Workshop equips parents with know-how on good digital citizenship
dubai — In the 21st century, the use of technology and being online are a way of life. That is why being good digital citizens and coaching students to model good digital citizenship and safe online behaviour get greater importance.
In a first-of-its-kind training, about 300 parents have become Microsoft champions as a Dubai school started computer workshops for parents. While 150 parents did the course online, another 300 came to the school premises to commence the introductory course titled Digital Citizenship.
The workshop for parents at The Kindergarten Starters (KGS) aimed at giving them an opportunity to learn what are copyright, digital footprint and information literacy, and how to protect children online. At the end of the programme, parents registered for Microsoft Educator Community and completed the course.
Bhawna Sajnani, chief digital and innovation officer at KGS, said: “This was a 30-minute course and by completing this, parents learnt how Microsoft technology can help teach their ward to stay safe inside and outside the classroom. It will help them teach their ward about both the benefits and risks of the online world and help students stay safer. Lastly, they themselves will become a confident “Digital Citizenship Champion” in their community. We started with this as an introductory course and as their understanding increases, they can do as many courses as they want.”
A strong supporter of technology, Asha Alexander, KGS principal, said: “Change and technology are growing exponentially and not keeping pace with them is detrimental for us. In a country which is so progressive with the leaders here promoting technology and we are poised on the brink of Expo 2020, we have to make sure our kids keep pace with that. With that intent I am hoping that by the end of this term, all parents would have completed this digital citizenship course in the interest of our children. We intend doing this at least once a month.”
“We have been using technology in the school for the last six years and it is time we also involve parents in this process so that they remove that fear of misuse of technology from their mind. Through these computer courses for parents, we are equipping them to become Microsoft champions and become a computer equipped community,” she added.
Parents-speak
Housewife Mamta Sharma, whose son is in KG1, said: “This digital citizenship session was an eye opener. I have always been fond of computers but never really got a chance to understand its terminology. But now, since my son is also fond of iPad and uses it sometimes, I’ve always wanted to guide him and see what he is doing online. This course has introduced me to the world of computers and I intend pursuing some more courses now to keep up with the latest and also to keep a tab on my son.”
Another parent and paediatrician Abdul Majeed said: “One of the common complaints I hear from parents is that kids are addicted to computers. When I give these gadgets with Internet to my kids, I feel I am giving them a time bomb as it can explode anytime because it is a lot of information they are being exposed to, which we cannot monitor all the time. The only way to handle this situation is to educate our children about the dos and don’ts of Internet and that can be done when we parents are educated on the same. This is what the school has initiated today. I feel more confident now in giving these gadgets to my kids in a smartly deactivated manner.”