Posted in cultural changes, digital learning, digital parenting, parent education, parents and technology, writing for the web

Why I Blog for Media Tech Parenting

Made at Wordle.com.

Over a year ago I started this blog, MediaTechParenting.net. My aim was and is to organize, connect, and share resources on media, technology, and digital parenting — information that I encounter every day.

Over the course of a school year I often chat with adults about their digital kids. Most parents are enthusiastic, perhaps even astounded about the digital changes that occur every day in their lives. Yet, they also admit to feeling confused, worried, and even a bit befuddled. Often I find parents reflecting on how committed parents — who understand the importance of these digital changes — are supposed to keep track of the constantly changing digital landscape?

As a 22 year veteran in the educational technology world, I like to sift through articles, seek out references and discover resources that can help people — especially the parents of my students — understand more about the digital world. I read articles, watch videos, listen to stories, and keep an eye out for interesting research. It makes sense to share them on a blog. When I think about a post, I ask the question, “If I were a parent of a digital kid, what might I want to learn about?”

Continue reading “Why I Blog for Media Tech Parenting”

Posted in Bookmark It!, digital parenting, resources to read, social media, web research

Keeping Track During a Disaster — A Helpful Kind of Tracking: Bookmark It!

Nixle helps to aggregate data sources during a disaster.

If you haven’t had enough of hurricane Irene, PC Magazine just published 10 Mobile Apps for Tracking Hurricane Irene. Some are free and others are downloadable for a small charge.

Applications come from government agencies like NOAA, but there are also some that are more survival oriented. One helps users develop and share a disaster plan.

Nixle, the application on the left, allows a user to set up connections with data sources so the information comes to you. Every app is not available for every mobile platform.

Check out the PC Magazine presentation, featuring something for every type of disaster tracking personality.

Posted in Back-to-school digital reading, digital parenting, laptops and notebooks, parents and technology

Choosing a New Laptop? Back-to-School 2011 Digital Reading #3

Check out the Techlicious website to read Picking the Best Back-to-School Laptop, a post by Suzanne Kantra.

Important Factors for Parents and Kids to Keep in Mind

  • Weight
  • Enough memory to complete the required tasks — think about what your child will be doing
  • Processing speed
  • Attractiveness and/or design (a big deal for some kids)
  • Security at school if it a laptop travels back and forth between home and school
Other Links to Help You Learn about Purchasing a Laptop Computer
Posted in digital learning, digital parenting, parents and technology, teaching

The Virginia Earthquake: Oh How I Love Teaching and Technology

My upstairs hallway

Yesterday in the District of Columbia (my school) and Virginia (my home), we had an earthquake, the largest quake in our area in 70 years. At school things rumbled and doors slammed, so most of the adults, who were preparing for the start of the school year, headed outside for a bit. At my house I returned to find pictures askew. A few things fell on the floor at home, but my neighbor checked on the house and picked them up before I arrived.

But here’s an interesting observation. On a day in August, when teachers like me are getting ready for the start of school — and bemoaning the end of summer just a bit — I found myself wishing the students were already back in school, because I know how special “the day after” can be for young learners and for me, too. Continue reading “The Virginia Earthquake: Oh How I Love Teaching and Technology”

Posted in parents and technology

Cool TechTips from David Pogue

I’ve been carrying this May 18, 2011 article, The Ins and Outs of Using Gadgetry by New York Times tech guru, David Pogue, for three months. Actually, it’s worth carrying around so you can pull it out and get a few quick, and very helpful tips for whatever gadget you happen to be using.

Click to watch Pogue's 2006 TED Lecture.

Here are a few examples:

  • Skipping all of those irritating introductory messages on cell phones
  • Ensuring your digital camera focuses
  • Highlighting the address bar in your browser without taking time to grab the mouse
  • Using a few quick edit tips when you are writing
  • … and much more

I’ll admit to being a bit of a Pogue groupie. He always seems to have the answers, and if he doesn’t, he calls around (or messes around with the gadgets) until he does.

A Few David Pogue Links Continue reading “Cool TechTips from David Pogue”

Posted in cell phones, digital parenting, online safety, online security

Clear Explanation About Cell Phone Hacking

Think seriously about securing the cell phones in your family. Over at NetFamilyNews Ann Collier has written a clear explanation of hacking and spoofing (and some links, too).

If you find you are glued to the news from Great Britain’s News Corp scandal, but still a bit fuzzy about how to implement better security on your own mobile phones, please read Collier’s post.

Continue reading “Clear Explanation About Cell Phone Hacking”

Posted in parents and technology

10 Safe(r) Social Networking Sites for Younger Kids

Over at KQED News, Linton Weeks wrote a July 11, 2011 article describing the need and desire of younger children to participate in social network activities (despite the expressed doubts of many parents). In his article, 10 Safe Social Networking Sites for Younger Kids, he lists ten kid-friendly social networking sites along with editorial comments on topics such as privacy and parent administration options.

If I were writing the headline, I would use the word “safer.” Why safer?  Continue reading “10 Safe(r) Social Networking Sites for Younger Kids”