How To Get The Best Education Possible: Tip #78

An effective schools has an integration of technology into teaching and learning. This brings us to tip #78.

Tip #78: An effective school has every teacher and student having the latest technology available and accessable.

The latest in technology will allow all students access and analyze information, communicate ideas, and express themselves creatively. Teachers have adequate equipment and professional training in using the latest technology to implement technology enhanced lessons.

Questions to ask or things to do:

1. How many computers are available at your child's school? Is there a computer lab or are the computers in the classroom?

2. Are there computer objectives for each grade level? Ask the principal or your child's teacher. Find out what the objectives are and can you work with these objectives at home?

3. What other technology is available to teachers and students? The teachers or principal should be able to answer this question.

4. If you have business connections or can write grants, speak to the principal about trying to get more technology in the school. Ask the technology specialist or principal about the technology needs. The world is interconnected through technology and it is extremely important that our children can operate the latest technology to keep up with future employment and global communications.

5. If it is possible, get your child a laptop for home or see if the school allows computers to be checked out overnight or summer break. If you already have a home computer, make sure you are aware of the sites your child visits. Either block unwanted sites or work on the computer together. Make your child aware of the dangers of visiting certain websites or putting personal information on social sites. These things can come back to haunt them in years to come.