December 2003 — Features
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Engaging Families With Technology
Accommodating Families
The unique circumstances of the families targeted for increased involvement must be considered at every step of the program or research project. Educators and researchers have to be prepared to remedy a host of factors that would ordinarily go overlooked. For example, FamilyTech organizers recognized that just providing families with computers did not mean the families would be free to use the computers to their fullest extent. During interviews, it was brought to our attention that some families shared their households with not only multiple generations but multiple branches (e.g., an aunt's or uncle's family) of the same family. In such a scenario, it would be impossible for a student to tie up the household's single telephone line by working online.
Other families simply did not have an operational telephone line or could not afford the extra fees for Internet access. As a result, FamilyTech computer training sessions were held at the children's schools, and parents and students were allowed access to the schools' computer labs on particular weekends. Families were also informed about local libraries that offered computer terminals and free Internet access.
Technology is a high-interest medium that offers high returns for both parents and students. Its flexibility, value and applicability make it an ideal topic for reform programs aimed at increasing parental involvement in children's education.
References
Birnie, B. 1999. 'Citibank FamilyTech Evaluation Phase 2.' The Education Fund: North Miami, FL.
Henderson, A., and K. Mapp. 2002. 'A New Wave of Evidence: The Impact of School, Family and Community Connections on Student Achievement.' SEDL's National Center for Family and Community Connections with Schools. Online: www.sedl.org/connections/resources/evidence.pdf.
Lopez, G., J. Scribner and K. Mahitivanichcha. 2001. 'Redefining Parental Involvement: Lessons From High-Performing Migrant-Impacted Schools.' American Educational Research Journal 38 (2): 253-288.
South Florida Annenberg Challenge (SFAC) Evaluation Team. 2002. Unpublished raw data of stakeholder satisfaction with SFAC case study programs.
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