Google SitesA technology tool to enhance school-home communication

HOME SCHOOL

Problem

Communication between school and home is not as effective as it could be.

Papers don’t go home Phone calls don’t get returned Parents miss conferences

How can the communication between school and home become more effective?

Student Success

“Research shows that children do better in school when parents talk often with teachers and become involved in the school.”

http://urbanext.illinois.edu/succeed/communication.cfm

Importance of Home/School Communication

“Communication between home and school is an important ingredient in a child's academic and social progress. Without this ongoing and collegial communication, the "right hand" cannot be aware of what the "left hand" is doing.”

http://www.ricklavoie.com/trample.html

How can teachers/school communicate with parents?

Phone calls

Mailed notes home

Student delivered notes home

Emails

Classroom websites

Not Effective Very Effective

Google Sites: a tech tool

Google Apps for Education

EmailCalendarDocumentsVideoSites

Example

Name the Coolest Feature

What was the coolest feature of Mrs. Ardinger’s second grade classroom website?

Objectives of the TIP

Help teachers convert from text only based communication to media rich communication channel

Provide just-in-time training to teachersPoll parents in assessing the

effectiveness of web site based communication

Design

Teachers creating web site withTextPicturesVideosSound Interactive forms

What do you think?

Which has the potential for greatest effective communication between school and home?TextPicturesVideosSound Interactive forms

Design

Using the following technologyGoogle AccountsDigital cameras and camcordersDigital voice recordersLaptops or desktops

Design

Accessing the following training resourcesJing tutorialsSelf-paced instructional manual Initial face to face in service trainingAssistance through the Tech Help Desk

web siteTeacher helping teacher

Goal Accomplished

This project will be completed when all teachers are using media-rich web sites to enhance the communication between school and home.

The End

Ideas of how to use technology to improve communication between school and home?

Any questions?

Thank You!