social media for school & community engagement
DESCRIPTION
Slides from NYSCATE (New York State Association for Computing and Technologies in Education) Annual Conference 2013 presentation on social media in public schools.TRANSCRIPT
Social Media:School & Community
EngagementNYSCATE 2013
http://goo.gl/b32j1w
Chris CasalPS 10 - Brooklyn, NY@mr_casal
Introduction
● Chris○ computer teacher○ technology coordinator○ Google Apps & iPad geek○ @mr_casal & @PS10Tech○ http://about.me/mrcasal
● PS 10○ K-5 public school○ GAFE ○ iPads for teachers○ Technology is a big focus○ @PS10Brooklyn
Our Two-pronged Approach
● Make technology useful & seamlessly integrated for staff benefit○ Google Apps - email, Docs, sites, blogs, etc○ iPads integrated for mobility & efficiency
● Make technology useful & seamlessly integrated for student/parent/community benefit○ Facebook & Twitter ○ SchoolMessenger ○ Google Apps ○ Skype/Hangouts
Teachers
● GAFE better than DOE Outlook○ more space, custom groups, lists, etc
● Share lessons & curriculum maps via Drive● Dropbox for other files - those that don’t play
nice with Drive● “TechHelp”
○ online form to submit requests for in-house computer assistance
● iMac, MacBook in every room● Every teacher has an iPad● All aspects integrated & supported
Why does teacher tech matter?
Access, Comfort & Familiarity● If a teacher doesn’t have a device...● If a teacher doesn’t isn’t comfortable with
using technology...● If a teacher hasn’t made an intimate
connection with how best to use it for them...
Why does teacher tech matter?
● If teachers aren’t constant, authentic users of technology, aren’t engaged themselves, technology & social media will never work to engage others...
Why does teacher tech matter?
Teachers are the social media ambassadors of the
school community
Community
● Website○ ps10.org
■ collaborative between PTA & staff■ staff directory of email & class sites■ Calendar, event notices, pictures
● Twitter○ @PS10Brooklyn
● Facebook○ PS 10 Brooklyn
Social Media
● Big push● Many staff members active
○ https://twitter.com/PS10Brooklyn/lists/staff● Hashtags
○ #ps10bk - general○ #ps10sw - student work○ #ps10st - student tweets
● TagBoards○ http://tagboard.com/ps10bk○ http://tagboard.com/ps10sw○ http://tagboard.com/ps10st○ Parents use hashtags during school-wide events
Why Twitter?
● Twitter was new to all○ sometimes it’s easier to teach a new thing than a
familiar thing a new way● Easy to keep “personal” and “professional”
separate○ no one had a personal account
● It’s a quick, easy to use broadcast platform not requiring viewers to have an account
Parent reaching out... both A.P. & I respond
Making personal connections before Open School Night
Showcasing teachers continual learning...
Colleagues supporting colleagues...
Parents engaging through technology & social media
Our City Councilman tweeting appreciation for our PTA - the full community, beyond just the “school community”
The Paperwork
● Boilerplate NYCDOE “photo consent form”○ start-of-year packet○ covers a wide variety of media type & use
● Classroom teachers know parent comfort● Clusters are informed
○ master list readily available
You don’t need to show faces to show successes & engage families
Tying the two together
● Make technology natural, meaningful, and impactful for teachers & they’ll use it
● Class web pages, blogs & twitter feeds easily meet Common Core & NYS Teacher Evaluation standards - all considered “social media”
● Engage parents through technology & limit the “I didn’t know” moments
Looking forward...
● Skype & Google Hangouts○ virtual field trips & author visits
● Google Hangouts○ PTA meetings, Curriculum Nights
● Independent Student blogs/digital portfolios
● Pushing the envelope & always trying new things...
Roadmap for Social media...
● Pick a platform● Build a framework
○ be flexible & adventurous● Let teachers be your ambassadors
○ trust● Support & encourage engagement
Communications & community are built, most solidly, when the methods are natural & useful...
Contact
Chris Casal@mr_casal
[email protected]/mrcasal
Presentation:http://goo.gl/b32j1w
Additional resources:http://www.slideshare.net/mr_casal