Communications and Community-Building with Help from Technology

2013 TechForum NY

Chris CasalPS 10 - Brooklyn, NY@mr_casal

Introduction

● Chris○ computer teacher○ technology coordinator○ Google Apps & iPad geek○ @mr_casal & @PS10Tech

● 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

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?

A quick aside...● 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”

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

● 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...

Technology...

Integrated. Ingrained. Instinctual. Invaluable. Engaged.

Communications & community are built, most solidly, when the methods are natural & useful...