All Ages Getting children interested in technology.

netedu

netedu

Legacy Member
Technology is all around us, but in many shapes and forms. Children will quickly develop an interest in computers since it's the norm these days, but about about building things? Moving things, robots and cars. I'm thinking that by playing with the more complex Lego sets, with motors and circuits, children can develop an attraction towards technology in general, not just computers.

What do you think, how can we point our kids towards technology?
 
Yes, I think the idea of hands on is very important. Of course, we must learn to use computers but I think it is sad when children become experts in the computer world at building, playing or doing something, but they don't know how to actually do that thing. For eg. how many kids have spent countless hours on guitar hero but don't actually know how to play a guitar? Wouldn't it be time better spent, to learn how to play the actual guitar? My husband often said on the job site, that the best architects were the ones who had the, 'on the job' know how as well. He said they would often come, pointing to their drawings and say, 'no it should be this way' but the way they had drawn it wasn't possible in that given situation. The Legos Idea is great. When I was young we had something called, 'Lincoln Log' which helped you to build cabins.
 
I don't imagine it being very difficult or needing to be specifically taught. You have a point in that technology is so commonplace these days. My six-year-old nephew owns an iPad, in fact. Kids will naturally go the route of technology given the generation they're in. There's no need to teach them in my opinion. They'll see the computers, they'll see the iPhone, they'll see the PlayStation, and they'll want one for themselves. If not within your on home, they'll see it at a friend's place.
 
Well, first of all, i really think that every parent should find what his kids like. I understand technology is important and it is something we cannot bypass with anything so it is good to learn as much as you can. If you find a way to make it interesting for a kid you will not have any problems in teaching him. I was a little polymath when i was a kid and unfortunately computers were not so widespread in Serbia at the time so i didn't learn from early age. I know few kids now who couldn't care less about computers and all they want is to go outside and play. Their parents are cool with that and i think it would not be good if they forced it.
 
I think activities like:
  • Introducing children to programming, coding and other aspects of website and software creation
  • Introducing children to game kits that enable them to perform science experiments
  • Introducing children to technology-driven toys like telescopes and microscopes
These activities can certainly get them interested in technology as well as science. And the good news is, these are available in toy stores as well as online! So good luck, they're definitely going to have a good time when you let them play with these.
 
Technology instruments that make sounds are the most effective. Children are very responsive to sight as well as sound. So the gadgets meant for children should be coated with warm colour schemes. Children get bored or distracted easily so they should have a variety of gadgets to play with so as to maintain their interest. Another area of importance in this respect is drawing the instruments.
 
Children nowadays have their life embedded into technology since it's a priority in our daily lives. Children will definitely be interested in the technology around them, but getting them to learn about the concept behind the technology is tricky. The Lego set idea is pretty good actually. Opening toy sets that have mechanical components in it like remote car could also help. You could also get them to watch any short YouTube video about the technological concepts.
 
Children have this natural curiosity when it comes to technology. Just give a child a tablet for the first time and you will see, provided there are games that will help him or her learn, they will spend hours in front of it.
 
A wonderful way to encourage children to learn more about electronics and computers is by introducing them to Arduino.

This can serve as an inspiring platform for sparking their curiosity through projects that go beyond the monitor, they will love to see how programmable electronic circuits can control the real world.

A case in point:

https://learn.sparkfun.com/blog/1338
 
We should encourage our children to visit various hobby centres so that they can learn more about different technologies. This also gives them a chance of selecting and buying the toys that they may wish to have. Children need to learn about robots and different gaming consoles at an early age so that they may get used to operating them.
 
Children should be exposed to technology at an early age. However, it has to be stated that this should not crowd out other aspects of applied learning. For example, children should be able to revise hard copies which develop their cognitive skills and memorization. The latter is especially affected by overreliance on the internet.
 
Technology these days is all around us, and that's right from an early age. A lot of children even at 4 or 5 years old are going to be used to technology from around their homes anyway, so you'll probably find that teaching them to use it won't be an issue. In fact the issue can be the opposite and while they will be well versed in technology and how to use it, it's actually doing things without the aid of technology that they'll need to learn more.
 
pwarbi said:
Technology these days is all around us, and that's right from an early age. A lot of children even at 4 or 5 years old are going to be used to technology from around their homes anyway, so you'll probably find that teaching them to use it won't be an issue. In fact the issue can be the opposite and while they will be well versed in technology and how to use it, it's actually doing things without the aid of technology that they'll need to learn more.
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One thing is using technology, another thing is actually trying to figure out how the things works. Kids will learn how to use what ever is put in front of them quit quickly but won't give another thought how it works if they aren't stimulated to do so.
 
netedu said:
Technology is all around us, but in many shapes and forms. Children will quickly develop an interest in computers since it's the norm these days, but about about building things? Moving things, robots and cars. I'm thinking that by playing with the more complex Lego sets, with motors and circuits, children can develop an attraction towards technology in general, not just computers.

What do you think, how can we point our kids towards technology?
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I completely agree with that, I would use things that have small motors as long as it's on the safe side. I have never thought about that before, but it is a good idea because I think they would come to have so much interest in such technology.

I would like to see more toys that are built to be specific for learning the more complex things like rotating cranes, or something cool that a child could learn to manipulate because of technology and not just throwing tablets in their faces.
 
netedu said:
Technology is all around us, but in many shapes and forms. Children will quickly develop an interest in computers since it's the norm these days, but about about building things? Moving things, robots and cars. I'm thinking that by playing with the more complex Lego sets, with motors and circuits, children can develop an attraction towards technology in general, not just computers.

What do you think, how can we point our kids towards technology?
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I doubt if we need to point our kids towards technology. From what I have seen, while teaching children, it's more a question of controlling their use of technology. Left to themselves, the children would probably be totally immersed in technology. The real world, by comparison, is not so much fun. What I think we should do is to guide our children as they explore the fascinating world of technology. For me this is not a problem, since I am very much into computers and the internet. For parents who are technologically-challenged, so to speak, this may present a bit of a problem.
 
Aree Wongwanlee said:
I doubt if we need to point our kids towards technology. From what I have seen, while teaching children, it's more a question of controlling their use of technology. Left to themselves, the children would probably be totally immersed in technology. The real world, by comparison, is not so much fun. What I think we should do is to guide our children as they explore the fascinating world of technology. For me this is not a problem, since I am very much into computers and the internet. For parents who are technologically-challenged, so to speak, this may present a bit of a problem.
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It's true that not all parents are going to be competent when it comes to technology, and so that means that for certain children the main education and use will only be at school. Technology and the internet for example is gaining more popularity in all walks of life, and that's why if I was a parent that wasn't up to date with technology then for the benefit of my children it would be important to at least be able to do the basics and it's something that I myself would take upon myself to learn.

While it's understandable that some older people aren't going to be used to technology because it's not what hey have been brought up with, at the same time there is enough courses available now to at least give it a go.
 
From what I have observed, whether the parents are technology-savvy or otherwise, the children are going to get involved in technology in school as well as at home. "Teaching Mum how to hit the enter key" is not really that far-fetched a joke.

As for whether older people may or may not be able to keep up with advances in technology, I believe it's more a matter of attitude rather than aptitude. Like, for some people, they have been able to live rich, fulfilling lives without, say, knowing anything about Facebook. So they do not see any real reason to find out more about, say, Facebook.

Myself, I believe that one of the main distinctions between man and the average animal is the ability to use tools, effectively and efficiently. Technology is just another word for tool-making. So, for me, using technology is just simply using tools. And to teach the children to use technology is to teach them to differentiate themselves from the average animal.
 
People should adapt to the world as it changes, and with technology no doubt playing a big part in our lives now and into the future, I think that even those that don't use technology all that much should at least make the effort and simply by burying your head in the sand and not learning new things because it doesn't affect you isn't just standing still but can even be considered as taking a backward step.

Not everyone is going to be good at using modern technology, I know that after trying to set up an email account for my grandparents! But at the same time at least trying to learn keeps the mind active at the very least.
 
There is a positive outcome from keeping the mind active. According to one study, senior citizens who engage in activities which challenge their mental faculties, have a better chance of not falling victim to Alzheimer's disease. That would be good, wouldn't it?

Now, as for the challenge of teaching the older folks how to cope with new technology, I think the problem is more with the person doing the teaching than the person being taught. Young people tend to be impatient and make assumptions about prior knowledge. What I mean to say is that older folks can be taught just as well as younger folks. If we can be patient in teaching the alphabet to toddlers, we can be equally patient in teaching our grandparents how to navigate Facebook.
 
Aree Wongwanlee said:
From what I have observed, whether the parents are technology-savvy or otherwise, the children are going to get involved in technology in school as well as at home. "Teaching Mum how to hit the enter key" is not really that far-fetched a joke.

As for whether older people may or may not be able to keep up with advances in technology, I believe it's more a matter of attitude rather than aptitude. Like, for some people, they have been able to live rich, fulfilling lives without, say, knowing anything about Facebook. So they do not see any real reason to find out more about, say, Facebook.

Myself, I believe that one of the main distinctions between man and the average animal is the ability to use tools, effectively and efficiently. Technology is just another word for tool-making. So, for me, using technology is just simply using tools. And to teach the children to use technology is to teach them to differentiate themselves from the average animal.
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Were there is a necessity their is a way. If the technology is necessary, it doesn't matter how old the person is, they will learn how to use it. A good example of this is senior citizens and cell phones.
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Lewriter said:
A wonderful way to encourage children to learn more about electronics and computers is by introducing them to Arduino.

This can serve as an inspiring platform for sparking their curiosity through projects that go beyond the monitor, they will love to see how programmable electronic circuits can control the real world.

A case in point:

https://learn.sparkfun.com/blog/1338
Click to expand...
That is a good idea. Now days when people talk about tech they often refer to the software, it would be a excellent idea to introduce kids to the components behind the software.
 
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