When it comes to most things in life parents talk and kids listen and learn.
But that theory goes out the window when it comes to information and communications technology (ICT).
In this key area, kids are out in front and parents are playing catch-up.
While most parents are busy learning the full capability of ICT, and picking up tips from the kids along the way, their children are blogging and chatting online, using the web as a research tool and working on online projects.
Information Strategy Director in the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, Dean Sedgman, says schools are opening up a world of online opportunities for students as teachers learn how to cement ICT into the core of education.
"Teachers are recognising that most students know more than adults about using ICT, so many teachers are putting students in the driver's seat, giving them the chance to decide what and how they will learn," Mr Sedgman says.
Recently, students at Bartle Frere State School, in Far North Queensland, approached their teachers to create a multimedia presentation about healthy eating. They quickly gained their teachers' support.
The students used the Internet to research healthy foods, recorded themselves preparing healthy meals using digital video cameras, created digital art works that promote healthy eating and stitched their work together to create their multimedia presentation.
Students at Shailer Park State High School in Brisbane approached their teachers with a project idea: to establish a club to learn more about science by using ICT.
The club now lets students share their scientific findings with scientists and their peers through the Internet, online chats and electronic newsletters.
"ICT is connecting our classrooms to the world," says Mr Sedgman.
"Teachers and students are using technology to help students learn about issues that are happening in society right now.
"Every subject can use ICT to develop the knowledge and skills students need for living in the digital age."
The future of ICT in education is set to get even brighter.
By the end of this year, the way information is shared between state schools, parents and students will change.
Learning materials, class work and information on student achievements and absences will be available online, through a secure web portal.
Assistant Director-General Strategic Information and Technologies in the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, Richard Eden, says the portal will give parents and students unparalleled opportunities to engage in education.
"When fully operational, students will use the portal to undertake learning outside the classroom," says Dr Eden.
"They will access class work, tools for chatting and blogging online with their peers and experts, and a host of interactive digital learning activities from the one online learning space.
"The portal will also help parents to support their children's education by providing them with information on the progress of their children's learning and the digital learning materials being used by their child."
With children using ICT like never before, what can parents do to prevent their children from accessing unsuitable material online?
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© The State of Queensland (Department of Education, Training and Employment) 2008.