One of my favorite shots of a student using @FreshGrade to taking a photo of her work with tech to comment and share with her parents. #bcedchat (Sorry it's sideways....)
Q1: What kinds of tech are you currently using to connect with your parent community? Staff members? Does your tech use differ when connecting with groups vs individuals? #bcedchat
Hi Everyone, Im excited to join you all tonight, and have my very “helpful” 4 year old tweeting with me (reading me stories) Im a 3/4/5 teacher, and District Learning Support Teacher. Loving #corecompetencies and #play. #bcedchat
Q1: What kinds of tech are you currently using to connect with your parent community? Staff members? Does your tech use differ when connecting with groups vs individuals? #bcedchat
A1 been using @FreshGrade for years - internally using O365 .... but recently just got permission for @GoogleEd and starting to finally explore this! #bcedchat
A1 some departments use MailChimp for parents (general School uses MailChimp and School app) students have a school email address and we can email entire grades. (Google Apps for ed) #bcedchat
A1: I use different tech for different communication needs. Mass emails for 'news'; twitter for updates; @freshgrade for teacher/student/parent sharing; Facebook for parent to parent conversations; Love to hear more ways to connect quickly and efficiently with parents. #bcedchat
A1: My kindergartners post some of their work to Seesaw. At times they choose what to post, other times I do. I share field trip pics, real-time on Remind. Also, class website. Electronic portfolios on google too. #bcedchat
A1. continued. There is a school district website, Facebook Page, and Twitter Account. The school has Twitter too... but in terms of notifications, the best resource (for me) at the point in time is the Weekly Email Notification. #parentPOV#bcedchat
A1: I use social media (Twitter, Insta, FB), our website and Remind for our parent community. Social is for sharing quick moments, events. Remind for reminders, and web for curric and larger communications. #bcedchat
A1: We leverage social media at our school. Twitter for teachers and PD, Instagram for Students and Parents, WeChat (because China) for parent community, Facebook for potential parents and alumni but all cross over to the various stakeholders #bcedchat
A1 I still love twitter for regular updates and even use Facebook - best way to contact one of my parents- so I meet parents where they are.... #bcedchat
A1 #bcedchat@FreshGrade portfolios to show learning, feedback, goals, student reflections etc and the announcement feature for general classroom stuff. Parents (myself included) appreciate the single platform for both uses. Also twitter & instagram
A1: For whole class emails I use MyEd, for individual emails I use district email, some parents follow twitter, text for some parents daily contact. #bcedchat
Q1: What kinds of tech are you currently using to connect with your parent community? Staff members? Does your tech use differ when connecting with groups vs individuals? #bcedchat
We never realize that there is something BIG happening during #bcedchat until it happens. I moderated one chat where Ellen took a selfie and TWITTER FROZE. #bcedchat#itiswhatitis
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @DAliceMarsh, @rilmcknight
A1: I teach is an inner-city school where very few families have ways to reliably connect to technology or lack basic skills and comfortability with using tech constructively. We’ve been trying to match the tech component with the educational component for our parents. #bcedchat
So true. I just can't answer the #bcedchat questions as educator when I am not in the K-12 classroom. I can talk about what I am aware of as a school trustee, but I wanted to see how this goes from the #parentPOV
Q2: Walk us through your typical routine of tech use to connect with these groups (parents or fellow staff members). What does a typical day, week, or month look like for you with these tools? #bcedchat
Coming soon in a blog. Been too busy to give it enough time to explore. Need to review the shares of @alicekeeler to get my G-education going! #bcedchat
In reply to
@montessorimice, @FreshGrade, @GoogleEd, @srobinsmith, @alicekeeler
Noooo! I don't use my personal number to text parents ever. I use 2-way conversations on Remind OR email for those individual communications. #bcedchat
However... I have found it a safer to give my parent volunteers my number on a field trip. Only once have I had to draw the boundary of texting me about their kid post-field trip. #bcedchat
I have some reservations but when I need to connect, I connect (whichever device) and I’ve found parents to be very respectful when they know it’s a personal number/device #bcedchat
So true. Communication is a challenge regardless of what role we play in the K-12 system. Parents are especially difficult because we are peripheral to the system. Need to find effective ways. Not everyone goes to PAC and not everyone reads newsletters, etc. #bcedchat
And they said....Nooooo!! Such a bad spot to be in, nothing is archieved and can lead to issues/questions if anything ever were to happen. I use Remind as a 1-way messaging only. I don't even use the 2-way convo option. #bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @mrlamteacher, @HowardKiyuna
A1: One issue we are working to address is fragmentation of information. Too many options can sometimes confuse parents and students. Where do we look for information? #bcedchat
A2: My routine is usually to update https://t.co/qhHo5prhzC for student use every week. Create a blog post if needed for parent comms on there. Smaller moments get put on social media sites #bcedchat
A2 my daily calendar is updated on the students page so tgey can find what they may have missed. I tweet out our daily activities to a set group and weekly blog updates too. I am also always chatting with parents in our small school communitu #bcedchat
A2: I use Twitter for professional use only. I try to post what's happening around school, exciting work, projects, classrooms, a bit of everything at least a couple times a week. #bcedchat
A2: kids post to Seesaw about 2x a week. Sometimes the use Explain everything first to talk about their learning, then post to parents. Parents post back. I screen everything. #bcedchat
Definitely. I respond to emails almost as immediately, but turn off the emails after 8:00 pm. I will respond weekdays after 6:30 am (when I arrive at school). Weekends, I respond on Sunday afternoons....#bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @mrlamteacher, @HowardKiyuna, @bcedchat
A2: Yes me too. I’ve tried to use it for interaction with students; but it got very messy and cluttered. Anyone have any good results with using Twitter for more than PD? #bcedchat
A2. As a parent, I don't hear from teachers on a regular or ongoing basis. It's the "wait for the report card" and go to the "mass teacher interview" in the gym or during the day. Weekly notifications are school based. This might be a secondary phenomenon. #bcedchat#parentPOV
A2. At the start of every term, I pre-program Remind and have it push to Twitter & Facebook. Then set other reminders as the term moves on. Invite Parents to our GClass to receive updates on what we are doing in class. #bcedchat
This is my first year doing this. It’s great. But man does it take lots of time. Having to book a lab and have my students go down there, do their work, follow up, etc. #bcedchat
I enjoy the convenience of controlling own communications as well. As I said before, you create and establish your boundaries. Then maintain them. Don't let them slip. #bcedchat
In reply to
@mrlamteacher, @DAliceMarsh, @HowardKiyuna
private in-house conversations primarily happen by email but also by Wechat (like What's App) Wish we could get more into using Slack and away from so much email between colleagues! #bcedchat
A2: Would you be open to engage with teachers on a txt-ing basis? I’m toying with using a txting app to communicate with my parents. Concerns about boundaries, wellness, expectations, and more… #bcedchat
While it's a YCW phone, we have a small staff of 4 teachers, so we're all able to use it and as an alt school, all staff pretty well know everything about all students. I use send the messages myself and hold onto it until I receive my response. #bcedchat
In reply to
@mrlamteacher, @MsVictoriaOlson, @HowardKiyuna
I like the concept of texting, but realise that it means my number is out there. But as admin, I'm comfortable with that . The bigger issue is that I can't rely on texting or email to reach everyone. (technology/poverty inequalities) #bcedchat
I am open to anything. That said, the feeling must be mutual. Tough as a parent to access student learning... seems weird though... come to think of it. It should be an open conversation b/w Ts, Ps, and Ss. At this point in time, there is very little connection. #bcedchat
A2: Would you be open to engage with teachers on a txt-ing basis? I’m toying with using a txting app to communicate with my parents. Concerns about boundaries, wellness, expectations, and more… #bcedchat
8-12
We have 1iPad cart which doesn’t support the @weebly app, 1 iPad in the library, and 4 PC labs which are often used by IT classes. 1300 sts #bcedchat
That's why I tell them to follow ONE of our social media accounts since I cross-post the same things to all of them. You don't need to watch our Twitter and Facebook if you're already on Instagram and know that tool. #bcedchat
I send home a survey at the start of the year, suggest the ways I might communicate and get a sense of accessibility for parents no point emailing if they never check or tweeting if they don't know what it is. Always find something that works but it changes #bcedchat
We are going to play with the parent portal this term. Hopefully we can communicate with parents regarding student progress more effectively. #bcedchat
A2 not only do you have to pick the tool, you have to make sure if it is compatible with all the tech at your school, students phone and parents #bcedchat
A3: I think email feels a bit closed off. But we do encourage open dialogue with twitter posts from teachers and have a few class twitter pages for kids to post to #bcedchat
A3. The "tools" I use are typically 1-way. Because I am able to check the apps on my phone if I wanted to. I'm trying to set boundaries for balance in pers/prof life. So I encourage phone calls/emails if convos wanted/needed. #bcedchat
A3: I get the most communication via Remind and email for sure, even if most of our communications have options for commentary and engagement. #bcedchat
A3. As a parent, the Weekly Email Notifications, school website, and school app are ONE WAY. I am a passive recipient of school information. Not much about student learning specifically about my kid. I do feel disconnected. #bcedchat#parentPOV
Also as a teacher i think its important to protect yourself. If ever you were accused of misconduct it's important to have boundaries and not have student to teacher private conversations on your personal number #bcedchat
A3: @FreshGrade can invite rich dialogue (depends what is added and how parents engaged in the platform) and email, other social media mostly information sharing or highlights #bcedchat
SeeSaw is good for this in primary grades. This is why we use Kidblog instead, though the curricular links aren't there and private parent-teacher conversations don't happen in that space. I'd rather have the kids/parents experience digcit/community #bcedchat
A2. I send a weekly reminder email on Sunday and copy to FG.We are encouraged to have monthly comm with Ps in form of email, phone, FG, etc and letting them know how their child is doing.We document this as well. I primarily use and love FG. #BCedchat@FreshGrade@sd54learns
When I read this... it saddens me on so many levels. There is very little trust in the system to get to a place of vulnerability by any stakeholder. Ts, Ps, or Ss. How can we get past this? #bcedchat
Also as a teacher i think its important to protect yourself. If ever you were accused of misconduct it's important to have boundaries and not have student to teacher private conversations on your personal number #bcedchat
Agreed. Sorry I really don’t mean to complain. But I speak on behalf of staff at my school for a well thought out technology implementation plan. #bcedchat
This depends on the tech ability of the parent. To me? Neither is very important... just information only. Phone me??? Now that's important. #bcedchat#parentPOV
A3 I find that we communicate mostly face to face in my small school. Ss are very good at sharing successes and trials to parents who are very comfortible in visiting the class. Most tech is just for sharing days events #bcedchat#smallschoolissues
Q4: What kind of feedback do you get from parents about the technologies you use? Where do you get the most “bites” for connection and how do you know? #bcedchat
I think its good practice to loop in another teacher or admin if the conversation is private. Might seem a bit overkill but in the end we want to make sure both students and teachers are in a safe zone #bcedchat
Yes. I agree. I think it’s a larger societal issue . Mind you at the same time, I do agree that protections need to be entrenched and in place for our most vulnerable #bcedchat
I see the email as more "official" and something of more serious in nature. With a text more of a reaching out, more casual, wanting to get help from parent before things getting out of hand. #bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @brynmw, @mrlamteacher, @ChristineYH
I feel very fortunate to be in a district that supports tech. My little school now has 32 student laptops, every teacher has a laptop, 15 desk tops available, 35 iPads to share. (not where I want to be, but a great start for a school of 200). #bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @mrlamteacher, @weebly
A3 The technology I use with families encourages limited dialogue. I prefer meeting in person to go deeper into topics. I use technology more as a way to keep families informed of what we are doing in class and to encourage conversation between child and family #bcedchat
A4: The ones who do access their child’s websites/blogs/FG do indeed provide very positive feedback. I’ve gotten very positive feedback about pictures and videos because it enables teachers to be able to “see” into the classroom #bcedchat
A4: a big thing for our middle school is parent access to homework due dates. We have open documents that show when and what is due. Helps accountability and transparency #bcedchat
I agree, that why I find it curious....a text is right before a call for urgency (unless you are my mother, then email seems to be for urgent, calls for the "don't worry to call back"....#bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @mrlamteacher, @ChristineYH
A4: I don't really get a ton of feedback about tech use other than it's great that info is available to them. I plan to survey this at some point so I can improve the parent experience. #bcedchat
A4. Most "bites" are from Remind. Acts as a text message, so parents get it in a timely manner (depending on how they have notifications set). Know because of their "reactions" likes etc to the posts and the odd message or two back. #bcedchat
A4. I have not given feedback about technology used in school to connect w/ parents. I may have commented to the VP that I liked the Weekly Email Notification for school events. The school app is duplicate information. I need to see what's working for others. #bcedchat#parentPOV
A4 + A5 Most communication is one way. If parents require more info they will just email the teacher. Most bites from parents are in response to a newsletter #bcedchat
But it has to start somewhere. Mobile options are powerful for kids. It's what they know best and very likely what they'll use in the future. #bcedchat
A4 I’ve had positives about Twitter shares (school account not my sometimes-too-much personal one) esp for announcements and quick shares of student successes (and thanks for awareness of faces & media #bcedchat
Absolutely. But when there is a mindset of "saving self" or SAFETY is of primary concern when communicating with parents... it makes me think that it's not that safe. #bcedchat
A4 Most communication is one way. If parents require more info they will just email the teacher. Most bites from parents are in response to a newsletter #bcedchat#bcedchat
I have started making and sending out a quick @YouTube video each week... in which I talk about certain things, like the "why" behind projects, or how we are making things #realworld relevant. I have gotten positive feedback #bcedchat
A4 I was thrilled with parent response to efolios at our Teach/Parent/S meetings last month -many ready for more sharing of standards as they feel they “get them” and like the IEP-like focus of what THEIR child will be working towards not what the class is going g to do #bcedchat
I have two accounts. One for parents/students etc. And one for professional/personal use. That being said...I don't post anything "too" personal on twitter because I keep it open for all to see. My Ss have dropped off the Twitterverse, so I rarely use it anymore. #bcedchat
A4 Ps love FG. Easy, great way to see exactly how their child is doing. Important that activities are meaningful and Ss have reflected as well. ‘Photo roll’ not effective. #sd54learns#BCedchat
A5: They are distributed by our tech facilitator. Decisions are made between that person and the principal. Then we are told about who gets what. #bcedchat
A5: Honestly word of mouth for the most part. I've started a tech-related newsletter that I send out a couple times a month but it would be great if more people contributed to it bc I miss stuff #bcedchat
Eeep....I have never really liked that dichotomy, until I understood it wasn't about 'age', it was about use...so a 50 yo could be digital native while a 15 yo might not... #bcedchat
In reply to
@jfprovencher27, @MsVictoriaOlson, @mrlamteacher, @weebly
A5 although we have a great tech group, very little is shared with Ts. I tend to be the go to support at my school for T, Ss and office staff. More support is needed for many high school teachers #bcedchat
A5. Small staff of 5, by WOM or iMessage (we're all dedicated Apple users). I find #sd40learns is trying to grow the use of Twitter for sharing pro-d. It's a slow-gradual movement. #bcedchat
A4 I've has very positive feedback about Remind. It has really helped them start conversations with their children about what they did at school that day #bcedchat
A5. I can't answer this question from the #parentPOV. #bcedchat
I hope that we are using technology amongst colleagues and with parents as effective tools to share student learning. It can be but wonder if it works best when the whole staff is one board. Thoughts?
A5: We have an email blast out called "In the Loop" in our district that shares upcoming or interesting Pro-D events. And then Instructional Services has a resources site. #bcedchat
Super important to model good digital citizenship. That's why I like leaving my Twitter open to parents/students/whoever. Shows them how to use it professionally #bcedchat
In reply to
@mrlamteacher, @brynmw, @jfprovencher27, @MsVictoriaOlson, @weebly
Google apps for education has revolutionized my teaching. I provide continual feedback while students are writing so when they do submit, it is typically their best work. #BCedchat
In reply to
@technolandy, @montessorimice, @FreshGrade, @GoogleEd, @alicekeeler
A4- Parents respond to tweets- both with likes and comments and have also told me it gives them things to talk to their kids about, instead of what did you do today. Parents also like the digital portfolio that Ss post to and I give feedback on and Ss reflect on. #bcedchat
Q4: What kind of feedback do you get from parents about the technologies you use? Where do you get the most “bites” for connection and how do you know? #bcedchat
Q6: Do one-way technological channels work effectively to pass along professional learning materials? Do you think resources being bypassed or looked over more often as a result? #bcedchat
Best feedback I ever received was the first year with @FreshGrade from a mom with a boy with some challenges - and she loved being able to see her son learn and what he was doing in school (esp him reading!) best info she ever got about him! #bcedchat
My greatest challenge is overload. I have three (really 7) email accounts. 3 Google hangout groups. 2 GroupMe. Then all the stuff that flows from GClassroom. I know there’s more. #bcedchat
A6: Difficulty with one-way tech for sharing opportunities is that the sender does not really know if there is a positive response. Say it 3 times, in 3 different times/ways. Email, post, in person. Best way to get information out. #bcedchat
What's a photocopier? 🤷♀️ As I hide sheepishly. Still bust it out for some assessment and work for students who work best with paper. Not everyone embraces tech. For some it's a hinderance to their learning. Need to be flexible. #bcedchat
joerobison907 -- I just started it a couple of weeks ago, & have done 2. My next one is going to be on Ss portfolios, & my vision for those leading to collaboration between Ss, Ps, and Ts -we use Google Sites to make portfolios & will send home for 1st time this week #bcedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @mrlamteacher, @YouTube
I’ve been tossing the idea around in my head lately of “meeting the parent where they are.” It’s not as easy as I originally assumed; because we all come from such different backgrounds with different gifts and burdens as well #bcedchat
Our district offers us choice of platforms and tech tools - google is one of those choices. I personally really like Google education tools. Not everyone in our district feels the same. #BCedchat
In reply to
@MsVictoriaOlson, @technolandy, @montessorimice, @FreshGrade, @GoogleEd, @alicekeeler
A6. This is an interesting question... my #teacherhat is on. Sharing professional learning materials online is one thing... that folks can take or leave. Likely leave because there is no context... like "you had to be there." #seeingitinaction#bcedchat
A6: Ideally I'd like people to engage in conversation about professional learning. Otherwise, how do we know? We are trying to start a pineapple chart here to encourage teachers to visit each others classrooms #bcedchat
My admin uses bit.lys and other links that you can track click data on. But that's the best you can do - someone may click, but you don't know if they've engaged. #bcedchat
I’ve offered to meet on “neutral territory” like Starbys but in large part that I’m mindful that many of our parents had tough school experiences - and even though we do things different - building still looks the same... #bcedchat
A6. continued. It's like getting a worksheet and inherently knowing how the lesson or concept was taught. It's tacit knowledge that needs to be made explicit. I'm not sure that sharing PD resources online is enough, but it's a step. #hugelearningcurve#bcedchat
Absolutely. Definitely why it is best to follow up in multiple ways. Makes leaders need to pick what's important to focus on, since you can't possibly force all that info into change-making #bcedchat
Formative assessment. I can be “in a document” at the same time as a student giving them feedback while they are in the same doc at the same time. Also, I was sick all last week and yet I was able to interact with my students via google classroom when I wanted to. #BCedchat
In reply to
@mrlamteacher, @technolandy, @montessorimice, @FreshGrade, @GoogleEd, @alicekeeler
I think it's about balance. I will always encourage tech. But for some assignments, I'll create a hybrid version to help build their confidence level with tech. For many of my Ss, the only tech they ever use is at school only. (in Gr 10). They aren't all digital natives.#bcedchat
With how busy the school day is it is the quickest and easiest way to get information out. Admin will often send out memos or something interesting to share to staff during the day. Sometimes there's a "reply to all", or a chat later in the staffroom. #bcedchat
indeed but doesn't iit simplify language to a point that you won't be able to communicate later on or increase you capacity and help building it #bcedchat
That's funny, because I use the https://t.co/Swic4888oM for shortening the links to make them more accessible, but I do watch the 'clicks', knowing they mean less than I hope. #bcedchat
A5 We have Flex in our school once week which provide us a chance to interact with each other ( Block of 60 min) This is a great initaive #ballenas5#bcedchat
I absolutely agree. A teacher lab would be phenomenal. Out classroom is a lab. I'm such an advocate and firm believer in EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING and DELIBERATE PRACTICE. #bcedchat
Yes!! I run a “laboratory classroom” and teachers can come #seeitinaction and engage with it, and ask my Ss questions, and ask me questions, and even #tryit while they visit. “The only source of knowledge is experience” (Einstein)
A7: The interesting one is Flipgrid. It’s a prompt response system but it’s so versatile. Someone used it as a message doorbell for their office hours. #bcedchat
It's the same when I watch the "pageviews" on my class website. The hope that students are taking learning into their own hands AND on their own time. #FalseHope#NotReality#bcedchat
In reply to
@brynmw, @MsVictoriaOlson, @rilmcknight
This chat has really allowed me to rethink about ways to connect with my community of staff, students and parents (and other community members). Thank you, @MsVictoriaOlson#bcedchat
A7: I love using Mailchimp to make graphic email newsletters. I think people engage in them more because they look nice and are more enjoyable to consume #bcedchat
#bcedchat will be taking a break next week for the Family Day long weekend. Join @christineyh and @teachinginthe21 on Sun Feb 18 at 7pm PST to discuss “The Culture of Unsaids”
