Solving Potential Problems with Mobile Applications

One really great application I found was SitOrSquat which is not only a website (http://www.sitorsquat.com/sitorsquat/), but it also has what the site calls “portable ways to find a potty.” The application can be downloaded easily (and for free) on the iPhone and the iPod touch, and it can also be used with other phones by texting the word “sitorsquat” to DOTCOM (386266) and following the instructions that come via text. This application is really useful for families when they’re traveling, or just going on a day trip. Instead of having to sit through question after question from complaining children who just really need to use the restroom, parents can quickly find all of the nearest locations with a bathroom. I used the application online to see where I could go if I was walking down my street, and it referred me to the local shopping mall, as well as a Starbucks coffee shop down the road. This application is very useful and very easy to use!

Another useful application for families is iTriage. This application is especially great for that mother who always thinks there’s something wrong with her children in terms of sickness like the flu! This application is free and can be downloaded on the iPhone, the iPod Touch, the iPad, and Android phones as well. You can also access all of the resources online at http://www.itriagehealth.com/. The application is meant to be used for the instances when a child suddenly develops a pain or a symptom, and you can pull out your mobile device, and pinpoint the symptoms, and then once you do that, you can find the “best medical facility to provide treatment” (Lane). You can do things like call 911, find medical treatment, find a doctor, look up your symptoms, research those possible illnesses once you've pinpointed your symptoms, learn about medical procedures, and more.

One of my favorites of the applications I found related to family life was Postman which is an application that you can purchase from iTunes for $2.99 for the iPhone, iPod Touch, and the iPad. This application is really meaningful and something that I would definitely use when I was away from my family. Postman is an application where you can “create and send virtual postcards using your (or your kids’) photos” (Top Family Mobile Apps). This is really a great opportunity for me, as I’m a 6 hour drive from my family. I only go home 2-3 times a year, so when I do go home, the little ones have grown SO much, and though I do see updates on Facebook, it would be awesome to get a postcard, or even send one to convey the message of thinking of each other. You can edit photos, and add words to add the "postcard" feel to the pictures, as well as posting the photos to social networking sites like Twitte, Facebook, Tumblr, as well as emailing them and more.

One final application I found that will be great for mothers in the DC area is Mom Maps for the typical Apple products. The support for the DC area is doubled, so it’ll work great in this area in particular. This application is for mothers who want to find kid-friendly locations in the area. One great thing about this application is that it’s free! The newest version of the application “implements a cleaner way of adding spots that includes pictures and has added [advertisements]” (Mom Maps). You can look up parks, restaurants, playground, and more! It makes it really easy for parents to find places to take their children when their out and about, or just want to plan a quick day activity or outing.


(All photos from the following websites).
ITriage Symptom Checker Free Medical App for Android, IPhone, BlackBerry, & Palm. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. .

Lane, Shannon H. "Best Mobile Apps for Family Holiday Travel." Hotels, Travel Deals, Family Vacations, and All Things Travel by Traveling Mamas. Web. 15 Nov. 2010. .

"Mom Maps." ITunes Preview. Apple Inc. Web. 16 Nov. 2010.

"Postman." ITunes Preview. Apple Inc. Web. 16 Nov. 2010. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/postman/id320009042?mt=8

"SitOrSquat.com: Find a Toilet or Restroom Anywhere in the World." Web. 15 Nov. 2010. http://www.sitorsquat.com/sitorsquat/.

"Top Family Mobile Apps." Travel and Leisure Magazine, Mar. 2010. Web. .

Research about Mobile Technology and Family

In October 2010, research from the Harvard Family Research Project was published in the FINE (Family Involvement Network of Educators) newsletter. This research was regarding the idea of engaging families in student success through the means of internet and wireless technologies. The Harvard Family Research identified a few technological innovations which include: “positive parent-child interactions, home-school communication, and parent responsibility for a child’s learning” (Logged In).

They also acknowledged that the presence of the digital divide, which is the idea that there is a gap between people with access to digital technology and those without. Though now the term has shifted to the participation gap, in which it’s more about whether or not you’re pursuing the technology, this research project banked on the fact that “schools and communities that are committed to using technology for family engagement are working to address accessibility and training issues” (Logged In). (Photo on right from: http://jott.com/jotters/wp-content/uploads/2008/05/text-message.jpg)

The first component of this project was about how technology can enhance parenting interventions. A randomized clinical trial was performed to test the effect of cell phone technology and communication on parenting, preventing abuse and neglect, and improving child behavior. They did this by sending text messages to parents of 3-5 year old children twice a day plus at least one phone conversation per day. The texts “contained prompts to help parents manage children’s behavior” (Logged In). The trial showed that the parents receiving the text messages showed bigger improvements in parenting skills (on most observed parenting behaviors) than those without this technological service.

Another part of the project looked at how “technology is being used in innovative ways to boost communication and learning.” A common innovation across many communities is text messaging and online data systems to “enhance direct, home-school communication with busy parents” (Logged In). Before I continued reading the study, I all ready thought about how that would be beneficial. Since so many families these days have both parents at work to make money in the poor economy, having this connection between the school and the parents may be difficult, but adding in technology could definitely help ease the situation.

For example, in my own high school, I remember emails being exchanged between teachers and parents who need to communicate about their children. Though this is part of the high school world and lower, due to FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), this cannot legally occur once the student “reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level” (Family).

An example used in the research project was an online data system in Reno, Nevada, where the United Way worked with PIRC (the Parent Information and Research Center) to “train parents on the use of an online monitoring tool tracking school attendance, assignments, and grades” (Logged In). This would be really useful for parents who don’t have much time at home because they could easily go online and monitor their children’s education quickly at work or home, and then have discussions with their child and school staff based on what they see. (Photo on left by: Natalie Gaudette).

Some very good examples of wireless technology were given. Things like parents getting an immediate text to inform them of absences, as well as using iPod Touch devices for educational applications related to math and reading are being used all around the country. The project goes on to explain how “technology-based assessment systems provide timely information that can help parents monitor their child’s school attendance and performance” as well as how “technology provides access to a wide range of learning resources that parents can use with their children at home.” If you’re interested in reading this write up, feel free to go onto the website listed in my sources titled “Logged In: Using Technology to Engage Families in Children’s Education.”

Sources:
"Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)." U.S. Department of Education. Web. 06 Nov. 2010. http://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.

"Logged In: Using Technology to Engage Families in Children’s Education / Browse Our Publications / Publications & Resources / HFRP - Harvard Family Research Project." HFRP Home / HFRP - Harvard Family Research Project. Harvard Family Research Project. Web. 06 Nov. 2010. http://www.hfrp.org/publications-resources/browse-our-publications/logged-in-using-technology-to-engage-families-in-children-s-education.