Vendors educate parents on technology

Click - A Technlology Guide for Parents developed by the NSW Department of Education and Training deals with understanding new technologies.

It informs them about how to keep their children safe while online, how to identify risks and ways to take action.

The guide will be sent via hard copy to all families of public school students.

Those involved with the project include Grant Cleary, HP Australia marketing director (Personal Systems Group) and Neil Jackson, Microsoft Australia education director.

Also, Justin Milne, Telstra Big Pond's group managing director, Dr Martyn Wild, cyber-safety expert and Tim Gorrod, 2007 Microsoft Innovative Teacher of the Year.

“The ability to understand and use IT effectively is critical for a student's education and future career,” said Cleary, HP Australia.

"Click will help mums and dads, who may not know their Flickr from their Facebook, to better understand what their children currently use and what they need to achieve the best possible educational outcomes,” he added.

According to Milne, Telstra Big Pond, adults need to understand how children use technology every day, from mobile phones and laptops to MP3 players.

“Click will help many parents get off the sidelines and onto the playing field when it comes to their children’s online lives,” said Jackson, Microsoft Australia

Launching the guide, Education Department director-general, Michael Coutts-Trotter said students are picking up and using information technology as if it’s second nature but they still need to feel they can ask their parents for advice.

“Wwe 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 texting,” he said.

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