With the increased use of technology, social media, and apps for just about everything in our lives, there is a limit to what technology can do to foster real family engagement in schools. While the apps developed for family engagement are impressive, do they really engage anyone?

This week, we're providing a special 60-day school-year check-in and opening up the conversation to your individual and school needs. How do you struggle with engaging families?

As social media continues to expand its global reach at an astronomical pace (460,000 new registrations per day on Twitter), parents are taking note. 80% of those 460K sign-ups are between the ages of 18-35 - the age of many of our elementary school parents here in 2012.

Some refer to the balancing act of “Tiger Mom” vs. “Dolphin Mom.” While these words are extreme, they do offer a range of perspectives in play in the homes of today’s students. What effects do each have on children? Can we push a child too far? Ask them to study or practice too much? Where does the responsibility lie in communicating what is best for the student with parents?

As we prepare our students and children for the 21st Century, there is a certain responsibility required when educating students on how to practice safe and responsible usage of online information. The positives of technology integration include collaboration and increased productivity, but in order for students to demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning, we must instill practices when preparing students for appropriate Internet.