Using Mobile Technology to Foster Effective Communication and Documentation in Childcare Programs

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: Technology as an Agent for Change in Early Childhood Education

Abstract

This mixed-methods research study examined teachers and parents’ perceptions of a mobile technology, named Childcare Management Software(CMS), and their experiences using this software. Twenty parents and twenty teachers participated and completed survey.
Results showed 95% of participants had installed CMS on their devices and 75% of parents checked their children’s school performance on a daily basis. The CMS were most frequently (65%) used by teachers to communicate with parents. 95% of participants were satisfied using the CMS. Especially, they like that this application provided a platform for easy and effective communication. There are three themes emerged from their feedback: 1) Communication (Streamlined; Multimedia); 2) Tracking Developmental Needs; 3) Technological Training and Development.

Authors

• Tingting Xu, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Adam Akerson, Stephen F. Austin State University

• Brandon L Fox, Stephen F. Austin State University