Education App Gives Parents A New Schoolmate
Victorian parents, carers and guardians will now have an easy way to get more involved in supporting their child’s education with the release of SchoolMate app, the first of its kind in Australia.
SchoolMate has been developed for parents and caregivers by the Department of Education and Training.
The app will provide useful information to parents, including:
- advice to parents about what more they can do at home to help their child learn
- ideas for books and apps which parents can download, borrow or buy which are related to their child’s school work
- information about the range of subjects and levels available in each subject – from Prep to Year 10, according to the Victorian AusVELS curriculum
SchoolMate is now available for free download in the App Store and Google Play. It works on iPhone, iPad and Android phones and tablets.
The app was developed after research by the Department of Education and Training (DET) found parents in regional Victoria and Melbourne wanted to know more about what their children were learning at school and what more they can do at home to help.
Victorian teaching subject associations including the History Teachers Association of Victoria and the Maths Teachers Association of Victoria provided information for SchoolMate, as did teachers and principals from schools across the state.
The Raising Children’s Network, Parents Victoria and the Victorian Mother of the Year, Samantha Jackel, tested the app pre-release and contributed to its development. DET also worked closely with the Victorian Curriculum Assessment Authority.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education, James Merlino
“This new app will allow parents to know more about their child’s education, giving greater guidance on how they can help them to learn.”
“We’re supporting innovative ways to give our students more opportunities and to help them achieve their best.”
Quotes attributable for Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos
“SchoolMate will be a fantastic resource for kinder parents who want to find out more about what their child will soon be learning in school.”
Quotes from Parents Victoria Executive Officer, Gail McHardy
“SchoolMate provides families with ‘at home’ ideas, suggested activities, books and other apps and also welcomes feedback – giving parents more of an idea on how they can help.”