ENCULTURATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN AND TECHNOLOGY

Reflection about article: Enculturation of young children and technology
21 August 2014

As defined in this article: "Enculturation is a process by which an individual learns the traditional content of a culture and assimilates its practices and values". In simpler terms, enculturation happens when a person learns about a new culture through experience and observation. In this process of enculturation, young children from as young as 2 years old, have contact with technological tools like cellphones, MP3,  baby monitors, audio recording devices, and many other portable media devices. Even though children from previous generation had assess to traditional computers, children of this generation have assess to other ubiquitous computing tools such as those mentioned above. Apart from these technological tools, children have assess to other technology-based toys such as "toy laptops", "electronic toy phone" and much more. Using these tools for recreational and educational purposes, children are also exposed to "trans-media intertextuality", a phenomenon where young children use lunch boxes, confectionery and clothings with designs from movies and video games. 

Even though technology has its benefits such as promoting motivation, self-directed learning, socialization and independence, it still remains as a controversial issue. Parents and teachers continue to interpret video games, computers and technological tools as addictions or wastage of time. One of the last learning points I got from this article was the importance of teacher scaffolding. Children can learn best when teachers are available to provide appropriate levels of assistance and feedback on their choices. Living in this era of enculturation, it is clear that these negative views on technology has to be changed before it can be integrated successfully into the the educational curriculum.