So you are updating your practice and running a classroom that more mimics the world we live in today. Kids are engaged in every day activities and you are proud of your evolving pedagogy. And then it happens, a parent storms into your classroom ready to knock you off your perch that you so proudly are sitting on as you finally updated your curriculum. We all have them. Parents, who for one reason or another, are against their child using technology in the classroom. So what can you possibly say to them to change their pre-conceived, possibly archaic, notion of what education should look like?
I run a twenty-first century classroom. The kids in my class use a lot of different platforms, and yes a lot are online. Over the years I have had my fair share of parents questioning my integrity and use of the digital world. But after collaborating with them on what is best for their child we both almost always leave satisfied. Here is how I do it.
I sit down with them and have grade objectives in front of me. Together we go through short and long-term goals for their child using the Understanding By Design (UBD) backwards design framework. I then ask these three questions…
What this method accomplishes is that by the time we finish answering question three they start seeing the benefits of technology in the classroom. Technology is a tool that enhances the learning process. And after the parents see the benefits of their child using online tools, you should be able to climb atop that perch once again.
Hope this helps!
@rondorland
I run a twenty-first century classroom. The kids in my class use a lot of different platforms, and yes a lot are online. Over the years I have had my fair share of parents questioning my integrity and use of the digital world. But after collaborating with them on what is best for their child we both almost always leave satisfied. Here is how I do it.
I sit down with them and have grade objectives in front of me. Together we go through short and long-term goals for their child using the Understanding By Design (UBD) backwards design framework. I then ask these three questions…
- At the end of the year what do you want your child to know? (Refer to objectives but also discuss social emotional)
- How together can we create structures that would support your child reaching those goals?
- Then what tools do you think is best to accomplish this?
What this method accomplishes is that by the time we finish answering question three they start seeing the benefits of technology in the classroom. Technology is a tool that enhances the learning process. And after the parents see the benefits of their child using online tools, you should be able to climb atop that perch once again.
Hope this helps!
@rondorland
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