Parental Perceptions of a STEM Program Utilizing Social Media as an Informal Learning Space

• In Event: Friday Roundtable Session 4:55 pm
  In Roundtable Session: Parental Perspectives on Technology Use (Table 29)

Abstract

Data were collected from a year of implementation of the Family STEM Toolkit Program, in three urban schools. The program sent toolkits home for 290 early childhood families to engage in STEM activities and utilizes social media as a shared space for families and the program. This study investigates how participation in the program affects parental perceptions of STEM, the use of social media for learning, their future involvement in their children's STEM education, and affordances and barriers to families’ STEM collaborations. While perceptions were high and favorable, most families reported concerns with time management, but interactions in social media motivated parents to engage with the toolkits. Directions for future research on parents, STEM, and online spaces are discussed.

Authors

• Valentina Bongiovanni, University of North Florida

• Meghan M. Parkinson, University of North Florida

• Christian Winterbottom, University of North Florida