Providing a platform for parents? Exploring the nature of parental engagement with school Learning Platforms

This paper investigates how schools are supporting parents' involvement with their children's education through the use of ‘Learning Platform’ technologies – i.e. the integrated use of virtual learning environments, management information systems, communications, and other information and resource-sharing technologies. Based on in-depth case studies of six primary and six secondary schools across England, the paper explores the various ways that schools are implementing, adopting, and using Learning Platforms to engage with parents. The paper also considers how these technologies are being received and used by parents. A number of underlying issues and tensions behind parents' engagement with school Learning Platform technologies are considered, and the potential of digital technologies to reconfigure pre-existing school/parent relationships is examined.