The use of digital technologies to increase parent involvement: a narrative review

Abstract

In order to depict the situation of technology applications in fostering parent involvement, this studyadopts the approach of literature review by analyzing relevant publications yielded in the last ten years, with the purpose of finding answers to three research questions: (1) What digital platforms or channels are being used to facilitate parent involvement in elementary and secondary schools in a global context? (2) How using digital technologies to increase parent involvement might benefit teachers, parents, and children? (3) What challenges have been brought by the use of digital technologies in home-school collaboration? Three main findings are summarized as below. First of all, there are long-standing digital communication channels such as phone calling, text messaging and email, as well as new channels which are now prevailing in most parts of the world, such as social media and LMS. Each digital tool has its own strengths and drawbacks. The selection of technology should be based on knowledge of current conditions and parents’ needs as well as their access to technologies and digital skills.Secondly, the use of digital technologies in home-school relationship yielded many positive outcomes. It is observable that home-school communication, including parent-teacher and parent-student communication, has been improved. When digital technologies are incorporated into home-school collaboration, they also support children’s learning out of school, pose positive impact on teaching pedagogy, and even boost digital access as well as digital literacy. Lastly, technology applications also introducedsome challenges in home-school relationships. The challenges, including new issues suchas ethic problems and existing andextended problems in home-school relationships, were either brought by the technology itself, or by the process in which people use the technology. Thesechallenges are confronted by all parties in home-school relationships.
5It is meaningful to review the literature on the use of digital technologies. It will not only help to identify topics in this field that deserve further research on the theoretical level, but also allow educators to better realize the essence of these challenges and draw up policies to build a better partnership between schools and parents with the application of digital technologies.