Kindergarten kids learn to skype

There are not many four year olds who know how to skype other children around the country -- except at Geraldine Kindergarten.

The techno-savy youngsters use the internet software to communicate regularly with Whangarei's Manaia Kindergarten as part of a Ministry of Education ICT professional learning project.

The kindergarten is one of 60 early childhood centres around the country participating in the pilot scheme which involves action research into how ICT supports children's metacognitive thinking.

"It's a very innovative project in early childhood," head teacher Tracey Nelson said.

"It's getting the children thinking about thinking."

Skype, a software program which enables the pupils to talk live to other pupils over the internet, is just one technological idea the programme involves.

They have also been using a web cam to show their North Island counterparts what equipment they have in their playground and have performed reciprocal dances by enlarging the screen through the digital projector.

There are several cameras for the pupils to capture learning around the kindergarten, they are making their own movies and even have a digital microscope to analyse all sorts of insects and objects.

Mrs Nelson said people often thought ICT was about computers but it was more than that.

She said using the technology enhanced both teaching and learning.

"It motivates and keeps them interested.

"It's real interactive teaching. And great collaborative learning."

Mrs Nelson said as the children have been brought up in a digital age they are also very competent with the using the equipment.

However, she said ICT is still only part of the curriculum, fitting alongside literacy and numeracy.

The kindergarten is about half way through the three year project gather evidence and regularly report back on their findings.

- © Fairfax NZ News