"Each community to which a child belongs, whether it is a family home or an early childhood setting outside the home, provides opportunities for new learning to be fostered: for children to reflect on alternative ways of doing things; make connections across time and place; establish different kinds of relationship; and encounter different points of view. These experiences enrich children’s lives and provide them with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions they need to tackle new challenges." Te Whāriki (p 9)
The sharing that took place between the kindergarten and the families through their blog meant that relationships were sustained during the child's absence. The families were able to 'touch base' with important events that were taking place at the centre. The children could continue interacting with the "people, places and things" (Te Whāriki p43) associated with the environment they knew well.
Learning for Emily:
"I saw Mrs Shaw’s puppies. Keela - we saw photos of her, she was on holiday too – it was hot where she was. We had to log on to find it (the blog) on the Google site. We had to click on the link. It was good 'cos there was new stuff. I liked looking at it. We took photos and we put them on because the children in Te Anau would like looking at them. It was written in German so we didn’t know what it said."
Emily
Emily was able to connect with an anticipated event, the birth of her teacher’s puppies, something she would have missed if it had not been for the blog. The capacity of a blog to record things visually and reach people in different places simultaneously allowed her to compare her own experiences in the snow with those of another child she knew, Keela. The difference in climate was something that clearly made an impression on her and was possibly made more meaningful for Emily because of her connection with Keela.
Emily demonstrated an active understanding of the blogging process in her explanation of putting up a post. Note her use of the terminology and her very defined purpose for what she was doing. The instructions for the blog were in German and the family had some problems logging in because of this. Emily understood that there are differences in languages and that different symbols can and cannot be read by others.
What parents wrote about the blog:
Two months is a long time to be away from home, but with the long distance and high cost it is a necessity for a trip to visit family. Emily was missing her friends back home a lot. She was very excited to be able to log in and see what activities her friends had been undertaking back home.
We also found that when we were doing fun things she would say, "Let's take a photo to show on the Internet for my friends at Fiordland Kindy".
Sheralyn, Emily’s mum
Keela spent two months in Hungary away from her social part of life in New Zealand. We still could share the fun we had with the kindergarten children and were also able to read about their time and activities in Te Anau.
"Since we are at home, back to kindy, we still visit the blog and this time I suggested to Keela's grandparents that they look at the pictures and read about their busy granddaughter and her friends."
Zita, Keela's mum
How does this blog support 21st century learners?
Connectivity – One of the key attributes required in a knowledge society is the ability to connect and maintain relationships with others. The blog in action demonstrates to the children ways this can be achieved when distance is a factor. It allows children access to each other's worlds from across the globe. Absent friends are less likely to be forgotten friends when the medium for communication is strongly visual and the children can communicate and share with little time delay.
Audience – A blog provides children with a worldwide audience and the opportunity to discover how aspects of communication have to be adapted when the audience is virtual. Grandparents and friends of families can share in their early childhood experience. The large screen means that the children at the kindergarten are able to easily participate in the blogging experience together.
New ways of learning – The multimedia nature of a blog enhances children's ability to see and hear new information - information that is likely to be meaningful because it is connected to people the children already know. Because oral language is the main mode of communication for children in early childhood education, the blog's high visual and oral appeal, together with its ability to inspire quick responses, make it an ideal vehicle for language and literacy learning.
Processes and functions associated with technology – Emily's voices demonstrates a clear understanding of the processes of adding to the blog. Technical language and processes are understood by children by contributing to it.
"The blog enabled our children back in New Zealand to follow their journey. The stories the children posted, with photos, added complexity to our children’s understanding of the world and Fiordland, eg where they were as opposed to us. When it is light there, it is dark here. The children overseas were experiencing a different season. We had photos of Keela swimming while we had ice. The children had to work out that although we were communicating in 'real time', their friends were in a different place with different environmental factors.
"From both sides, the children were emotionally engaged and excited to see their friends on the blog. They were able to sustain relationships and relate to what was happening for their friends. When Emily and Keela came back and talked about their adventures, the kindergarten children could identify and remember with them through their prior viewing of the blog. We then looked at the blog together – revisiting face to face this time. Emily and Keela were able to expand on their original adventures. The children were able to ask the girls questions face to face this time.
"Emily could also see her friend Keela, who was in another part of Europe, on the blog."
Hints:
Before creating a blog you may like to consider the following:
- What is the purpose for your blog?
- Who will maintain the blog and add entries?
- Will be the blog be private or public?
- How will the blog enhance teaching and learning for your children?