Computer Curriculum Corporation Offers Tips for Educating Tech Savvy Kids

Posted on April 15, 1998

Computer Curriculum Corporation (CCC) has released a set of general recommendations for parents and teachers involved in supervising or educating children in the use of technology. CCC, a provider of educational software and services to K-12 schools and a unit of Simon & Schuster, compiled the tips in association with an expert from the National Education Association and a leading Internet author. The tips were designed as a simple tool to help computer users increase the educational value of their technology investments.

10 Tips for Educating "Techno-Savvy" Kids

1. Agree On The Rules Of The Road: Collaborate with the kids to create guidelines about proper use of the Web with a learning focus. This increases the likelihood youthful "Netizens" will gain knowledge from the Web without surfing aimlessly.

2. Mind Your Manners: When you visit a new place, whether it's another community or cyberspace, there are certain local customs you want to respect. "Netiquette" is very important.

3. Consult The Yellow Pages: Numerous experts have created time-saving sites that serve as Internet yellow pages for education. Connect to one of the Internet's search engines and try a keyword search, such as "K-12 curriculum."

4. When In Doubt, Bookmark: Bookmarks are handy shortcuts for navigating to online destinations without having to type in the Web's sometimes long and arcane addresses. Build a list of favorite bookmarks with your kids. If the list is substantial and the sites engaging, children probably won't choose to wander -- they'll be too busy learning and having fun.

5. Become An Internet-Savvy Adult: Teachers can find specific browser instruction as well as techniques for teaching with the Web at Edscape's site. Parents can practice through sites like "Walking the Web: a Short Course in Getting Around."

6. Explore Together: Make the Internet the centerpiece at your next class discussion or family dinner. The Web is an excellent exploration resource to share. Some cyber-trips might form the basis for field trips--from animated dinosaurs on the computer to real dinosaur fossils in the museum.

7. Get The Kids To Teach Each Other: A Web-savvy kid can be the guide for another student or a younger child. Nothing reinforces learning better than teaching someone else and it builds confidence.

8. Use The Web To Stay Connected: Use email to grandparents, pen pals and others to share what's happening in the classroom or at home.

9. Travel Safely: After you've surfed together, the kids will want to explore on their own and you'll want to ensure they stay in a safe and appropriate cyber-neighborhood.

10. Finding The Best Of The Web: To keep the kids engaged, try visiting popular Net landmarks such as Socks' special tour of the White House. For science at its slimiest, try dissecting a cow's eye (among other delights) at the San Francisco Exploratorium website, exploratorium.edu.

Experts contributing to these recommendations include Jean Armour Polly, Net-mom and author of The Internet Kids & Family Yellow Pages, 2nd edition (Osborne McGraw-Hill 1997); and B.J. Yentzer, director, Center for Education Technology for the National Education Association.