ICT Equipment

This video clip shows the way in which pieces of ICT equipment can be used to enhance teaching and learning in each of the six areas of the Foundation Stage Curriculum. This is only a small example of the way in which we use ICT imaginatively in our centre.

Personal Social and Emotional: Karaoke Machine

This gives children the opportunity to be both actor and audience. They gain self confidence and self esteem through the recital of well known songs and rhymes; and the retelling of stories to a group. It can be used indoors and outdoors to enable children to access music in all areas.

Communication, Language and Literacy: Video Recorder

Using a video recorder enables the children to record their own performances. In this instance the children are using puppets to retell a familiar story which is being videoed by a child with adult assistance. Children soon become competent at using the video recorder and being able to replay the performance and view it through the LCD screen. The recorded performances are shared with all children at story sessions and also with parents via the whiteboard. Imagine the pride and thrill each child and parent experiences when seeing their own production.

Mathematics: Metal Detector

The metal detector is one of our most versatile pieces of equipment and can be used in any area of the curriculum. In the video clip the children are learning about number value, counting and number recognition. A piece of metal was hidden under a number card; the children were given a metal detector to hunt for the metal. On hearing the beep, the children had to identify the number by counting the plastic circles on the card. Notice the way in which the children respond with excitement and actual run to the numbers. When did you last see a child run to numbers?

Knowledge and Understanding Of The World: Pixie

The pixie is a small programmable toy ideally suited to young children. It is simple to programme using forward, backward, left and right controls. This toy enhances work on many different projects. The video clip illustrates how the pixie can be used to develop knowledge about the life cycle of a frog. The children were encouraged to programme the pixie along a number line collecting the various stages of metamorphosis of a frog. Not only were learning about life cycles but were also developing number knowledge and programming skills.

Physical Development: Walkie Talkie Headsets

The Walkie Talkies enable the children to use ICT outdoors. This piece of equipment develops speaking and listening skills, cooperative skills and can be used in a number of ways, hide and seek games, development of geographical skills where an adult gives directions for the child to follow from one place to another. Walkie Talkies are an excellent toy when integrated into role play.

Creative Development: Overhead Projector

The overhead projector is a way we are able to integrate ICT into creativity. Children draw onto acetate which is the projected via the OHP onto a large sheet of paper. The child then draws over his or her own lines thus enlarging their work. The drawing can then be completed using a variety of media. This piece of equipment can also be used for shadow puppetry and for the magnification of children’s work.