Social Media for School & Community Engagement
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Chris Casal discusses the integration of technology in PS 10, a K-5 public school in Brooklyn, emphasizing the importance of teacher comfort and access to technology to enhance community engagement. The document outlines the school's use of Google Apps, social media, and various communication tools to facilitate interaction among staff, parents, and students. Future initiatives include virtual field trips and the continued development of independent student projects to further integrate technology within the educational framework.
Social Media for School & Community Engagement
- 1. Social Media: School & Community Engagement NYSCATE 2013 http://goo.gl/b32j1w Chris Casal PS 10 - Brooklyn, NY @mr_casal
- 2. 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
- 3. 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
- 4. 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
- 5. 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...
- 6. 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...
- 7. Why does teacher tech matter? Teachers are the social media ambassadors of the school community
- 8. Community ● Website ○ ps10.org ■ collaborative between PTA & staff ■ staff directory of email & class sites ■ Calendar, event notices, pictures ● Twitter ○ @PS10Brooklyn ● Facebook ○ PS 10 Brooklyn
- 9. 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
- 10. 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
- 11. Parent reaching out... both A.P. & I respond Making personal connections before Open School Night
- 12. Showcasing teachers continual learning... Colleagues supporting colleagues...
- 13. Parents engaging through technology & social media
- 14. Our City Councilman tweeting appreciation for our PTA the full community, beyond just the “school community”
- 15. 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
- 16. 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
- 17. 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...
- 18. 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...