Technology and MH 370

It has been a week since MH 370 has gone missing from the radar. No one knows exactly where the plane is at now or how are the passengers and the crew. On March 8^th 2014, Malaysian Airlines MH 370 was scheduled for a passenger flight from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to Beijing, China. The plane consists of 227 passengers and 12 crew members (BBC, 2014). The aircraft last made contact with air traffic control less than an hour after take-off. The location and whereabouts of the plane still remains a mystery. 

Image sourced: CBC News. 13 March 2014

Due to this incident, the nation resorts to all forms of ICT to get latest information. When the news was first announced, everybody gathered sources through the media such as television, internet news, live streaming press conference, YouTube and newspaper reports.  Discussions among interested groups started social media as well. 

As more people want to be involved and contribute to the search, one of the methods being used is crowdsourcing. Crowdsourcing is “... the process of getting work or funding, usually online, from a crowd of people. The word is a combination of the words 'crowd' and 'outsourcing'. The idea is to take work and outsource it to a crowd of workers (Daily crowdsource, 2014)”. It is also used to help look at satellite pictures to locate and identify objects.   For more information about crowdsourcing on how it is being use to search for the plane, please refer to this Link.

The use of ICT is indeed crucial to disseminate information and in this MH 370 incident, allows people to share their thoughts and opinions. 

Last but not least, let us pray for MH 370.  

References:

BBC News. (2014). Malaysian airlines: What do we know about flight MH 370. Retrieved 16 March, 2014, from http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26503141 

Daily crowdsource. (n.d.). What is crowdsource. Retrieved 16 March, 2014 from  http://dailycrowdsource.com/training/crowdsourcing/what-is-crowdsourcing

 

 

Children and Technology

The other day, I made small talk to my new 4 year old, K. She was looking at over at the pets corner and was looking closely at the hamsters.  So, this was how the conversation went about:

Chloe: Hey K, do you have any pets at home?

K: Pad?

Chloe: Yes, pets. You know? Like cats, hamsters, fishes, tortoise... (pointing to each animal as they are being mention). Have you got one at home? Or Mummy does not allow you to have pets at home?

K: Pets, no. But iPad, yes.

Chloe: (laughing out loud).

K: Everyone in my family has their own iPad! Aunty, have you got one?

Chloe: Hmm, no, actually. I have only got an iPhone. Is that good enough?

K: (Surprised look) Huh? How come? Ask your mummy to get you one!

Chloe: It is okay, K. I think I am happy with what I have.

K: (Surprised look) Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to tell Mummy about this!

Chloe: (Speechless)

I was amused by K’s reaction when I told her that I do not owe an iPad. Makes me realized that children in this generation are so lucky to be exposed to the modern world of technology. This allows children to become more independent when it comes to learning technology. They go through trial and error, exploring new things and short cuts on their own. They become more confident when they are able to problem solve independently. 

ICT also enhances children’s eye hand coordination, which helps them to prepare themselves for writing skills.  A research from Coventry University has found that the impact of text messaging or ‘textisms’ could be having a positive impact on reading development and a positive effect on the way children interact with language, rather than harming literacy (Sara, 2013). I believe greatly that children should be exposed technology and using ICT in classrooms would be essential and most beneficial to both children and educators.

References:

Sara (2013). Children and technology- Should you be concern. Retrieved March 15, 2013, from  http://www.care2.com/greenliving/children-and-technology-should-you-be-concerned.html#ixzz2w0hQ5xCf

 

First Week of Uni in 2104

Hello. Its been awhile since forever! I am excited yet nervous. This is my Final Year in Uni (at last!) and also ICT being my final (FINAL) subject. I am also an Early Childhood Educator in a local Montessori school in Malaysia. Juggling between work, studies and family can be really be challenging sometimes, but I am pretty sure I will be able to manage them all with PROPER time management :p

I do not consider myself as a whiz when it comes to ICT. I do use them for social though (eg: Facebook, Twitter, Instragram). I hope to learn more about this course on how it will benefit and it's importance towards children (and teachers) in classrooms!