Raising computer-savvy children is complicated, whether you are a geek or a luddite. If you don’t pay attention, they teach themselves and not always the right way. Guiding kids through foundational steps and then building on them so students enjoy using technology for more than games and simulations is the goal. We as teachers and parents want them to value tech as a tool that enables them to dig into raw data (not someone’s interpretation of it), get answers to questions when they pop into mind, and make everyday tasks easier (not waste time).
Our Ask a Tech Teacher crew has some great ideas for you in this next article:
How to Raise a Computer-Savvy Generation
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Being computer savvy in today’s world governed by technology is one of the most important things for parents to instill in their children. This is because the use of technology is important for personal growth and professional success.
Today’s generation is born into a world where everything revolves around technology. Fortunately, the modern generation is in love with it, meaning that parents do not have a hard time raising computer-savvy children.
As a parent, do you know what you should do to raise a computer-savvy child? Most parents did not grow up with the kind of technology that we have today, something that makes it a little bit difficult for them. Here is a guideline to follow;
Teach Children How To Code
Most parents are probably asking how to go about this when they cannot code themselves. Well, you do not have to know how to code to teach your children how to do it. Computer programming for children is growing in popularity every single day.
This is because people are relying on technology to run their day-to-day operations. Parents interested in raising a computer-savvy generation can, therefore, start by encouraging their children to learn how to code.
Children who learn how to code at an early age have high chances of succeeding in life. In addition, they find it easy to take courses such as Bachelor of Science in Computer Science later in life, which is vital for those who want a successful career in technology.
A computer-savvy generation can help in the critical evaluation of problems. In addition, they can look at alternative options and create innovative solutions to simplify processes and make things better.
Set Rules To Keep Them Under Control
Sometimes, we need to unplug to recharge ourselves and feel better. Setting rules for your computer-savvy child does not mean following strict guidelines but finding a routine that favors your family.
For instance, you can set aside a certain amount of time every day when your children are supposed to engage in a certain activity or maybe not use certain devices such as computers. You do not want your child to suffer from computer-related injuries due to long computer usage.
At the end of the day, setting guidelines for your children is going to help them in the long run. They will understand that they need to be disciplined and follow regulations, something that can stick with them even when they are adults.
Get Involved With Your Children
When most modern parents were growing up, they saw how their parents were involved in their lives and made sure that they knew everything about friends, classmates, teachers, or even play-mates. This should not be abandoned especially when raising computer-savvy children.
For instance, if your child is spending a lot of time on their phone or computer, a luxury that you might not have had, then make sure that you know what they are doing. Check the people they talk to, applications they have installed, or even the games that they play.
Some parents might find this wrong, but a computer-savvy child can access many things that might end up misleading them.
You can start by spending time with them, participating in the things that they do online, and then asking them from time to time about what they do on their phone or computer.
This is one way of getting involved in their activities and letting them know when something is wrong.
Encourage Digital Activities
The modern generation depends on technology for almost all their tasks. Children learn how to use computers at a very early age.
They use the internet to master codes, learn new languages, and come up with creative solutions for their problems.
As a parent raising a computer-savvy child, you do not want to discourage your child from exploring the things they can do with technology. In addition, you should encourage them to work with other children when exploring what technology offers.
This means that parents should encourage their children to engage in digital activities such as after-school tech club activities. If your child is interested in a technical competition, for instance, encourage them by assisting and providing them with everything they need.
You can also come up with digital activities that you can engage in as a family. This will help draw your children more into technology instead of pushing them away.
Conclusion
Technology advancement has changed almost every other industry. Even though things are getting better, most industries are still very young and a lot of Computer Science research is required.
This shows that there is a lot of work ahead for the modern computer-savvy generation. Parents can use this guide to raise their children and help them tap into the technology industry later in life as professionals.
Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, webmaster for four blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.
There is so much to learn about computer. My son is a computer scientist. Both his children use tech in most of their lessons at school.
It’s a great way to level the playing field, provide equity, once kids understand it. I am surprised adopting tech has been so complicated.
I agree. I always say I was born too soon. I would have loved to be more involved with tech when I was in the classroom. I was involved with one of the earlier trials/studies in the mid-80s and had two computers in the classroom. Twenty years later, we still had only 4 computers in the classroom but at least we got to visit the lab with one computer per child each week (or was it every second week – I’m not sure now). Still, not nearly enough. Now I think many children use their iPads in most lessons.
How fun for you–in the ’80’s. That took courage on your part. Most schools are 1:1 now, iPads or Chromebooks, but that doesn’t mean anyone knows how to efficiently use tech!
It was fun for me in the 80s. I was lucky to be involved in the study. I was the only one in my school and there probably weren’t too many anywhere else. It was certainly an early trial.