Reflection on the module

From reflecting back on this module, there are some clear ideas which have challenged my own teaching practice and ideas. I have found this module very beneficial for my own skills development as well as understanding the importance of incorporating I.C.T. into the different curriculum areas, such as literacy and mathematics etc., especially when considering the new national curriculum (2013) and the way society is progressing.

This module has allowed me to gain a deepened understanding of how childhood has changed due to the new and improved technologies now available to children, for example iPads and iBooks. These technologies highlight the way society is moving and how children are surrounded by technology nowadays. Therefore, for my future practice it is vital that children are taught these essential technological skills for them to remain fully functioning within society and be given opportunities for the development of such skills, which is supported by Dean (2010). Dean (2010) then furthers by conveying the importance of children’s literacy skills being developed by a variety of different ‘texts’, including more traditional written texts, typed texts, online websites, multimodal books etc., in order for them to make progress within society. Additionally, Palfrey and Gasser (2008) claim that children are now seen as ‘digital natives’ in our society due to their technological competence, which demonstrates the need for them to be supported in these skills.

On the other hand, children still need to understand the importance of spelling, learning to spell and writing instead of typing. Arthur (2004) and Merchant (2001) argue that with more of a focus on the use of technology within the classroom children do not seem the relevance and importance of learning to spell or spelling correctly as they have programmes which can automatically correct their ideas (such as spell check etc).

In addition to this, the module has made me think about the importance of internet safety and children’s exposure to the internet’s content. Palfrey and Gasser (2008), Palmer (2006) and Papadopoulos (2010) all highlight internet and technological issues when using these new technologies within the classroom. However, I feel that as teachers it is essential that we educate children on how to be safe and provide opportunities for the children to ask questions in a safe and supportive environment, giving them independence which links to the new national curriculum (2013).

In conclusion, I feel this module has allowed me to develop my own teaching practice and ideas as well as enhance my own literacy and technology skills. Although  there are bound to be issues when using different technologies within the classroom, such as using iPads within a class of thirty some children with only two adults for support, there are more clear and potential benefits for using technology in the classroom. In my opinion, children need to be exposed to this in order to remain within society and to ensure that their education in all areas is relevant and useful to them.  

Bibliography

-         Arthur, L. (2004) Popular Culture, New Media and Digital Literacy in Modern Childhood Oxon: Routledge Falmer

-           Dean, G. (2010) ‘Rethinking Literacy’ in Bazalgette, C. (ed) (2010) Teaching Media in Primary Classrooms. London: Sage

-          Merchant, G. (2001) ‘Teenagers in cyberspace: language use and language change in Internet chatrooms’ Journal of Research in Reading 24:3 (pp 293-306).  

-          Palfrey, J. and Gasser, U. (2008) Born Digital: understanding the first generation of digital natives. Basics Books. New York

-         Papadopoulos , L. (2010) Sexualisation of Young People Review Home Office (Executive Summary – link on LN)http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100418065544/http://homeoffice.gov.uk/documents/Sexualisation-young-people2835.pdf?view=Binary 

-         Palmer, S. (2006) Toxic Childhood: How the Modern World is Damaging Our Children and What We Can Do About It London: Orien