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azrael writes:

Findings from research conducted for UK retailer John Lewis suggest parents recognise the benefits of using technology in the classroom, but struggle to understand the devices themselves.

John Lewis ... held technology clinics with parents and teachers to bridge the digital divide between the younger generation who have grown up with smartphones and tablets, and those who didn't.

41% of parents admitted that they did not fully understand how technology is used in the classroom, but 69% said they felt their children's progress at school had improved thanks to technology.

Drew Buddie, senior vice chairman at Naace, the association for the UK's education technology community said: "The use of mobile digital technologies in the classroom might be largely unfamiliar to parents, but the benefits can be huge.

Matt Leeser, head of buying for communications technology at John Lewis said: "The classroom of 2014 provides students with a very different experience to when I was at school. Whether it's studying maths using a tablet app or streaming videos to research a new assignment, innovative technology is giving pupils more interactive and engaging lessons that foster both independent and collaborative learning. The research shows that parents understand the benefits, but can struggle to relate to an experience that's so different from their own school days. They don't always know which products will be best, or where they can turn for advice."

Unsurprisingly Matt Leeser goes on to suggest that parents should visit John Lewis for advice. Other than pander to parental fears about doing their children harm, the findings of this research are probably a no-brainer to many here. Does the SN parental community have any advice on how to support their children in the use of new technologies in education?