…with your child’s computer education?
- Show your child how to do something rather than allowing him to discover
- Do for them rather than let them do it
- Say ‘no’ too often (or the other enthusiasm-killer, Don’t touch!)
- Don’t take them seriously
- Take technology too seriously. It’s a tool, meant to make life easier. Nothing more.
- Underestimate their abilities
- Over-estimate their abilities
- Give up too quickly
- Think there’s only one way to do stuff on the computer
I promise–none of these are necessary for your children, your students, to thrive in technology. They love learning. They can’t break most computer parts. They want to try things out and then do it themselves. Let them. They may discover the Better Mousetrap. After fifteen years, I am still learning from my students. Every year, it’s something new (which I often share with you under the Tuesday Tips).
Children are serious about having fun. It’s one of their jobs. Technology is how they do this. Feel free to join them now and then. You’ll be surprised at how much then know. But, sometimes, they need help. Offer it with a guiding hand.
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.
