The children at Cockfield Primary school nursery class regularly use technology to support their learning. They particularly enjoyed creating a display using a computer and digital camera during their 'All about me'
topic.
Planned learning intentions
To maintain attention, concentrate, and sit quietly when appropriate.
To complete a simple program on the computer and/or perform simple functions on ICT apparatus.
Resources
* Computer * printer * white A4 paper * digital camera * appropriate computer program related to the theme (for example, search 'Pic-a-picture' or 'RM Windowbox' websites) * brightly coloured backing paper * contrasting border roll Step by step
* Invite children to explore their physical appearance and have discussions about their home lives and their favourite things.
* Towards the end of these activities, suggest that the children put some of this information on to individual sheets. Introduce them to an appropriate computer program and then encourage them to take turns to work through the program. Be on hand to support, but encourage them to manage by themselves as far as possible.
* While each child is working, ask a friend to operate a digital camera and take a photograph.
* Once each child has completed and printed out a sheet, suggest creating a display so that comparisons can be made. Invite the children to choose the colour of the backing paper and border and fix this to the display board.
* Print off the photographs and then help the children to double-mount their information sheets and their photographs. Discuss how to arrange them on the board.
* Ask each child to think of a sentence about themselves - for example, 'Daisy has green eyes and brown hair' - and help them to type and print this out. Attach the sentences to the board alongside the appropriate sheet and photograph.
* Type a sheet for parents showing the early learning goals covered and the basic planned learning intention for the activity.
Activities
* Suggest that the children make books about themselves, using technology by typing captions on the computer and taking photographs with a digital camera.
* Encourage the children to use a camera regularly to record their activities.
Margaret Paterson is a nursery nurse at Cockfield Primary School, County Durham. She spoke to Jean Evans.
