Posted by fhardart

October 04, 2011, 7:46 am

As a new school year is underway, it’s a great time for parents to learn how their schools incorporate the internet into their child’s learning. While curriculum was once taught through textbooks and notes on a chalkboard, teachers are now relying on the internet to help make their instruction come alive-using digital resources to incorporate multimedia into their instruction. In addition, schools are using laptops and computers to help students build their basic skills in reading and math.

Here are a few tips for parents to help learn how the internet is shaping their child’s classroom:

1. Ask about websites used: Some schools are already holding their “back to school” nights. As parents are meeting with teachers and visiting classrooms, it’s a great opportunity to learn about what websites teachers and students are using. Ask your child’s teacher if there are any websites that are used during the day to support instruction.
2. Visit the teacher's web page: Most teachers will add links on their web pages to websites they use with students. Be sure to check out your teacher’s web page to see if any of those resources are posted.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask: If your child is struggling in a particular subject or skill, ask the teacher, or the school’s computer teacher or technology instructor for any websites that can be used at home to help your child’s learning.
4. Ask about school eLearning subscriptions: Many schools are using online services to support reading and math. Schools will buy an annual subscription to a website that will provide students with their own login and password. Be sure to check to see if your school has any of those subscriptions, and if so, be sure to get your child’s log in information so they can use the resources at home.
5. Free online learning resources: In addition to websites that are used in schools, there are thousands of free resources that parents can use to support their child’s learning needs.

• Starfall.com is a great website for phonics and early reading in grades pre-k to 1st.
• For math, arcademicskillbuilders.com is a great and fun website that reviews the basic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
• For writing, readwritethink.org provides several activities and ideas to help promote student writing; the site provides different topics that will excite students and help parents come up with writing projects at home.
• Also be sure to check out portals (websites that have links to other websites) for more resources.
• Internet4classrooms.com is a popular resource for parents trying to find additional support for their children.
• For free resources, parents can also check out Educate LLC's bookmarks page.

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