Program to help parents utilize electronic devices; First class set for 5 p.m. Wednesday at Eaton Park in Abbeville

Many parents will admit that their kids know much more about electronic devices than they do.
If that is in fact the case, the Vermilion Parish School Board is teaming with local organizations to help resolve that issue for the betterment of students.
With the help of the local NAACP chapter, Cox Communications and South Louisiana Community College, the school board has created a program, Bring Your Own Device, that will help teach parents to use devices, including smart phones, tablets and computers. The purpose is to educate parents to better utilize the devices in regard to homework resources.
The first class will take place today at Eaton Park Elementary in Abbeville. The program will begin at 5 p.m. Parents are asked to bring devices but it is not required. Electronic products will be available for use during the session.
Joe Pillette, President of the Vermilion Parish NAACP chapter, said he feels this program can ultimately help make for a stronger community.
“This is a critical program,” Pillette said. “We would like the maximum amount of parent participation. This is important because the schools are transitioning from traditional ways of teaching to more electronics.
“We are going to try to bridge the gap between the parents and the electronic aspects of  school.”
That is the essence of the program.
“There are many parents that are not proficient with computers and technology,” Pillette explained. “They cannot contribute in that area of the child’s education.
“We don’t want that to be something that holds the child back.”
Parents will learn to use through the various devices the website created to help them access homework and check grades, as well as allow for another avenue to communicate with teachers. The website will also provide many other resources, including tutoring.
 “This partnership between a nonprofit organization, private business, k-12 public education, and the community college system provides a great model for how diverse institutions can work together for the common good,” said Marcil Seals, PhD, classroom technology supervisor for the Vermilion Parish School System and creator of the website.”
To help ensure that the website is easily accessible at homes, Cox Communications is offering a special monthly rate for those who qualify.
  “Cox has a long history of broadband adoption programs across the country,” said Cox Southeast Region Manager of Public Affairs Patricia Thompson. “Connect2Compete helps children achieve their technology goals outside of the classroom, when they’re at home. Research shows that more and more assignments require online research, and teachers are increasingly using email to communicate with students and teachers. There is an achievement gap, and Cox is glad to help be part of the solution by deploying affordable broadband opportunities.”
SLCC will provide a bus that will be in essence a mobile technology unit. The bus will be able to travel to the various schools around the parish. Willie Smith,  SLCC vice chancellor of Economic and Workforce Development, said it is important for the college to take part.
“SLCC’s participation in this partnership is part of the school’s commitment to bringing post-secondary education to all of Acadiana,” Smith said. “Students and parents may not know they can earn a technical diploma or work towards an associate degree right here in Abbeville at our Gulf Area campus.”
Pillette said he believes with all groups working together, this project will have a long-lasting positive effect in the parish.
“This will raise the technology literacy in each home,” Pillette said. “This will also raise the community.”