A girl playing on a tablet/ShutterStock
Education is no longer the old-fashioned arena of a teacher explaining the material to students.
Nowadays, the traditional classroom becomes an educational learning space that becomes ever more technological and combines a wide range of capabilities, applications and learning tools adapted to all ages - from kindergarten through elementary school to students in the academy.
In order to deal correctly with the abundance of learning technologies, and to use them in a smart and informed way, assistance is sometimes required from experts who can direct, explain and guide parents in these complex issues.
As a general rule, it is recommended to start being exposed to technologies around the ages of 3-4, when children begin to develop their cognitive and motor skills.
At this stage, technologies can be used to develop basic skills, such as learning, creating, playing and socializing.
Here is a practical guide for parents that can be used by everyone to understand how to allow children to use educational technologies in a good and supervised way that will contribute to them as much as possible:
Boy with smartphone/ShutterStock
1. Create a preliminary conversation:
define clear rules regarding the use of the computer and the smartphone.
These rules should include the hours of use, the permitted and prohibited sites, and the way in which social media can be used.
Also, talk to your child about the dangers of the Internet.
Explain to them the inherent dangers of using the Internet, such as sexual harassment, fraud, and publishing personal information.
2. Mediate technology to children:
according to several studies, mediating technology to children enables quality learning, which focuses on the positive side of technology, and utilizes it in the best way.
3. Be a personal example:
Show your children how technology can be of use to them, show them examples of relevant websites and tools and teach them how to use them effectively.
4. Connect to the world of children's content:
learn about the latest trends on the web, and about their favorite programs and games, but also about their favorite learning methods and their favorite subjects at school.
5. Protect your children online:
use appropriate protection software.
These programs can help protect your child from viruses, malware, and other factors that compromise their safety.
6. Allow them to learn through technology but also to be helped by you:
the use of educational technologies may be appropriate for some children, while other children will need guidance and sitting together.
Be available to your children.
If they experience a problem online, let them feel comfortable contacting you.
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Important Information
It is important to set boundaries.
Set a limited time for the use of technologies, make sure that the child does not use them before bedtime or before other important tasks.
It is recommended to set up a parent app to route content and time
To use technologies for good for positive purposes, such as learning, creation and society.
Choice of technologies that promote thinking.
Be a role model.
Children learn from their parents, so it is important to show them how to use technology responsibly.
Limor Harari is the head of innovation at Gordon Academy
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