Every day, our society becomes more
and more dependent on technology and computers. It seems inevitable that at
some point, your child will need to learn computer skills in order to produce
homework, and ultimately, to enter the workforce. Knowing that your child will
need these skills and that most of their higher level schooling will require
computer produced documents, you will have to decide if or when to get a
computer for your child.
More and more schools are beginning
to provide computers at school. However, due to budget restraints, most schools
only have a computer lab that is a shared resource for the entire school.
Depending on your child's situation at school, the time they receive on a computer
may not be adequate to learn the skills necessary for the future.
Computer knowledge will undoubtedly
be a large part of your child's long-term future. It is this inevitability that
has resulted in schools building computer classes into their curriculum. As
mentioned above though, the time that most students actually receive on this
vital skill are likely not sufficient. Because of this situation, as well as
the dependency on the Internet for many other aspects of family life, most
households already have a home computer. However, if you have a large family,
and computer time is already at a premium, it might be time to consider getting
a separate computer for your child or children to use for school purposes.
This decision is often not taken
lightly as the expense is quite substantial and having one computer, let alone
a second machine for your child is not practical. If this is the case, and
you're concerned your child is not receiving enough computer orientation at
school, try to speak to their teacher and work out a time where your child can
use the school computer, either before or after regular school hours. As well,
many local libraries have computers available for use and are provided free of
charge. Not only is this a good option but it also a great, not to mention
quiet learning environment.
So if you do intend to get a
computer for your child, there are a few questions you should ask yourself and
a few rules you'll want to establish before jumping right in.
Where do you want the new computer
located?
You should decide where the new
computer will be setup prior to purchasing it. Do you want to be able to help
and supervise your child when on the computer? Will they need privacy and quiet
to complete homework properly? Once you've decided where the computer will be,
you'll need to ask a few other questions. For example, do you have room for a
new computer? Depending on available space in your home, you may need to
purchase a laptop instead of a desktop. As well, you may require a new desk to
house the computer on.
Will your new computer be requiring
Internet access?
If you do need internet access, will
you require a parental safety program to monitor access to certain sites? This
question should be asked in conjunction with computer location since the best
way to monitor what your child is doing is to have them in the same room as
you. It would be a good practice to discuss the dangers of the Internet with
your child as well to make sure they understand the concerns you have and the
threats the Internet can pose. Also, you'll need to determine how you plan to
connect the computer to the Internet and whether the room you choose is wired
to accommodate this. If not, you will need to ensure the computer is wireless
compatible.
Be sure to set time constraints
Discuss average homework
expectations and time requirements for assignments with your child's teacher.
You can base your time limitations loosely on this number. There are a number
of other things on the computer that can occupy your child's time such as games,
social networking sites, and instant messaging. Once your child has completed
their necessary computer time, you can allow them some flex time but be sure to
enforce this time limit. If the computer was purchased for school needs, make
sure that your child understands that. Any other use is a reward, not a right.
Also, by enforcing these rules, you can encourage your child to pick up a book
and read, or get together with friends at the park for some exercise.
Determine your family's computer
requirements
Before purchasing your new computer,
discuss what specific needs you and your children will have for it. For
example, if your children will be using the computer primarily for school
purposes, you will need a writing program of some sort. Older children may need
software to create presentations or artwork, requiring you to purchase more
full-featured software programs relevant to your child's needs.
In all likelihood, your child will
require a computer during their school years. With this information, not only
will you be able to determine the best way to go about selecting a proper
computer to fit your needs but you'll also be able to determine the best way to
monitor online safety and maximize family time well ensuring that your child
develops the computer skills they will require for the future.