Developing Immigrant Parents' Computer Literacy in Partnership with Students' Learning

3.4 Final Report 3.4 Executive Summary Developing Immigrant Parent's Computer Literacy in Partnership with Students' Learning, describes a collaborative effort between university researchers and local community members to assist immigrant Latino parents learn computer skills similar to those their children, have learned and are learning in school. Grounded in sociocultural theory, this study designed a flexible, culturally compatible series of classes in which local teachers, university researchers, parents and their children worked in joint productive activity to create desktop publishing products. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of research were employed. By the end of the 5 year period, several cycles of parents had shown statistically significant gains in the basic computer knowledge. This paper further discusses the role of mediated learning using cultural tools to negotiate communication between parents and children and to promote the development of one's own voice. This paper will interest any concerned with parent education, particularly in communities with large immigrant populations - although the conclusions achieved might be applicable to any interested in involving parents more thoroughly in the education of their children.