South Gloucestershire ICT Information Update » Parents

Update on Know IT All for Parents resource (see previous entry for more information)

ictteam — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 11:25:22 +0000

The Know IT All for Parents resource which Childnet launched last month (see http://www.childnet-int.org/kia) has had a phenomenal take-up with over 212,000 copies ordered from schools (of which 196,345 have now been dispatched). In addition to this Childnet have agreed with PC WORLD that they will make a further 200,000 copies available free to the public through their stores from July onwards. With over 400,000 of the initial 1 million stock already distributed, it’s important that all schools are aware of this resource and can order their free bulk quantities, especially those schools who can benefit from the non-English language sections on the KIA resource (summary information is in 9 languages including Arabic, Mandarin, Punjabi, Bengali, Urdu, Polish, BSL and Gujarati). A wider communications drive begins this month with adverts in the TES and elsewhere and a special promotional advert is available from http://www.childnet-int.org/kia/about/promote.aspx

DirectGov survey on the future of the internet

ictteam — Fri, 15 Jun 2007 08:01:59 +0000

Interesting findings from a national survey commissioned by DirectGov that came out recently. They questioned parents, teenagers, over 50s, motorists and disabled people in order to ascertain what services they would like to see provided online. Overall, the top five answers were:

‘No show’ truancy alert if child doesn’t arrive at school (wanted by parents)
Taking a virtual tour of colleges or universities (14-18 year olds)
Guide to local services for older people (over 50s)
Renew car tax online (motorists)
Personalised journey planners mapped by accessibility (disabled people).

The top five preferences for parents were:

1. Immediate online alert if child hasn’t turned up at registration
2. View my child’s school disciplinary record online
3. Have a say in the running of my child’s school e.g. online PTA meetings
4. Track my child’s journey to or from school
5. Have a webcam in my child’s classroom.

The top five for teenagers are:
1. Take a virtual tour of colleges or universities
2. Have virtual driving lessons
3. Earn money through using your skills online
4. Have job interviews
5. Have school lessons / tutorials.

For more on the survey, see http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_068423

Does this have implications for what we should be doing in schools for our young people and parents?

Know It All

ictteam — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 09:56:09 +0000

Schools can order bulk copies of a new resource from Childnet International to help parents promote positive and safe Internet use. ‘Know IT All‘, an interactive CD-Rom commissioned by the DfES, will be available to all maintained schools in England to order in bulk quantity for parents free of charge.

“A key aim of the CD-Rom is to encourage parents to have a dialogue with their children about the internet and there is special material produced by and for young people, and a special Activity Centre with quizzes and games that parents and children can play together. A summary of the advice on the CD-Rom has been translated into Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Mandarin, Punjabi, Urdu and British Sign Language and is presented in the latest multi-media video.”

http://tinyurl.com/28fdfd or http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=spectrum&ProductId=DFES-00308-2007& ;

A related CD ROM – Know IT All for Schools, was published in 2005, and is still available from:

http://tinyurl.com/24dr9b or

http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=productdetails&PageMode=spectrum&ProductId=KIA-SCHOOLS&