Preliminary Reflections Concerning the Use of Computers in Kindergarten
When an
educational theory vouches for science and change it ought not to recoil from reality.
Everything that affects children’s lives must become part of the educational
process, must be discussed and dealt with and have its place in our culture.
We regard
computers as a means of technical communication and information. Our
educational concept proceeds from a realistic and situation-orientated work, a
child-appropriate promotion of those skills that children will need in order to
cope with their future.
Computers are part
of children’s environment just like sand in a sandbox. In this project children
shall have the possibility to perceive computers holistically like sand in a
sandbox.
We regard the
child as an exploring, problem-solving being equipped with various skills and
competences. Using this as a starting-point we would like to go on an exploring
tour around and into the medium computer with them.
Before the
children sit at the computer we would like to illustrate the principle “input,
processing, output”. Furthermore we would like to present the computer as a
means to acquire knowledge and not only as a collection of games. The
individual activities presented here follow each other.
If the activities
are carried out weekly and if they are resumed and deepened in free play the project
covers a period of about 11 weeks.
-
Children
explore the medium of the computer in a holistic way.
-
Children
get to know different functions of the computer (software and hardware).
-
Children
understand the set-up and way a computer works.
-
Children
experience handling the medium of the computer consciously and with great
awareness.
Free play |
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