Resources for early educators
Checklists for apps and platforms in early education
Digital Child checklists for use of apps and platforms in Early Childhood Education Centres
Overview of the Checklists
Many digital apps and platforms that are used in children’s education have an array of hidden consequences that are not typically considered during the procurement process. Aside from any educational or administrative benefit apps and platforms might have, there are other issues to consider, including: data privacy; educator workload; and interpersonal relationships.
The Digital Child’s easy-to-use checklist will help staff working in Early Childhood Centres (ECCs) to assess the consequences of using digital apps and platforms.
There are three checklists that can be downloaded and used, including:
- Data privacy – this checklist will help ECCs think about how tech companies treat and use personal data, including tips and resources to protect and manage the data that is collected by the apps and platforms used.
- Educator workload – this checklist will help ECCs to make informed decisions about the potential impacts of apps and platforms on educator workloads.
- Interpersonal relationships – this checklist will help ECCs shape their use of apps and digital communications to enhance interpersonal relationships and minimise unintended impacts.
How to use the checklists
We recommend that the checklists are also used as prompts for discussion and learning with all staff at the centre. Each checklist has an information poster and checklist that can displayed in the centre to inform and remind families about these issues.
Please get in contact with the Digital Child to request a set of posters or if you have any further questions about the checklists and how to use them.
