Due to the pandemic the integration of technology has become a serious topic among educators. Though it was a topic prior, nothing quite pushed it to the limits as the past year. States were to decide how to conduct school so that our scholars did not fall behind educationally. Due to the advancements of technology, school was made possible. Though virtual school was an option here in the state of Florida, it was not an option many thought of before the pandemic. Even with schools getting back to face to face, moving away from virtual school, it is important for districts/schools to think of impact technology had on their students.
This should open the doors to so much more in the name of education. Now schools are using technology in new ways and discovering new ways to connect the community. In the past, parts of the community were disconnected because they could not come into the school. However, due to the push for virtual leaning this changed, and it opened the door to new ways of communication with schools and their community.
In an article by McKittrick and Bateman, they quoted an occupational teacher who found more engagement in virtual leaning by saying “Once the session is done the mom would stay on and say, ‘All right, show me that again. How did you do that?’ So, there is a huge increase in parent partnership in a very meaningful way that had never existed. And for me that is by far the greatest joy that has come out of this. It’s been beautiful.” Virtual schooling has not just continued education for students but has now engaged families in the learning process of their students in a different way. As a parent, as a leader of the school, as a teacher, or a student, this exact scenario is why technology has been such a blessing to the education system. Schools should continue to use virtual meetings with families, even as the face to face schools comes back. This is just another way to show families that their time and efforts are appreciated. It will show that schools are flexible and eager to have family engagement.
However, not all stories of technology are like the one discussed above. There a few reasons why technology can fail, and it is up to the school, leadership, and teachers to ensure the success of any technology they choose to use with their community. One reason is that families need support on how to access and use the technology pushed out to them. A school can not just assume that all families have knowledge on the program you were trained on how to use. Another reason is not all families have the same connection ability as others. Some families do not have internet in the home, a computer, or cell phone that is readily available to use, as they may not be able to afford to the always pay the bill.
Although there is for technology, districts and schools need to think of how best to meet the needs of everyone. There is not a one size fits all when it comes to schooling and communication with families in education. Schools have reported an increase in parent-teacher conferences due to virtual but not all families are able to access the means to be virtual. Schools will need to continue to have face to face meetings. Face to face meetings for some families are just as meaningful as virtual meetings for other families. It is important that schools use technology the same way they teach, with diversity. Schools should continue to empower parents with different options and technology. This will only happen if schools continue to learn and grow themselves.
References
McKittrick, & Bateman. (2021, May 11). Technology to the rescue: How technology helped connect teachers and parents of students with disabilities through remote learning. Technology to the rescue: How technology helped connect teachers and parents of students with disabilities through remote learning | Center on Reinventing Public Education. https://www.crpe.org/thelens/technology-rescue-how-technology-helped-connect-teachers-and-parents-students-disabilities.