Parents and their Digital Citizenship

Our school is in its first year as a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) School. We are learning along the way. In addition to providing supports for both students and teachers, we are also responsible for helping our parents cross this “great divide”.  I thought my school was adequately meeting parent needs; however, the epiphany surfaced during this morning’s #Satchatwc when I realized that I could be doing more to help parents “connect”.  I learned that there are more supports that we can provide parents, that we need to promote digital awareness on a higher and deeper level for all parents. Thanks to moderator (Shelley Burgess) @burgess_shelley and Guest Educator (Jenny Grabiec) @techgirljenny they facilitated an excellent chat where we learned of many resources and tools to share with parents.

Below are several avenues to pursue when considering ways to help your parents move into the digital age…

·         Social Media Training: We cannot assume that our parents are ready for the transition into Social Media and its application to the school setting. Providing frequent and timely (perhaps quarterly) training will help parents become connected to the digital school and community.

·         Communicating with “feeder school” parents: High schools and middle schools need to make sure to help their 8^th grade and 5^th grade parents, respectively, can make the digital transition to the new learning environment. Unique Parent PD will help ease the anxiety for these parent groups.

·         Parent Chat: Start by introducing a monthly Twitter Parent Chat. Then as you feel comfortable move to 2x a month and to weekly (if your stakeholders see the need for weekly support). Presently I hold a parent chat (#FHMchat) twice a month.

·         Cyber Awareness & Education: Host and sponsor an evening event for your parents to hear from a local cyber expert. Your state’s Cyber Task Force will provide a guest speaker (free of charge).

·         EdCamp for Parents; Take the educator edcamp philosophy and practice then apply it to our Parent PD. This way you can design the parent PD to meet their individual needs. WE know how successful and powerful the edcamp experience is for, so just imagine how it could educate and empower our parents!

·         21c teaching strategies: It’s vital to keep your parents connected with the current best practices. We have teachers moving in the direction of the Flipped Classroom, Blended Learning, Genius Hour (20% Time), Augmented Reality Apps, and more. Knowing this we need to help our parents understand and know the purpose of implementing these strategies in the new learning environment.

·         Archive information: All of your parents may be able to attend or access the information at the time of the PD; therefore, you need to make sure you archive the information and communicate how they can access the training or educational information.

You can use your current Parent Events to embed this professional development (Open House, Conferences, Registration, and other evening events). As you continue your journey in supporting the “digital parent” of today, please share with me your events, initiatives PD, and programs.