Experiencing

I have worked at a day care for eight years and counting, and it has proven to be fun yet challenging at times but in the end it has been extremely rewarding. Over my years of observing the children their love for recent technologies such as smartphones, iPods, and videogames became apparent to me. I would often offer to draw, paint, or making some type of craft, but many students were not interested if they were allowed to play on their electronic devices. But when these technologies were not available or allowed students became more involved and excited to participate in the art activities. Creating with the students was both fun and a wonderful learning experience for me as a prospective teacher. The most exciting part for me was to see them excited about creating along with their stories and reasoning behind every mark created or craft built.

This brings back fond memories for me as a child. After school my mom would have crafts and art supplies ready for three of my friends and I. Sometimes we would even use objects I would have never dreamer of using as a child, such as potatoes to make stamps, found objects (buttons, hangers, knickknacks), and even food into sculptures. As a child this can help to enhance ones critical thinking abilities and a chance to explore the world we live in by stimulating all of the senses. Now to this day I am constantly searching for new ways to create and materials to use. Without our senses we would not be able to experience the world as we do, tasting, touching, hearing, smelling, and seeing. How would we experience the world without these senses? Does technology enhance or limit our experiences? Creating is based on life experience, emotions, and knowledge, but are some technologies changing these things in our lives in a more positive aspect or negative aspect? I believe there are both pros and cons on both ends of the argument, but personally I hope that technology never replaces the physical aspects of life experiences.