It can be hard to keep up with the new digital devices, mobile apps and educational software that are developed every day, but when used effectively, technology can be a great way to strengthen a student’s learning experience.
Digital learning includes online courses, tools, applications, content or resources, and will often extend into a student’s life outside the classroom. To do their homework, today’s students no longer use encyclopedias or other outdated books on the shelf—they are required to use the internet. This process can involve using search engines, informational websites, “Wikipedia,” or accessing digital books. Some educators will even have their students submit their homework online.
Here are a few tips to help your kids have safer, smarter and more positive digital learning experiences.
- Explore educational websites, applications and games together first so you can talk about safety in that environment, observe how others interact, and shadow good decision-making.
- Talk about a website’s credibility, compare multiple sources, watch out for advertisements and use Wikipedia as a springboard for searching.
- Follow school assignments as a guide because teachers often state specific places to seek information.
- Download and walk through Common Sense Education’s tips on strategic searching and how you can narrow down searches by using multiple, specific and descriptive words, or trying synonyms and using quotation marks.
- Always cite internet research or give credit to the source of the work.
- Set a time for your search and watch the clock to know when you’re spending too much time exploring a topic instead of finding your answer.
To learn more about digital safety, read “Parents, Are Your Kids Using These Apps?”
