21st Century Learning
Helping Your Child Succeed
Motivational Quote:
"To bring up a child in the way we should go, travel that way yourself once in a while."
- Josh Billings
Ask These Questions...
WHY do we need change?
WHAT needs to be done?
HOW do we do it?
GET INSPIRED!
Don't be afraid to take part in your child's learning experience. The process of education is being revolutionized with new technology, which can be a very exciting and rewarding experience for everyone. I am not going to lie, it might not be easy, but I strongly suggest that you have an open mind and open heart and recognize that technology is reliable and will benefit the learning of your child in the long run. When you achieve this, you will be the one person that will be able help your child adapt to this modern era of 21st century learning!
Digital World
Our children live in a digital world, that in many cases have been personalized since birth!
Learn, Grow, Experience
Children will be motivated to learn through the use of technology and will be excited to share their learning with their parents!
Explore!
Take a second to explore and research the wide range of Web 2.0 tools that are available!
OFFERING SOME ADVICE!
Suggestions to help your child succeed!
- If you are a parent that travels or is away from the home a lot, think about using Skype. This is a free service which allows you to communicate with others across the world. Your child will be excited to stay connected to you and also be learning an important Web 2.0 tool at the same time.
- When your child is creating a project or presentation, be involved and offer your advice. Always try to promote your child's learning through projects which helps them to collaborate and become engaged.
- Tools like Edmodo and wikis will help your child to collaborate. It will also help you become more involved in their education and it will give you insight into what your child might be doing in class.
- Ensure that your child is using digital media such as audio, videos and images. These make learning interactive and engaging.
- Social networks such as Twitter, Facebook and GooglePlus will help your child build collaboration, critical thinking and communication which are all 21st century skills.
- Most schools encourage BYOD (Bring you own device). Allow your child to have tech devices such as Ipads, tablets or laptops.
Children Need Guidance
How can parents help?
Children need to take advantage of all the technology that surrounds them. They need parental guidance to help them understand how to make good choices so that they use it properly. You can help them by:
1) Considering using filtering and blocking software
2) Teaching your child to bookmark sites under favourites
3) Having an older siblings help
4) Sharing your wisdom
5) Passing along your values
6) Asking questions to evaluate each website
7) Teaching them how to use e-mail properly by helping them understand the purpose
8) Helping your child master the ability to create a strong password
9) Teaching your child to be careful of what they download
10) When researching, search together with young children
11) Discussing responsible online behaviour
12) Establishing rules as to who it is okay to talk to
13) Making sure your child feels safe talking to a trusted adult when they feel uncomfortable about something on the internet
Educational Web 2.0 Tools and Links
Educators are also learning how to incorporate 21st century skills into their classrooms. The following are a list of tools and information that will be useful for you and your child to explore!
Allows users to create virtual posters combining text, audio, video, images, and hyperlinks and to share them with others electronically.
Allows you to place collections of media like images, videos, documents, and presentations in a conversation and to make comments using any mix of text, a microphone, a web cam, a telephone, or uploaded audio file.
Similar to Microsoft office, but documents are stored online. It comes with built in apps to help you get stuff done and everything you make is automatically saved in Drive.
Helps to provide students with their own individual blog. Students can publish their own posts and comment on others. Teachers are in full control of what gets posted and over user accounts.
Allows you to start with a blank canvas where you can brainstorm ideas, answer questions, explain your thinking, etc. It is paper for the web!
Create fabulous looking presentations using text, images, videos and links. Pinch to zoom on topics, retouch your prezis and adjust your presentations on the move.
Allows children to create meaningful comics using their own avatar. It is very user friendly and includes several images, backgrounds, speech bubbles and clipart. Have fun talking about your weekend, classroom rules or introducing yourself through an exciting creation!
Present school projects using this easy tool. This is a fun way to develop your child's creativity, collaboration, communication and critical thinking skills.
BOOKS THAT MIGHT INTEREST YOU!
Insightful Read
Written with 21st-century parents firmly in mind, the book draws on recent research to help parents understand the dangers and benefits of modern technology in the lives of young children, and offers helpful guidelines for getting the best from television and computers
Engagement = Success
This book recognizes and builds upon asset that Parents and communities bring in creating partnership for children’s school success.
Not Everything Comes Easy!
Parenting can be tough! This book answers and discusses challenges that parents face and offers solutions that might help.