Technology to Support Learning

Posted on July 12, 2016

As the children left yesterday evening it was action stations in the Dragonfly Room as work began to install our new interactive SMART Board.  Entering the room today some of the children hesitated while others bombarded us with questions about strange thing hanging on the wall.  As a team we have considered the benefits that technology can bring along with some of the pitfalls but on balance feel this will be a fantastic learning resource for our inquisitive pre-school children and it hasn't taken long for us to see this in action.

Taking a slightly different route through the trees at Forest School yesterday the children discovered a small skull.  There was lots of chatter about it being from a Gruffalo or a dinosaur, eager to find out more they placed it in their box of natural treasures for safe keeping.  Using the SMART board this morning they have set about investigating what this could be, there weren't many images of Graffalo skulls so they looked at small rodents and birds. 

As a staff team we are aware that any screen has the potential to take away from the real life experiences that are so valuable to children, we will be continually reflecting on what we are using this for to ensure it is enhancing the children's learning.  We will be helping the children find answers to their questions about the world around them and looking at the photographs we take when out & about on adventures to prompt discussion.  

For families whose children are joining our new Grasshopper Room in the autumn term you will be delighted to hear that we will be installing the same technology in there, providing the same opportuinities to build on the children's interests.  For new families if you are interested in a place in the new room but have not contacted us yet please click on Grace the Grasshopper above to find out more.