Knowledge
Schools can use #EDTECH to support young children’s early learning and strengthen home-school relationships
Parents today use a variety of tech tools and gadgets including tablets and smartphones in their daily routing. This article focusses on some tips for schools on using education technology a.k.a. #Edtech to support their young children’s early learning and strengthen home-school relationships.
Parents today use a variety of tech tools and gadgets including tablets and smartphones in their daily routing. This article focusses on some tips for schools on using education technology a.k.a. #Edtech to support their young children's early learning and strengthen home-school relationships.
Gather Information
Schools No longer need to make assumptions about how families and children use technlogy at home – a quick survey can help you find out what they use, how they use it, and whether they have Internet access.
Document and share
Invite parents and family members to document early learning activities at home using technology for example, a parent or another family member can make a video of their child explaining the story behind her drawing or take a series of photos of an activity over time the child can talk about. When children share digital documentation of home experiences with their classmates and teachers, teachers gain a better understanding of each child and family.
Open many communication pathways
People like to receive information in diffrent ways. School communication apps can make everyone's life easier by sending reminders about parent-teacher meetings or educational trips directly to parents' mobile phones. Messaging services with voice and photo (for families who have smartphones) can help reach families. There are many ways to share information digitally, such as mobile apps, classroom blogs, Facebook, and Google Drive. Schools, educators and parents don't have to worry about losing track of papers when information is shared using the digital medium.
Promote a community of learners
Facilitate a learning community in which families learn with and from other families and community members. Together, identify issues such as device management and media diet, and search for solutions, tutorials, and ways to share information so all families feel comfortable using technology to help their children learn.
Use videos to model
Schools, teachers and parents can create videos with a smartphone to share their lessons and tips with other members of the school's closed group.
For more information, read Uncharted Territory: 10 Technology Tips for Preschool Parents at http://families.naeyc.org/uncharted-territory-10-technology-tips-preschool-parents#sthash.tyCFK8B1.dpuf.