Kindergarten no 41 / english version/

Technikoludek- a child in the world of technology.

nationwide educational project 4th edition

Modern technologies are the integral part of our lives. The world is changing all the time. It is moving forward and developing rapidly. Technological progress should help us in everyday life. However, very often this isn’t the case. Children are being constantly overwhelmed with tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles. Nevertheless, we can’t give up on using technology entirely and introducing children to the world of technology. The ability of using multimedia tools may be one of the ways of acquiring knowledge and new skills. Educational project ‘Technikoludek- a child in the world of technology’ is the continuation of the project which started in 2020 in order to shape pro-health attitude, care about spending time with family, make children sensitive to beauty of the surronding world and care about safety and responsibility among the youngest. All of this we want to do with the use of modern technology.

The originators and authors are kindergarten’s teachers Agnieszka Chudzik and Aleksandra Mazur

and the main organiser is Kindergarten no 41 in Rybnik

Address:

11, Chabrowa Street

Rybnik  44-210 Poland

tel. no.32 424 08 65

email: przedszkole41@op.pl

web site://www.p41.miastorybnik.pl/

The main aim of the project

Developing of key competences through introduction of a child into the world of technology, values, beauty and health.

Developing of cooperation of kindergarten and primary school teachers in Poland and nationwide.

Specific objectives

Developing of key competences

1. In terms of understanding and creating information

• Developing of linguistic competences including mastering a child’s ability to speak and making parents aware of  the importance and meaning of speech in child’s development

2. In terms of multilingual competence

• Developing of skills in using a foreign language

3 In terms of mathematical skills and skills in science, technology and engineering

• Developing of counting skills, coding with the use of games, interactive programs
• Making  children sensitive to the beauty of nature, seasons and surrounding world, including raising children’s interests in the world around us, promoting of programs presenting beauty and natural values. Shaping of pro environmental attitudes

4. In terms of digital competences

• Developing of skills in using modern equipment. Raising children’s and parents’ awareness of the effects of excessive use of modern technology.

5. In terms of personal, social skills and learning skills

• Developing of social and prosocial attitudes through taking part in events, trips, activities, meetings, contests
• Shaping of pro-family attitudes including strengthening family ties, relations with peers, drawing attention to the role of the family in helping the child in difficult situations. Shaping of character traits such as openness, sociability, solidarity, placidity, being active and  optimistic,

6. In terms of civic competences

• Developing of the awarenessof caring about the environment and country through taking part in actions, celebrations, important events organised in the kindergarten. Introducing to caring for the common good of the group. Shaping of children’s patriotic virtues.

7. In terms of entrepreneurial skills

• Developing of children’s independence. Raising children’s motivation to act.  Developing planning skills. Promoting of kindergarten’s activity.

8. In terms of cultural awareness and expression competence

• Developing the ability to express feelings, emotions, ideas with help of different means of expression such as music, dance, art.

As for the teachers:

•        Developing teachers’ technological skills
•        Sharing experience and ideas among teachers
•        Promotion of educational institution and teacher’ activities

 

Project duration:

The project is realised from September 2023 to June 2024

 

Terms of participation:

Kindergartens and primary schools in Poland and all over the world can take part in the project. Participation is voluntary and free of charge.

Project submission from 15th August  to 15th September (later after the organiser’ acceptance)- application form to fill in on facebook page.

Teachers willing to take part in the project are obliged to obtain consent of parents of children taking part in the project and keeping the statements in the project documentation. The statements should be written according to the directions of each educational institution in agreement with

data protection officer

 Project participants to realise the project objectives and give short description with a photo-report on facebook page. The project group should be treated as source of inspiration, ideas and teachers experience exchange.

The report should be written in the following way:

School year 2023/24- Kindergarten no… in…..

Realised in September:

 

Facebook site:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/569304870415103? modal=false&should_open_composer=false&hoisted_section_header_type=notifi cations&show_migration_preparation_dialog=false&show_migration_onboarding_ dialog=false

• Every institution chooses a coordinator of the project, whose task is to apply for the project, supervising the actions, contact with organisers, making online reports and sending a final report on the project realisation.
• In order to receive a certificate of doing the project one needs to do at least 8 tasks and fill in the evaluation form until 15 July 2024. There are four tasks on every month from which one should choose one task to complete. . The tasks are realised according to a schedule.They can be done by one group in the kindergarten or more groups
• We encourage to do additional activities described at the end of the list. At the same time we point out that realising of these additional tasks is not necessary to receive the certificate.
• The organisor informs that during the school year there may be organised contests for children and teachers.

We encourage to sharing your knowledge and experience through conducting trainings dealing with multimedia tools and modern technologies in your educational institutions and sharing them on your project website. Every one who shares such training will receive an official acknowledgement letter

 

INNOVATION

We would like to inform that the project may become an innovation at your educational institution. It should be pointed out that the innovation is realised on the basis of National Educational Project created by Aleksandra Mazur and Agnieszka Chudzik and organised by Kindergarten no 41 in Rybnik

Unauthorised copying of the content is prohibited

September

• ‘Who is Technikoludek?’ introducing the main character of the project. Listening to a story about Technikoludek e.g. ‘First day of Techikoludek in kindergarten’ by A. Mazur from the book ‘Technikoludek’s poems and stories’ by A.Chudzik, K. Ciupek, a. Mazur. Creating of Technikoludek’s corner including different technological equipment (old keyboards, phones, calculators, cameras etc)

The story can be downloaded from the project web site.

• ‘Technikoludek- my friend’ making a spatial figure of Technikoludek for the technological corner- a contest in the kindergarten. Placing the figure in the corner as a reminder of the project
• ‘Our encounters with Technikoludek’ creating a project chronicle. A voluntary pupil, with parents’ help, makes illustrations presenting activities with Technikoludek his group have done in a given month. The teacher prepares a template for each illustration in a form of a film frame and creates an album out of all the illustrations.
• Activities with the use of smartphone application- preparing and performing activities, plays with the use of application such as e. g. hologram, QR codes, quiver

 

October

• ,I create my garden with Technikoludek Romek’ listening to a poem (downloaded from the project web site), creating autumn decoration in the garden or the kindergarten’ s hall. A photo session with children with the use of the decoration
• ‘Technikoludek in a mill’ or World Bread Day (October, 16^th) creating didactic tools by teachers (multimedia presentation) and uploading it on the project website
• ‘Pumpkin Day’ organising of a performance or activities about vegetables and their meaning for health in a foreign language
• ‘The wind is blowing, trees are rustling’ creating an online game of speech therapy (word-wall or a different internet platform) Uploading of the link to the game on the project website.

 

November

• ‘Technikoludek’s fairy tale night’- a night with educational fairy tales and integrative plays in the kidergarten, staying the night in the kindergarten.
• ‘I am safe with Technikoludek’- organising of a performance for children ‘Cipher-celebration’ or olimpic games according to  one’s own conception, drawing attention to threats of the internet, improving children’ knowledge. Playing together to the songs.
• ‘Techikoludek helps teachers and shares his knowledge and experience’- teachers’ trainings according to children’s needs

a) creating a multimedia presentation connected with a chosen day from the calendar of unusual holidays e. g. Forget-me-not Day

b) organising of teachers’ training e. g. creating of an instruction of a programme and uploading it on the project web site ( for completing of this task and reporting it the participant gets a certificate)

c) creating of a list of institutions helping parents and their children, uploading it on the kindergarten’s web site

d) organising of workshops or training for teachers or parents by a speech therapist or psychologist (possibly with the use of multimedia presentation)

 

• ‘Inventions then and now’ organising of an exhibition of equipment, watching of multimedia presentation (different presentations to choose from can be found on the project web site), a talk. ‘My invention’ a game for children.

 

December

• ‘Technikoludek at the speech therapist’ Tasks to choose from:

a)’ I practice my speech with Technikoludek’ activities with a speech therapist on the basis of Logo Lab cards which are uploaded on the project site

b) Designing a card on a chosen sound. Uploading it on the project site. Designing of a teaching aid and sending it to the organisors’ address

• ‘Technikoludek teaches me how to read’ Tasks to choose from:

a) Learning about the history of printing, creating of a picture story. Visiting of a library or a book store- learning about the work of a librarian or a bookseller

b) creating a book exchange point for children and adults in the kindergarten

c) volunteering of friendship- inviting schools to cooperate,  cyclical meetings of children with older students who read to them.

• ‘I meet Technikoludek’s friends’ -open classes for parents with the use of a coding mat, ozobots, interactive board or other technological equipment. Writing of an article ‘ Technology in teacher’s work- possibilities and reality’ Sharing the article on the project web site or publishing in a magazine acknowledging the authors of the project and its name.

 

January

• ‘The robots’ ball’ organising of a fancy dress party for children, children dressing up as Technikoludek. Technikoludek fashion show
• ‘Virus- little viruses inside us which sometimes play tricks’

a) therapic activities on coping with anger

b) designing and creating stressing balls

c) designing anger pillows with the help of parents for a relaxation corner

d) conducting lessons with ‘Robaczki wciągaczki- threats of the Internet

• ‘Saving life equipment’ presenting equipment and new technology to children (a phone, privileged vehicle, blood pressure meter, inhaler, learning of first aid procedure. Acquiring of skills to report hazardous situations on the phone
• ‘ I can hear well’ conducting hearing games with the use of electronic equipment

 

February

• ‘Techikoludek’s news creating of a kindergarten’s newspaper with the most important events of the month. Designing of a front cover. Introducing children to a profession of a computer graphic designer
• ‘Safe Internet Day’ advantages and disadvantages of the Internet. Organising:

a) preventive classes in the classroom

b) preschool celebrations

c) Olympic games ‘ How much do you know about Internet threats’ according to your own idea. Sharing the scenario on the project site.

• ‘ Radio Day’

a) Getting to know about the radio equipment, the radio presenter profession

b) a trip to a radio station or inviting of radio reporter to the kindergarten, creating a radio broadcast on the topic of the project

c) organizing an event such as for example ‘ weather forecast’ or ‘ preschool group latest news’ - children’s play as radio reporters.

d) An interview with a person locally famous or popular among children

• ‘Winter time’ interesting ideas for games and plays in English. Recording a video film and uploading it on the project web site.

 

March

• ‘Technikoludek at a trip to a museum’- watching exhibits, acquiring knowledge
• ‘My disabled friend is also Technikoludek’s friend’ Tasks to choose from:

a) meeting with children who experienced some difficult situations e. g. wear orthosis, use a wheelchair, have prosthesis- teaching children respect and pro-social behaviour. Making a art craft gift for a friend in a hospital, foundation

b)Collecting of gifts for children’s wards in hospitals (toys, art supplies etc.)

• ‘I learn about jobs with Technikoludek’

a) meeting with a person who uses technology in his/her workshop

b) organizing professional preorientation corner (e. g. a shop -using a cash register, counting money, selling goods)

c)a trip to a shop

d) inviting a voluntary parent who will present his/her  profession to children

• Coding activities with Zosia- a little teacher robot (photo report)

 

April

• ‘I am getting to know the culture with Technikoludek’ Tasks to choose from:

a) organizing unusual art workshop, model-making workshops

b) going to the cinema, theatre, art room

c) monuments and important places of culture in my town/city- children, with parents’ help, take pictures of important places. Creating a photo gallery.

• ‘Technikoludek cares about the environment’  22, April Tasks to choose from:

a) collection of used batteries

b) sowing plants in the garden

c)making a drinking spot for insects

d)designing posters (with the help of parents, teachers) on the topic of taking care of cleanliness, collecting rubbish, putting the posters on the

• ‘Technikoludek observes storks’ 31, May – creating of a presentation by the teacher about storks, observing storks’ nests on the Internet, making a craft, reading poems and tales
• ‘Recycling games with Technikoludek’- designing an educational toy from recycling materials by children and their parents, organising of an exhibition.

 

May

‘Technikoludek’s cards’ Tasks to choose from:

a) sending a card about the city/town in which children live to Technikoludek on the organisers’ address (the card should by made by children)

Kindergarten no 41 in Rybnik

11, Chabrowa Street

44-210 Rybnik, Poland

b) sending a greeting card to a kindergarten from a different country

• ‘Technikoludek visits Warsaw’ tasks to choose from:

a) creating a presentation about Warsaw by teachers

b) children make a map of Poland with the most important cities and rivers in Poland

c) children’s  craft on the topic ‘Technikoludek in Warsaw’ exhibition. Taking pictures of children wearing white and red

d) visiting Warsaw or other interesting places in Poland with the use of Google Earth, Google Street View

• ‘ I speak properly with Technikoludek’ conducting classes with the sound ‘r’ on the basis of Logo Lab cards downloaded from the project website
• ‘Technikoludek is helping my mum’ Tasks to choose from:

a) learning of a chosen song about parents, classes on the topic of technology used in the house making life easier

b) making a gift for Mother’s Day ‘ A robot helping my mother at work’

c)recording of Mother’s and Father’s Day performance

 

June

• Wind Day 16, June Tasks to choose from:

a) getting to know different sources of renewable energy, organising activities with kites in the garden

• games with a speech therapist- different ideas of breathing activities, conducting classes, photo report
• creating a presentation summing up the whole project with the most intersting pictures and events, uploading of the presentation on the kindergarten site
• ‘We care for physical fittness with Technikoludek’- organising of a Sport Day

a) preparing of traditional playground games and activities with the help of parents

b) a football match- inviting fathers to take partaking

c) inviting a guest- a sportsman or sportswoman to tell his story of a sport career

• ‘ I spend my summer holidays in active way’ organising an art contest in the kindergarten.

 Any questions and requests please direct to the authors of the project through facebook project site  or e-mail:

technikoludkiprojekt@gmail.com

przedszkole.olamazur@gmail.com

If you want to sign up to our project please click below and fill in the application.

english https://docs.goohttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1HmnRNaX9lVK9GlNOCy5_9PzrnYYs7oXtNRw2cq2pc2U/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0pwuk04oCo-LN4XNOkdQ6U8p-keTDB1NuvOW720UDH4gcciVP1DO7tm98&edit_requested=truegle.com/forms/d/1HmnRNaX9lVK9GlNOCy5_9PzrnYYs7oXtNRw2cq2pc2U/viewform?fbclid=IwAR0pwuk04oCo-LN4XNOkdQ6U8p-keTDB1NuvOW720UDH4gcciVP1DO7tm98&edit_requested=true

 

polish https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf_ThqelhywIq-zvlEXKsxESA0K4w-b6Uc6ItXr7-xxlDNMwA/viewform

tłum. E. Mazur

Are technology-related educational projects needed
and what is their effectiveness?

The article was prepared on the basis of conducted research - a nationwide educational project for children "Technikoludekviz a child in the world of technology".

 

Today's world surrounds us with constantly developing technology. Until a few years ago, it was unthinkable that the mobile phone could take photos, robots would vacuum the apartments, and children would use computers during lessons. Our world is constantly moving forward, and with it the needs, values, forms of spending free time, and the education system are changing.

"Technikoludek a child in the world of technology" is a nationwide project that was carried out in 138 educational institutions for children in preschool and school age. It was created as a response to the implementation of the state's educational policy. As educators, psychologists or speech therapists, we are aware that using modern technologies too early will not do any good for a child, on the other hand, we know that we will not change this state of affairs - children will sooner or later get a mobile phone, laptop etc. We cannot avoid technological innovations that offer a different, and usually more attractive view of the world. Therefore, the only solution is to make children aware of the advantages and disadvantages of modern technology. It is well known that technology has its strengths when used wisely, i.e. for educational purposes. However, it also has weaknesses, as evidenced by the growing number of addictions among children every year. The young generation should be made aware and educated about it.

The "Technikoludek ..." project’s participantsimplementedone task each month (more at https://www.p41.miastorybnik.pl/projekty-i-programy.html). Some of them taught children to use technology in an interesting and safe way, and others made them aware of the dangers or showed them more attractive forms of spending their free time. So was the initiative needed? Was it effective? I will answer these questions below.

The results of the survey conducted among the project participants clearly show that project was needed. Moreover, “Technikoludek” met the expectations of 96.8% of the respondents, and 88.9% of teachers judged the project as very good. But what prompted people to participate in it? According to the respondents, it was: a very interesting approach to the topic, the possibility of continuation in the next years, the desire to develop awareness of the safe use of technology, the lack of elements related to modern technologies in educational guides, the attractiveness of tasks, the problem of children's unhealthy interest in modern technologies.

The most popular tasks were:

•        Garden play day - 15.9%,
•        An interview with teachers conducted by children- 14.3%,
•        Celebrating the World Smile Day - 9.5%,
•        The technology and clocks. Learning about technological devices in the past and today - 7.9%,
•        The technology of our grandmothers and grandparents. Listening to stories about ideas from time of their youth - 6.3%,
•        A small photographer.Taking photos of the nature - 6.3%,
•        Penguin Awareness Daywith the use of multimedia presentations - 4.8%,
•        Technikoludek goes to nursery school - 4.8%.

       Among the interesting tasks the respondents also mentioned: a robots ball, recording a video of a nativity play, designing a poster of Technikoludek, creating a technology corner, working with a camera, a technological fashion show, welcoming spring party, using a microphone during classes. In turn, the most frequently used devices were a telephone (20.5%), computer equipment (20.5%), a camera (17.4%), a stereo with a microphone (16%), and an interactive board (16%). Ozobots and gemibots (3.8%), and interactive carpets (3.5%) were used the least. These data indicate that teachers most often use those technological devices that are familiar to them. On the other hand, modern ones, which are just entering educational institutions such as gemibots or interactive carpets, were rarely used. So what is it related to? Is it the lack of financial resources for such expensive equipment or unqualified personnel? This issue is will be studied in future research.

While an alysing the collected data, it is worth noting that the majority of respondents (63.5%) took part in the project for the first time, and as many as 88.9% declare their willingness to participate in subsequent editions. The reason for this is, as it turns out, the benefits that the project has brought to the institutions. And they are: drawing attention to and expanding knowledge on technology-related topics, proposing interesting ideas for working with children, developing the institution's activities, involving parents to participate, promoting institutions as modern ones, developing talents and interests, sensitizing children and their parents to the effects of improper use of technology.

In addition to the benefits brought by the project, 63.5% of respondents praised extensive support materials, i.e.: calendars for each month, worksheets for children, lists of help centers, the Technikoludek anthem, stories, a list of key competences for each task, an alphabet for children, leaflets for parents related to prevention and articulation, puzzles, brochures etc. Some of these aids were created thanks to the cooperation with the speech therapist Monika CzuchrajKupisz - "KartylogopedyczneodLogoLab[Logopedic cards from LogoLab]" and the teacher Anna Kowalczyk from "Pomysłowawiewiórka[Inventive squirrel]", which enriched the project with interesting speech therapy and didactic aids. Taking into account the opinions on the project, 66.7% of respondents stated that they would be willing to buy a book connected to the project children, if one were to come into existence.

During the implementation of the project, the authors, as well as those working on it, actively supported the participants by answering their questions on an ongoing basis, putting examples of activities on the website, organising training sessions and competitions for writing articles which benefited teachers with professional advancement. As a result, as many as 76.2% of respondents assessed the organization of the project as very good, and 23.8% as good.

All of this shows that "Technikoludekviza child in the world of technology" is necessary. According to the teachers, it brought many benefits which were already mentioned above, and also improved the quality of the educational institutions’ work, helped with developing children’s interests andkey competences, and workingin a group. However,the most important thing is that according to 96.8% of the respondents, the project contributed to increasing children's awareness of the dangers of modern technology and made them sensitive to using them wisely under adult supervision.As for the weakest points, only a few respondents mentioned them. They complained that the previous edition was more attractive, and there were too many materials, and it was difficult to choose.

In summary, the implementation of the initiative met the expectations and showed how important and necessary the technology related education is. Finally, I would like to quote the opinion of one of the authors of the survey, "Technikoludek is a project that moves with the times". I think these words speak for themselves.

 

Written by

Agnieszka Chudzik, September 2022