Caminos del reconocimiento: Paul Ricoeur

The purpose of this questionnaire, is to gather data in relation to the role of the teacher when integrating ICT in ECE. Please answer with as much detail as you can.

Thank you for taking the time to complete the questionnaire.

1. How do you define Information and Communication Technologies (ICT)?

Comment:

2. What prior experience do you have in relation to ICT?

Comment:

3. Have you had any professional development related to ICT? If so what was the purpose

and content of these sessions? Comment:

4. What do you consider is the role of ICT in early childhood education? How do you feel

about the presence of ICT in ECE? Comment:

5. What do you consider is the role of the teacher in relation to ICT?

Comment:

6. How is ICT currently implemented within the kindergarten? Comment:

7. What impact do you consider the use of ICT has on children’s learning?

Comment:

8. What range of ICT resources does your kindergarten currently have? Please list

(indicating the number and type of resource): Comment:

9. Who initiates the choice and purchase of these resources?

Comment:

10. Where are these resources positioned within the learning and teaching environment?

Comment:

11. Are they accessible for children? If yes, then how?

12. Are they accessible for parents? If yes, then how? Comment:

13. Do all of the teaching team utilise these resources regularly?

Comment:

14. Does your team have a shared philosophy in relation to ICT? Please briefly explain

Comment:

Please add any additional comments:

Please place in the self addressed envelope and return by 14th September 2007

I hope this study will contribute to the ongoing dialogue related to ICT in ECE.

Thank you again for taking the time to complete this questionnaire. Many thanks, Lesley Pohio☺ UREC REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2007.738

This study has been approved by the Unitec Research Ethics Committee from August 2007 to April 2008. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact the Committee through the UREC Secretary (ph: 09 815-4321 ext 7248). Any issues you may raise will be treated

APPENDIX 5 FOCUS GROUP SESSIONS

• Welcome, refreshments andparticipant introductions

• Overview of the research and focus group framework (confidentiality, choosing of pseudonyms, engaging in discussion)

Key Questions:

1. The role of the teacher(Prompts)

• Does this role reflect a similar/different pedagogical approach when working with children in other areas?

• Are you offered adequate professional development to support your role as the teacher in this field?

2. What are you views about the increased presence of ICT in ECE?

(Prompts)

• What kind of place do you think ICT should have in ECE? What are the positives, benefits/challenges?

• Should ICT be increasingly part of or permeate the teaching and learning environment? • How has this use being ‘managed’? Has it been strategically planned or has it just

happened?

• Do you feel supported/prepared able to rise to the challenge?

• Do you think that other things/opportunities fall by the wayside with this increased focus?

• Do you feel under pressure/comfortable/confident to incorporate ICT? 3. Implementation of ICT in ECE. (Prompts)

• The term ‘digital native’ has been used to describe the current generation of children who are more familiar and confident users of technology than many adults (digital immigrants). • Are children able to explore and build upon their prior knowledge and understanding of

ICT?

• Do you feel that you are able to ‘keep up’ with the digitally competent young child? • What are the implications for your practice?

• How do you encourage children to be critical technological consumers? • Is this exploration accessible and available to all children?

4. What are your views in relation to the notion that children must learn how to use ICT in order to be prepared for their future lives?

• What are your responses to this comment? • Do you share similar/differing views?

• What do you think is the reason behind the move towards encouraging ICT in ECE? • What overarching principles do you think should inform and shape the use of ICT? 5. Any final or additional comments?

• As we are coming to a close of this focus group I would like you to take a minute and consider if there is anything else that you would like to add?

• Is there anything we should have covered but haven’t? 6. Summary and thanks

Thank you for your input, I really appreciate you taking the time to come to this focus group and hope that you have found the discussion to be informative and of interest.

Once the transcripts have been transcribed they will be sent out for you to check.

UREC REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2007.738

This study has been approved by the Unitec Research Ethics Committee from August 2007 to April 2008. If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact the Committee through the UREC Secretary (ph: 09 815-4321 ext 7248). Any issues you may raise will be treated in confidence and investigated fully, and you will be informed of the outcome