April 2002 — Industry Perspective
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How the Web Keeps Parents 'In the Know'
As parents today strive for balance between family and career, the Internet has emerged as one of the most effective and efficient ways for them to engage in their child's educational progress from the home or office. But, many parents are unaware of the tremendous value the Internet can offer in terms of the development of their child's education. Teachers and parents are recognizing the value of technology. They are also becoming more comfortable integrating the Internet and technology into classroom and home activities. A recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce says that 90 percent of children between the ages of 5 and 17 now use computers at home and at school. However, teachers and parents are not using this medium to communicate with one another. According to the Milken Exchange on Education Technology, part of the Milken Family Foundation, only 12 percent of U.S. elementary and middle school teachers report using the World Wide Web to communicate with parents. As teachers and parents work together to assist students in their studies, the Web has emerged as a highly effective and informative communication tool to meet the needs of today's busy teachers and parents.
A technologically savvy parent is of great benefit to a teacher and can be a critical component to a child's educational success. Parental involvement in schools improves student achievement, school programs and the learning environment as a whole. According to a 2001 report from the Pew Internet & American Life Project, kids today are online more than ever, with 41 percent of online teens saying they use e-mail and instant messaging (IMing) to contact fellow classmates about schoolwork. There is no better way to encourage a child's growth and development than by parents and teachers working together to meet a student's educational needs. Together, teachers and parents can improve school-home communications by tracking a student's progress via the Internet. With the onset of technology, parents can occupy a virtual seat in the classroom to participate in their child's day-to-day education, which is a significant step toward achieving the aforementioned goals.
Wired Parents
Assume that your students' parents have varied skill levels. Some may have access to computers at home, the office or both, while others will have to use the resources at the local library or community center. For parents without Internet access, you should have a list of available computer resources on hand so they know where they can get online, preferably at no cost. The following tips have proven useful in helping to educate and inform parents on how to use the Internet:
- Ask your PTA to set up a "family night" on computers, technology and the Internet to help educate parents, and teach them how to use the Internet to become more involved with their child's studies.
- Encourage parents to look into sites that offer services for parents. For example, the Learning Network (www.learningnetwork.com) offers a "What Works" section on technology, discussions about Internet safety and guidelines for parents using the Internet as an educational source. This will allow those who are new to the Internet to learn basic skills, while allowing those tech-savvy parents to explore the latest in online education.
