DET launches technology guide for parents

This week, parents of students in NSW public schools will start receiving Click -– the NSW Government’s ‘Technology Guide for Parents’.

Designed by the Department of Education and Training, the guide aims to teach parents about technology at school and home that their children might encounter. It looks at issues such as cyberbullying, gaming, virtual worlds, mobile phones, buying a computer and homework help.

It also contains definitions of things like blogs, filters, instant messaging, RSS feeds and social networking sites.

“Our students are picking up and using information technology as if it’s second nature,” said Michael Coutts-Trotter, Education Department Director-General.

“However they still need to feel that they can ask their parents for advice or have a chat about things and feel that we know what they’re talking about.

“The Technology Guide will help with that – we live in the digital age, and it’s vital that parents take an interest in their children’s use of the internet, computer games, chat rooms and blogs, as well as emails and mobile phone text messaging.

“It’s also imperative that parents know what to encourage and what to safeguard against.”

Click is part of the NSW Government’s technology plan. Over the next four years, the NSW Government plans to spend more than $770 million providing information technology in public schools and TAFE colleges.

In the past two years, DET has installed 36,000 new computers in NSW public schools.

Click is available online at the Department of Education and Training website.