remembering when I received my first field experience report and my mentor (who was twenty years older than me) telling me that I need to develop my ICT skills to improve my pedagogy. At that point in time the only ICT tools I could think of were smart boards, IPADS and computers….That is until I began this course. The second thought was reading on the study desk that was written by David Jones which was “You will struggle, if you don’t struggle than you are not learning anything. How you perceive this struggle is up to you” (Jones, 2014). With this quote in mind I have set myself the goal of not taking every struggle personally when it comes to ICT but to use these struggles as opportunities to learn from my mistakes and to move forward which will assist me in becoming a critically reflective educator.

Introductory post

Hi Everyone,

My name is Jessica (or Jess, I don’t mind) I live in Forest Lake with my four year old son and two year old daughter. My husband is in the army which at times makes life quite hectic due to him being required to travel a lot around Australia. In terms of technology I am not the best and I am starting to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Having said that I am noticing  how everyone is already making networks and helping each other out which is making me feel better.

All the best for semester two everyone!

Kind Regards Jess