Slides from my portion of panel discussion on various ways to build communication & community within schools using technology. Topics covered included iPads & Google Apps for ease of communication, and social media such as Twitter for both communication as well as community building by creating transparent learning communities.

1. Communications and CommunityBuilding with Help from Technology
2013 TechForum NY
Chris Casal
PS 10 - Brooklyn, NY
@mr_casal

2. Introduction
● Chris
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computer teacher
technology coordinator
Google Apps & iPad geek
@mr_casal & @PS10Tech
● PS 10
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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
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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. Community
● Website
○ ps10.org
■ collaborative between PTA & staff
■ staff directory of email & class sites
■ Calendar, event notices, pictures
● Twitter
○ @PS10Brooklyn
● Facebook
○ PS 10 Brooklyn

6. Social Media
● Big push
● Many staff members active
○ https://twitter.com/PS10Brooklyn/lists/staff
● Hashtags
○ #ps10bk - general
○ #ps10sw - student work
○ #ps10st - student tweets
● TagBoards
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http://tagboard.com/ps10bk
http://tagboard.com/ps10sw
http://tagboard.com/ps10st
Parents use hashtags during school-wide events

7. 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

8. Parent reaching out...
both A.P. & I respond
Making personal
connections before Open
School Night

9. Showcasing teachers
continual learning...
Colleagues supporting
colleagues...

10. Parents engaging through technology & social media

11. Our City Councilman tweeting appreciation for our PTA the full community, beyond just the “school community”

12. 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

13. 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...

14. Technology...
Integrated. Ingrained. Instinctual. Invaluable.
Engaged.
Communications & community are built, most
solidly, when the methods are natural &
useful...