Technology and magic – ECT Anna shares what keeps her in the sector

For early childhood teacher Anna Kuiti, the recent winner of a New Zealand Tertiary College (NZTC) Academic Excellence Award, the innovative possibilities created by technology are a vital aspect of retaining her interest in working in the sector. 

Initially attracted to early childhood education and care (ECEC) by “the magic of early childhood,” Ms Kuiti said being able to hand over power and agency to children, facilitated by technology, has transformed her pedagogy and practice. 

She recently took on the role of lead teacher in a pilot project for education technology – the combination of software, hardware and theory to enable learning – and said that while she was initially skeptical about bringing tech into the classroom, the experience of participating in the pilot had shifted her thinking. 

“There are so many possibilities for how education technology can enhance inclusion, and the general landscape of early years.

“I use tech in many ways, from greenscreens that immerse children in different worlds relating to our inquiry units, to QR codes that can be scanned so children can re-read or engage with videos and stories that we have done during circle times,” she said. 

Now teaching at English Schools Foundation (ESF) Tung Chung International Kindergarten in Hong Kong, Ms Kuiti says her classroom is full of responsive tech users.

“They often use iPads to document their learning,” she explained. 

As her career progresses, she hopes to explore education technologies further and to collaborate with other teachers and schools.

“This isn’t just a career for me, it’s a passion for nurturing young minds and laying the foundations for a lifetime of learning,” she said.