This document discusses how blogs and online communities can help keep parents connected. It notes that new technologies enable new kinds of group formation and ways to communicate that change society. Online platforms allow parents who may not see the inside of their children's schools to still feel engaged in the school community. Blogs and online forums provide ways for busy parents to connect over common interests, workshops, events and share information, even if they can only interact digitally. They empower parents by giving their voices a platform and allowing knowledge to be exchanged through comments and dialogue.

1. Keeping Connected
Blogs & Online Communities
Aerin Guy
SpaceRace
www.gospacerace.com

3. • “when we change the way
we communicate, we
change society”
• “new technology enables
new kinds of group-
forming”

4. We are parents
• we are a community
• how do we connect?

5. message board
• the old message board
• parents may not even see the inside of the
school

6. school newsletter

7. • There’s an important note at the bottom of
this innocent looking backpack, but you
won’t see it until June.

8. why use blogs & online
communities?

9. Common Interests
• workshops
• socials
• events
• business opportunities
• volunteering
• taking action

10. People are busy
• living
• parenting
• shuttling around
• learning
• working

11. Text
People want to connect

12. • to our schools
• to other parents
• to the education “community”
• to political decisions that affect us

13. educators online

14. parents online

15. Twitter chats
• #ptchat is a weekly
conversation about
topics of importance
to parents
• http://efacetoday.blogspot.co

16. online communities
• get personal (profile)
• discussions
• create a network
• share information
• power in numbers

17. blogs
• knowledge exchange
• comments for engagement
• many voices - dialogue
• easy to set up and facilitate
• candid and human

18. What’s available to
you?
• explore your networks
• create a new one
• join one that speaks to you

25. Question Time!