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"Whether your children are experienced computer users or just getting started, they need your involvement, your experience, and your judgment."
--Parents Guide to the Internet, US Dept. of Education
What's in it for me as a parent?
The Internet offers you:
Information about child development, parenting, education, learning activities, advocacy, your child's school, and almost any other imaginable topic that could help you in your job as parent.
Communication with teachers: it's fast and convenient with e-mail. Online discussions put you in touch with experts from across the country, as well as with parents who share your concerns.
Interaction with your child as you both explore the Internet's vast educational resources-from encyclopedias to "virtual" visits to museums and foreign lands.
What if we don't have a computer at home?
Public access to computers and the Internet is growing. Your library is the most likely place to find an Internet connection for personal use. Many community or neighborhood centers are getting online, as are Head Start and public housing facilities. Your school district might have computers designated for parent use. Also check with a local community college. And if you can't find access, talk to your library, school district or city officials about creating opportunities for parents to go online.
Where can I find out more?
The following publications are a good starting point for parents.
Parents' Guide to the Internet, free from the U.S. Dept. of Education, lists the benefits of getting connected, the equipment you'll need, how to use the Internet, safety issues, and sites to visit. To order, call 1-800-USA-LEARN. You can also view it online at: http://www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/internet/
A Parents' Guide to the Information Superhighway: Rules and Tools for the Road gives good advice about children online, getting started and getting involved. $5.00 from The Children's Partnership, 1351 3rd St. Promenade, Suite 206, Santa Monica CA 90401 or free on-line: http://www.childrenspartnership.org
Also be sure to take advantage of any free training that is offered at your public library or other sites in your community.
How can I help my child's school?
~ Share your technology ideas with PTA/PTO, teachers or others at your child's school.
~ Offer to help plan a family computer night, assist with a school or classroom web site.
~ Teach other parents how to use the Internet.
~ Participate in developing a school-wide technology plan.
~ Join a school technology committee.
Check it out!
The American Library Association offers guidelines that can help you evaluate the quality of a web site: http://www.ala.org/parents page/greatsites/criteria.html
It also has links to hundreds of quality sites for parents and kids: http://www.ala.org/parents page/great sites/amazing.html
The National Parent Information Network provides information on child development, education, parenting & more: http://npin.org
The Family Education Network offers a wide variety of resources for helping your children learn: http://familyeducation.com
This site at the Center for Media Education discusses in depth a number of online parenting sites: http://tap.epn.org/cme/
The Children's Partnership offers "Keeping Kids Safe Online" at: http://www.childrenspartnership.org/safety.html#medium
The IN Department of Education has links to Indiana school websites. Check to see if your child's school has a site: http://ideanet. doe.state.in.us:80/htmls/k12.html
Parent Power is filled with good information about Indiana schools, education and advocacy: http://www.parentpower.org
Indiana Parent Information Network provides a searchable database of Indiana resources for parents of children with special needs: http://www.state.in.us/ipin/
Please feel free to reproduce and distribute this handout. It was developed by The Family Connection of St. Joseph County, Inc. for the Indiana Center for Family, School & Community Partnerships under a grant from the Department of Education to the Indiana Parent Information Network, Inc. The content does not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. For more information, contact Kate Gill Kressley at: FSC Partnerships, 4755 Kingsway Drive, Suite 105, Indianapolis IN 46205 · 317-205-2595 · fax: 317-251-7488 · email: fscp@indy.net (9/98)