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The article about webcams in the classroom reminded me of a book that I read called the Nanny Diaries. The story was about a Nanny in New York and all the experiences that she had with her high powered, wealthy family. The nanny in the story was monitored by a nanny cam that she didn’t know about. This camera was hidden in a stuff toy and watched her every move with the child. When I was reading this in the novel I couldn’t believe that something like this could exist. When I read about it a year ago I felt that a nanny cam was skeptical, and I feel the same way about having a camera in a nursery school class room. I think that it is a parents’ responsibility to select childcare arrangements that they trust and that they feel comfortable leaving their child with. I think that they don’t have the gut instinct that they are leaving their child in safe hands that they can trust then they need to find an alternative arrangement.
I think that having a webcam in a childcare facility would create a very fake environment. I know that if I was working in a facility where my every move was monitored by the parent I would not be natural. I would be nervous that I would do something they would not approve of. I also think that I wouldn’t have the ability to have authority over the children. I would be worried that if children knew that their parents were watching them at all times they would not take me seriously as an authoritative figure because they would feel that their parents were still in charge.
I think that having a webcam at a pool is an excellent idea. I think that any technology that could help prevent the high rate of drownings in the province should be used. I have many years experience being a lifeguard and I know that there have been times when I have been hungry and tired and that I was not guarding to my best ability. I am sure that there are many guards that have been in the same situation and having a camera that can assist them is great. But I do not think that lifeguards should rely on cameras I think that they should be an assisting tool.
September 28 2005, 17:27:27 UTC 6 years ago
Cameras in childcare
I agree with your statement that cameras create a fake work environment. I think your perspective on life guarding is interesting and I am glad that you think that cameras should be used as an assisting tool and that people shouldn't solely rely on the cameras.October 3 2005, 19:18:09 UTC 6 years ago
Yessum
ditto that ... cameras used as an assisting tool is beneficial. Of course while maintaining the notion that there should not be a reliance on the cameras.September 30 2005, 18:05:33 UTC 6 years ago
Fakeness
I also agree with the fact that having a webcam in a daycare setting, would create a very "fake" invironment. To me it would be just like the feeling I get when I am doing an activity during placement while being evaluated. I am defenitly not my self because I feel uncomfortable. When I know people are not watching i am very different when working with children. I am much more relaxed, in tune with the children (because im not worried that someone is watching what I do) and rather silly. I do not think the fake environment it may create would be very benifical, but thats just my opinion. Good Post!September 30 2005, 18:06:20 UTC 6 years ago
Re: Fakeness
And I do know how to spell environment...whoopsOctober 4 2005, 21:17:19 UTC 6 years ago
Agreed
I completely agree with you about having the webcams in daycares. I think that I would not be the same person. I would probably act differently and not do my job as well as I can. I think that does create a fake environment that be very unnatural to me and maybe even the children.