#edchatie Archive


Monday January 14, 2019
3:30 PM EST

  • fboss Jan 14 @ 3:30 PM EST
    Welcome to tonight's #edchatie live hour-long discussion. Before we begin, please introduce yourself and remember to always include the hashtag #edchatie in all of your tweets so they can be seen and included later in the transcript.
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 3:32 PM EST
    #edchatie Julie Post Primary. Interested to hear what others do maybe for PR along with why its important
    In reply to @fboss
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:32 PM EST
    John near Carnew... often wore the PR hat in school #edchatie
  • cdohertyed Jan 14 @ 3:37 PM EST
    January 1st: "2019 will be the year of reading fiction for me!" January 14th: "I tried." #edchatie #histedchatie #term2 #histedchat #edchat #BackToPorridge
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:38 PM EST
    oK to kick it off. I have not had to do the PR rigmarole in my current school but back in Albemarle, I was responsible for there school websites which was the primary news outlet for the various schools #edchatie
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 3:38 PM EST
    Fred Boss, 2nd level art teacher currently working with @NCCAie Looking forward to hearing about how schools in primary and post primary as well as at third level use PR (and why) #edchatie
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:38 PM EST
    #edchatie Edel post primary teacher in Drogheda
    In reply to @fboss
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:41 PM EST
    TBH Albemarle was a unique experience compared to Irish schools. We had two TV stations and numerous print outlets always looking for news stories so it was mutually beniefical relationship. for the first year found it exciting to have cameras in the school #edchatie
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:41 PM EST
    #edchatie What do others think this involves in their own school situation? #PR In mine there's a variety of ever expanding avenues that it incorporates
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 3:44 PM EST
    Would websites be the main way of informing parents or were they used for PR-related activities to promote upcoming events, etc... too. #edchatie
    • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:38 PM EST
      oK to kick it off. I have not had to do the PR rigmarole in my current school but back in Albemarle, I was responsible for there school websites which was the primary news outlet for the various schools #edchatie
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:44 PM EST
    #edchatie personally I think #PR has an ever important role in schools where in certain areas schools are certainly in competition with each other for students
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:45 PM EST
    All PR/reporters would go through ACPS PR director who would assist with the reportage. Phil earned his crust in the aftermath of August 12 riots in Charlottesville in handling the media which allowed admin to react to the riots vis a vis staff and students rather .. #edchatie
  • boyle_thomas Jan 14 @ 3:45 PM EST
    Have those meetings now with management, does you school want to introduce #Coding short course in the future or maybe it is already established & you seek guidance to improve quality of deliver! Excellent CPD on offer 😆 I might be bias 👨🏻‍💻#Edchatie #JCCiA #LCcs
    • JCforTeachers Jan 14 @ 3:29 PM EST
      Our 2 year #juniorcycle @JctCoding initiative -Coding In Action- involving 50 schools, comes to an end in March We are planning a big final event to mark this achievement with these schools We will also be moving to recruit c60 more schools for phase II Watch this space #jcreform
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:46 PM EST
    than doing news interviews. I think schools should have a plan for dealing with the media when dealing with bad news more than a plan for PR. #edchatie
  • rathudotie Jan 14 @ 3:46 PM EST
    Our January newsletter is out! Have you caught up?! #edchatie https://t.co/yBeGukOpXO
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 3:47 PM EST
    Yup but in these cases its possibly the informal PR via parents on the ground that it is the most important tool a school can deploy. You can have all the bells & whistles you want but word-of-mouth is VITAL #edchatie
    In reply to @Tumedel
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 3:47 PM EST
    Is PR in schools mainly used to advertise for incoming students and to promote it to prospective parents? #edchatie
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:47 PM EST
    That falls usually under the critical incident policy in a school #edchatie
    In reply to @johnmayo
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:49 PM EST
    In Irish schools is the very idea of having someone with a role for #PR a relatively new idea? To give it a particular title as such? #edchatie
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:49 PM EST
    #edchatie Yeah but we also had Blackboard which could email as well as texting service. Local TV are brilliant in announcing snow days (which ACPS have today) https://t.co/0jNeFzQv7a & https://t.co/NyFdBxdI7H
    In reply to @fboss
  • wllirl Jan 14 @ 3:50 PM EST
    Last change to be in the draw for a free ticket to our #French teacher conference on March 2nd in Athlone! Draw in 10 minutes! Just RT which workshop you would like to attend? https://t.co/gwxAKmxkFm #Edchatie #mflire #mflie #FTC2019
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:51 PM EST
    I think to also open up current parents to what is going on in school too #edchatie An awful lot goes on parents don't know about-obviously I mean in a good way-that's the way we use our school Facebook page
    In reply to @fboss
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:51 PM EST
    #edchatie It is very important to have a plan ...https://t.co/hJq40RkCoc
    In reply to @Tumedel
  • CatrionaGolden Jan 14 @ 3:52 PM EST
    What do you mean by PR? Social media use etc? For us, it would be more for engagement with current parents, as well as hopefully attracting new parents. Can also be great for engaging with local business and services. It's a great forum for sharing school culture. #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:52 PM EST
    We use our school app and Facebook, information put on website too but it's the lesser of the three by far #edchatie but same person in charge of all 3
    In reply to @fboss
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 3:52 PM EST
    #edchatie Facebook and to a lesser extent Snapchat are important platforms to consider as well.
    In reply to @Tumedel, @fboss
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 3:53 PM EST
    I think yes it's a primary function for a lot of schools. Secondary function (or primary if school promotion/attracting numbers isn't an issue) is to disseminate info 2 current staff/students/parents. Active up-to-date info on school events/calendar/exam info is common #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • GermanTeachIRL Jan 14 @ 3:53 PM EST
    Eistear from Mayo. PR is essential to building a strong, united school community, where parents, teachers and students are informed and involved. It's also key to marketing the school to outside world. Both are equally important. #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 3:54 PM EST
    print media is also used in a lot of schools - lots do Annual / Bi-annual / Term newsletters. Also supports local printers etc. #edchatie
    In reply to @CatrionaGolden, @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:55 PM EST
    Our Facebook page is by far the most effective method we have to communicate with local community -but our school app is popular too for school messages to parents and students-it's obviously private compared to Facebook #edchatie
    In reply to @johnmayo, @fboss
  • GermanTeachIRL Jan 14 @ 3:56 PM EST
    It's also a way to promote events and achievements to the whole school community - very important especially with bigger schools where there can be a lot going on. #edchatie
    In reply to @mssweeneyhomeec, @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:57 PM EST
    Of course totally agree, but some schools have very effective methods that go hand in hand with reputation #edchatie
    In reply to @mssweeneyhomeec
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 3:58 PM EST
    not 'new' but maybe moving away from post-holders as posts were lost in the past and posts had to be reviewed. Now often voluntary by young staff / IT literate / enthastic staff * those with time lol #edchatie
    In reply to @Tumedel
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 3:59 PM EST
    I like the idea of sharing a school's culture #edchatie
    In reply to @CatrionaGolden
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 3:59 PM EST
    #edchatie yes that makes sense, what about for simple things like events or sports or awards students get etc. Is there someone who contacts papers, emails photos, sends on information in your school? Is that someone's role or part of a post?
    In reply to @CuffeL
  • ScoilnetPrimary Jan 14 @ 4:00 PM EST
    Are you planning an event for @safeinternetday on Tuesday 5th Feb? Don't forget to share your SID plans on @Webwise_Ireland https://t.co/2CLkxfYfSy #DigitalLearning #DigitalLiteracy #edchatie #Scoilnet #FreeResources #BeInCtrl #SID2019
  • CatrionaGolden Jan 14 @ 4:01 PM EST
    I think it's particularly important where you might be looking to change aspects of school culture. Parents often cant see the changes in action and engaging them often in it online can aid the change. #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:02 PM EST
    Ha yes i know. That's the way it started in my school and many still have do it based on interest (depending on what it is)but it's now a post holders official role as seen as important and needed in school #edchatie
    In reply to @mssweeneyhomeec
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:02 PM EST
    We're at the halfway point in tonight's LIVE #edchatie discussion on the topic of "How important is the role of PR in a post primary school?" What are your thoughts and ideas?
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 4:03 PM EST
    #edchatie Schools should cultivate a relationship with their local newspaper.. Identify someone junior within that organisation who needs to develop a local network. To them, a cooperative school fills column inches on quiet days
    In reply to @Tumedel, @CuffeL
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 4:04 PM EST
    been in schools for this kind of directive too. My understanding is PR is more by teachers - maybe 1 in particular or a small team and what you describe is more in response to a critical incidence/reporter type asking questions which is always passed up along the chain #edchatie
    In reply to @CuffeL, @Tumedel
  • ClairePotier1 Jan 14 @ 4:04 PM EST
    Qui dois-je suivre en tant que prof de français en Irlande? #French #Edchatie
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:04 PM EST
    Totally agree #edchatie relationship with local papers vital and they actually like to be contacted I find
    In reply to @johnmayo, @CuffeL
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:05 PM EST
    Do you use the statistics part of Facebook to track engagement with users/followers of your school's page? If so, does it help with planning ahead for other posts? #edchatie
    In reply to @Tumedel, @johnmayo
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:06 PM EST
    We do use them as it's very effective to see how active it is and also helps push followers towards other social media /notification areas school has like it's app #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss, @johnmayo
  • LuskCCHistory Jan 14 @ 4:07 PM EST
    Have used these @WorldWise_Irl and @Irish_Aid resources for other subjects. Thanks so much for making it easier for us to link @JctHistory to Development Education and the @GetupGoals . #historyteacher #edchatie
    In reply to @JctHistory, @WorldWise_Irl, @WorldWise_Irl, @Irish_Aid, @JctHistory, @GetupGoals
  • CatrionaGolden Jan 14 @ 4:07 PM EST
    Also in PR terms, local newspapers and radio stations can be great resources. We had a local paper do a piece with photo on our new sensory path earlier this year. It got loads of positive attention. Plenty of local papers are looking for things to cover in community #edchatie
  • wllirl Jan 14 @ 4:09 PM EST
    Félicitations à @ClairePotier1! You have won a free ticket to the #French teacher conference in March! We will send you DM with details. #FTC2019 #Edchatie #mflire #mflie
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:09 PM EST
    Does anyone feel that the annual (do all schools print them?) Yearbook is important for PR or is more a record and celebration of the year? #edchatie
  • johnmayo Jan 14 @ 4:09 PM EST
    #edchatie How many schools have a Google Alert on their school?
    In reply to @Tumedel, @fboss
  • CatrionaGolden Jan 14 @ 4:11 PM EST
    Its great for planning timing of scheduled posts, especially if you want to make sure it hits the widest audience. #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss, @Tumedel, @johnmayo
  • wllirl Jan 14 @ 4:11 PM EST
    #Musique - We will have a presentation on how to use music and songs for languages learning at our #French teacher conference on March 2nd. Christine and the Queens will probably make to the French classrooms #FTC2019 #edchatie #mflie #mflire
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:11 PM EST
    I think it means a lot of things certainly not just Social media-any way that the school can let people maybe on the outside see what it's really about so yes promoting a Schools culture-helping people see what the school is about really-all part of it #edchatie
    In reply to @CatrionaGolden, @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:13 PM EST
    Totally agree, many things get lost in a big school, it's good to highlight what's going on, on any one day-schools are very busy places #edchatie
    In reply to @GermanTeachIRL, @mssweeneyhomeec, @fboss
  • The_Urell Jan 14 @ 4:14 PM EST
    A lot of excellent practice within the classroom can remain hidden for years unless the teachers choose to advertise it on social media.#edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:14 PM EST
    Yes you know exactly when the biggest audience checks in every day #edchatie
    In reply to @CatrionaGolden, @fboss, @johnmayo
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:15 PM EST
    I would be very interested to know how people keep a track of all of the different and potential PR goodies that go on daily within a school - especially large schools. How is it planned for/reported on? #edchatie
    In reply to @Tumedel, @GermanTeachIRL, @mssweeneyhomeec
  • rathudotie Jan 14 @ 4:15 PM EST
    Good luck from Ireland! 🍀 Loreto Rumbek is South Susan we’re our Pay It Forward partner of 2018 and received 5% of our course fees. We are hoping to pay it forward to an Irish-based charity this year. Send us your nominations please! 🤓 #edchatie #socialenterprise #charity
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:17 PM EST
    Get staff on side&students actually too & be persistent in asking for information in the beginning and make a success of for example the school Facebook page-people more than willing to contribute/let you know what they are doing once they buy into it/see it in action #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss, @GermanTeachIRL, @mssweeneyhomeec
  • The_Urell Jan 14 @ 4:18 PM EST
    In my subject departments we regularly ask " Has it really happened if you didn't tweet it?" #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • mssweeneyhomeec Jan 14 @ 4:19 PM EST
    more of a celebration of past year but good for the archives too. We recently had a 20th birthday celebration for our adult ed dept and old yearbooks/records were so nice to look back on *sidenote it sparked a debate re GDPR as to whether we'd have this stuff in futute #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss
  • GermanTeachIRL Jan 14 @ 4:19 PM EST
    Staff continually encouraged to promote activities etc. We have a school app, which centralizes all PR items. It is an excellent PR tool, and also has the option of sharing to social media platforms Facebook and Twitter. #edchatie
    In reply to @fboss, @Tumedel, @mssweeneyhomeec
  • caramcdermott Jan 14 @ 4:20 PM EST
    #edchatie Late to this folks. Apologies. Cara McDermott. Further Ed. Teach Digital Marketing and look after social media. Yes Google Alert is NB. For school and sometimes staff.
    In reply to @johnmayo, @Tumedel, @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:21 PM EST
    Same as us #edchatie with app
    In reply to @GermanTeachIRL, @fboss, @mssweeneyhomeec
  • CuffeL Jan 14 @ 4:22 PM EST
    Sorry, Had to duck uot for a bit #edchatie We did have someone who was in charge of local publicity, contacting the papers etc when students won national awards and the like. It worked out well.
    In reply to @Tumedel
  • caramcdermott Jan 14 @ 4:23 PM EST
    Word of mouth is very NB for PR. Let the students tell the story. Or parents. In a more general sense, nothing beats face to camera video to help beat the elusive FB algorithm. Snapchat is dying. Instagram stories are growing. #edchatie
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:25 PM EST
    Interesting to know how many schools run their own social media and also keep track of the rapidly changing scenery as to how it works, how best to use it and when it's waxing/waning #edchatie
    • caramcdermott Jan 14 @ 4:23 PM EST
      Word of mouth is very NB for PR. Let the students tell the story. Or parents. In a more general sense, nothing beats face to camera video to help beat the elusive FB algorithm. Snapchat is dying. Instagram stories are growing. #edchatie
  • ruanemedu Jan 14 @ 4:26 PM EST
    Sorry late drop by Mary guidance counsellor now but with many other hats with rhetorical comment I guess #edchatie I’m 20 yrs in education how times have changed - post for PR allocated before other school posts, schools and PR, marketing, data analytics ...
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:26 PM EST
    We're into the famous final five minutes of tonight's LIVE hour of discussion on #edchatie looking at "How important is the role of PR in a post primary school?" Any last thoughts, ideas, issues, solutions or questions?
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:26 PM EST
    Yes I think all of that ties into the #PR role #edchatie
    In reply to @CuffeL
  • The_Urell Jan 14 @ 4:28 PM EST
    I agree about the need for balance but I've been teaching for 30 years and for too long, a lot of what we did in school did not reach the wider community. Now i let them know! #edchatie
    In reply to @GermanTeachIRL, @fboss
  • Tumedel Jan 14 @ 4:29 PM EST
    Agree-we utilise videos on our school Facebook-focus is on photos and videos & interviews. Much more effective-parents main fans of Facebook, but you'd be surprised by amount of students too, past students too #edchatie
    In reply to @caramcdermott
  • fboss Jan 14 @ 4:29 PM EST
    It wasn't until I moved out of Dublin that I saw the power of the local press with regards to schools (and vice-versa) #edchatie
    In reply to @CuffeL, @Tumedel