Technology for Family Engagement in Early

Learning Settings

With: Sheetal Singh, Early Learning Lab

Elena Lopez, Harvard Family Research Project

Sandra Gutierrez, Abriendo Puertas / Opening Doors

Rebecca Parlakian, ZERO TO THREE

March 16, 2016

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Presenters

Assisting with chat: Becky Wiegand, TechSoup

Sheetal SinghDirector, Design and Innovation,

EARLY LEARNING LAB

Sandra Gutierrez,Founder and National Director,

Abriendo Puertas/Opening Door

Elena Lopez, Associate Director, Harvard

Family Research Project

Rebecca Parlakian, Director of Parenting Resources,

ZERO TO THREE

Susan Hope BardOnline Training Producer,

TechSoup

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Objectives

1. Share the latest research on the technology habits

of millennial parents

2. Discuss a framework to guide program providers in

using technology with modern families

3. Highlight lessons learned from families' use of

technology with young children

6

About TechSoup

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The Need Is Global – And So Are We

TechSoup’s mission is to build a dynamic bridge that enables civil society

organizations and social change agents around the world to gain effective access to

the resources they need to design and implement solutions for a more equitable

planet.

Countries Served TechSoup Partner Location NetSquared Local Group

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www.TechSoup.Global

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Our Impact

Together, we build a stronger, more resilient civil society.

$5.2Bin technology products

and grants employed

by NGOs for the

greater good

35languages used to

provide education

and support

100+corporate and

foundation partners

connected with the

causes and

communities they

care about

6.2M

annual visits to

our websites

600,000newsletter

subscribers

empowered with

actionable

knowledge

79%of NGOs have improved

organizational efficiency

with TechSoup Global's

resource offering*

*Source: survey conducted among TechSoup members in 2013

All children deserve the chance to grow, learn, and fulfill

their potential to be creative thinkers and doers. Yet too

many young children aren’t exposed to the engaging and

enriching experiences they need from birth to age five that

help them thrive and learn. The only way to close this

opportunity gap is to invest in the adults that care for them.

10

What We Do

The Early Learning Lab supports the

early childhood education field by

identifying, developing and catalyzing

the use of innovative tools, program

design, and technologies to foster

great caregiving and teaching of

children from birth to age five. Our

vision is to drive smart practices,

solutions and systems to amplify early

childhood learning.

11

• Supply: Work with technologists to ensure products are research-

based and meet the needs of the field; define and test high-value

technology design elements.

• Demand: Help program implementers and families understand the

range of tools available and make smart decisions on what to use.

• Capacity Building: Guide the field in understanding how to

meaningfully and effectively integrate technology into programs.

12

Accelerating the use of innovative

technologies requires operating at three levels:

Early Learning Technology Design

Elements• Builds parent/teacher self-

efficacy

• Builds parent/teacher social

capital

• Puts data into the hands of

the users and uses data to

inspire improvement

• Personalized for greater

efficacy

• Accommodates and

promotes diversity

13

Polling Question

Which of the following do you use to communicate with families:

– Texting

– Email

– Social media

– Blogging

– Video sharing

– Photo sharing

– Apps

Wired: Digital Media in Family Engagement

M. Elena LopezAssociate Director

Harvard Family Research Project

Comienza en Casa

Program for migrant families in Milbridge, ME

http://s3.amazonaws.com/stories.shadowpuppet.co/C25A7C2A-CE62-46E7-9016-1C01A641F9E7/story.mp4

Just Say No

Random Acts

Office of Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework

Program Foundations

Supporting

Connecting

Creating

Pathways

Leadership

Professional Development

Assessment & Improvement

Office of Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework

Practices: Everyone is a Learner

PROGRAM ENVIRONMENT TEACHING & LEARNING

FAMILY PARTNERSHIP COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Office of Head Start Parent, Family, and Community Engagement Framework

Comienza en Casa

Program for migrant families in Milbridge, ME

Points to Remember

• Avoid random acts

• Be intentional

• Create strong foundations

• Know and understand families

• Encourage families to be wiseconsumers and avid creators

• Assess, improve, and innovate

M. Elena Lopezelena_lopez@gse.harvard.edu

Resources

FINE Newsletter:

www.hfrp.org/FINEnewsletter

Share your ideas: @HFRP

www.twitter.com/hfrp

Mailing list:

www.hfrp.org/subscribe

Website:

www.hfrp.org

Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors

The AP Mobile AppDevelopment Process

Desarrollando un Futuro Mejor

a través del Liderazgo de los Padres

Building a Better Future

Through Parent Leadership

Why an Abriendo Puertas (AP) App?

• Latinos have the highest rate (71%)of Smartphone usage in the

U.S.

• Latinos tend to be “Smartphone dependent” for internet use.

• AP partnerships with:

– Vroom http://www.joinvroom.org/

– Common Sense Media https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Challenge: How to extend AP’s reach and impact with maximum effectiveness.

Solution: Develop a free, bilingual Smartphone App that aims to improve the quality of life and future opportunities for parents and children.

Parent Input

Parent perception and concerns• Deep concern about their children’s use of technology • Another language they don’t speak• Very familiar with Facebook and WhatsApp – 80% reported daily use• “Quien adelante no mira, atrás se queda.”

“If you don’t look forward, you stay behind”

Parent input• Recommend the app be easy, useful, fun and enjoyable• Mi familia – cradle to college

Top 5 recommendations regarding content1. Stress2. Bullying3. Dual Language Learner – bilingual4. Literacy5. Advocacy

Communication and Collaboration

Reaching a common understanding

• Tech and family engagement speak different languages

Rebooted assumptions and expectations

• Functional limitations

• Expertise matters

• Working in stages

• Staying true to AP values – welcoming environment

What’s Next?

Mil gracias!

www.ap-od.org

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