Month: January 2016

The Basic Stages of Early Childhood

Alice Louise Eagle2 Comments

In order to form my target audience, I needed to research what particular age demographic would be best suited to my idea (which is not yet fully developed and could potentially change). From reading through scholarly articles written by psychologists and researching published studies, I noticed that children tend to develop their creativity between the ages of 4-7. The creative side of a child’s brain is constantly developing, however it is at this particular time in their life, that they are introduced to using it more frequently. However, due to wanting to create an interactive game, that will not only teach elements of the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) curriculum, but encourage a basic understanding of all these specific areas, I will need to target children, slightly older.

“Since creative behaviour is not viewed as an expression of a creative faculty but instead, as the behaviour of an individual in relation to specific environmental events, all references to this problem-solving ability must be in specific terms.  Thus, it is not meaningful to speak of a child as being creative; we must specify the area of creative behavior – in music, painting, social affairs, science, mechanical technology and, so on. According to this analysis, creative behaviour can be taught.” – Sidney W. Bijou (1976)

In primary school, Art classes occur just as often, if not more so, than ICT lessons, therefore children are constantly, fully immersed in a creative environment.  This is encouraging in itself, however I want to be able to include technological advances, in these art classes. Art and creativity, doesn’t always need to rely on painting and drawing, but instead using one’s imagination to invent something original.

Ultimately, I have decided to focus on targeting children in years 4-5, so aged 8-10. This will enable me to explore my idea in more detail and include more educational aspects that won’t potentially result in confusion. Therefore, I need to continue my research into how a child of that age interacts with technology and art, in order to develop my idea further.

 

 

The Basic Stages of Early Childhood

Telling Stories Through Technology…

Alice Louise EagleLeave a comment

Today we had the awesome opportunity of working with LittleBits, during  a workshop with Mark Lochrie. At the beginning of the workshop, he gave an introductory lecture about telling stories through technology. I went along in the hopes of gaining more inspiration for my project this semester, and although the overall topic focus wasn’t proceeding along the path I want to go down, it was still very useful.

“LittleBits are easy-to-use electronic building blocks that empower students to both understand and reinvent their world. Along the way, they engage in powerful hands-on learning in STEM/STEAM and gain 21st-century skills and mindsets.” – www.littleBits.com

My focus area is to encourage the use of creativity within technology and I intend to begin my research phase by looking into the STEM education system. STEAM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines – science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.  All aspects of STEAM are vital when influencing imagination and I want to consider every element in detail, in order to provide an enjoyable and educational learning experience, for young children.

Since discovering what particular areas I want to cover/include, I can now begin researching different stages of child development, in order to pin point my chosen audience demographic.  It is important to allow myself a solid understanding of where my idea can be utilised properly and efficiently and therefore, discovering which age group of children to work with, depending on their development progress, needs to be explored thoroughly.

Overall, the workshop today was fantastic! I learnt, I engineered and I used my imagination, all through accessing technology. I am feeling inspired and encouraged to create something influential and effective.

Telling Stories Through Technology…

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Alice Louise Eagle1 Comment

Throughout this project, I want to focus on creating something that will strengthen the relationship between education and technology. Technology is advancing at such a speed, that younger generations can’t help but be immersed in it, one way or another. Therefore, the impact of technology on education is one that is both unavoidable, yet has potential to be incredibly momentous.

I believe that the way the current media, advertise and encourage young children to engage with technology, is at fault. A child’s development is crucial and elements of imagination and creativity need to be utilized frequently, in order for children to inherit the best possible outcome, during the early stages of their life. Spending copious amounts of time in front of an iPad isn’t healthy.

It is easy to come across as a hypocrite, when explaining that technology is potentially brainwashing younger generations and they should spend more times outdoors, playing with sticks and making mud pies.  However, in moderation and used in the appropriate way, technology can teach a magnitude of things, it can stimulate an active imagination and provide seamless amounts of fun.

In conclusion, I am currently in the research phase of deciding what I want to create, how and why. However, I am certain of following a route that allows digital media it’s rightful place within society, without being deemed dangerous and/or brainwashing, but a pedagogy.

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