The Transformational Power of Social Media

We live in a connected world. No longer can we hide behind face-to-face conferences, paper newsletters, and handwritten notes. Families want to be connected to schools. Parents send schools their precious gems. They want to know what is happening. They want to be involved. How do we capatilize on this desire to be connected? 

The book, Why Social Media Matters, written by Kitty Porterfield and Meg Carnes, provides examples of how different schools make connections using technology. On page forty-one, Porterfield provides seven strategies for improving communication using technology. The strategies are: listen first, employees are first customers, segment your audiences, customer services is important, repeat important messages, give permission to fail, and use all available tools. All of these strategies seem simple, yet they combine to create a powerful approach to making connections.

I plan to use the seven strategies as a framework to build connections in my school. Modeling the strategies will also be important. When working with families, students, and staff I will need to remember to process interactions through the lens of the strategies.

This is a book I see myself coming back to and referencing as I continue down the path of educational leadership,

How do you use social media to connect to with your school community?

Moving forward

As I learn more about using technology to improve student learning, I can clearly see the need for a plan. I need to make a plan for myself. Many articles and books on the topic of using technology in schools speak to the need for the leader to be a role model. If I am asking others to try out new technology, I too must do the same thing. There are many excuses as to why I do not have the time to try new technologies, but they are just that, excuses. So, the first step in my plan for implementing technology usage would be to stop making excuses. My next step would be to set aside a fifteen minute block in the morning and in the afternoon to monitor and check my Twitter feed and Facebook posts, read new information from my Feedly account, refine my LinkedIn account, and update my blog. I also plan to use this time to look for additional technology to learn and explore, and connect with professional educators and research. These simple steps align with NETS A Standard 3d which reads, " stay abreast of educational research and emerging trends regarding effective use of technology and encourage evaluation of new technologies for their potential to improve student learning." 

As a new staff member, I plan to seek out teachers at my new school who use technology in the classroom. I want to see what programs and devices they use, and who they are being used. My hope is to build a give and take relationship to support and encourage each other.

To sum up my long post, I plan to stop making excuses, intentionally schedule daily tech time for myself, and find co-workers willing to talk tech with me. Wish me luck. 

Connectedness

Many schools are excited to join then movement pushing to put technology into the hands of students. Some schools are allowing students to bring divides from home (BYOD) while others want schools to purchase devices for students. Allowing each student to have his or her own district purchased device (1:1). 

This movement has been problematic. Schools have purchased new technology and infrastructure, yet neglected to support teacher training. In the article, A Culture of Innovation,  Pautz shares ways two schools approached this problem. The schools focused on teachers. The professional development was teacher led. Teachers were even asked to share three minute clips regarding technology usage at staff meetings. Technology was embedded in the school culture and used by everyone. The examples in Pautz are supported by Alan November in his article Why Schools Must Move Beyond One-to-One Computing. According to November, it is important to "Ensure that technology is not seen as a new initiative, but as integral to curriculum." So often the technology and not the actions and learning are the focus when technology is brought into school. 

Using NETS A Standard 1, as a guide I would work with my staff to create an urgency. Why should we be using technology? How can technology help refine classroom practice and address our teaching standards? I will need to model technology usage, provide just in time training embedded in staff development, and allow teachers time and grace to explore and learn. If I was leading a transition to 1:1 o BYOD this is where I would start. 

What have you seen impede the implementation of 1:1 or BYOD initiatives?

Who are we?

What kind of TV do you own? What made you purchase your TV? Was it the brand, the price, or something else? Companies work hard to cultivate and grow their brand. This is an idea public education seems to forget. We are a brand.

For too long we have sat back and allowed others to tell our story. It is time to make some change. Like the article, The Brand Called You, suggests I feel I need to create my own brand. I need to identify the things that set me apart from everyone else, what do I want to be known for?

These ideas and questions are very important in the education world. Education is very interconnected. You never know who has connections with whom. If you don't have a constant brand, that will get out quickly and you will lose credibility. As an educational leader I need to be intentional when creating my personal brand.

Branding your school is also important. If you are not out sharing who you are as a school and what you value, someone else will do it for you. When creating websites, blogs, tweets, or Facebook posts you need to remember to align them to your school brand.

When working on creating your school brand NETS A Standard 2 is a good starting point. With a focus on modeling, learning-centered environments, creating and promoting digital-age learning culture, rigor, and relevance, this would be a good conversation started with staff.

How do you think brands could be used to positively impact public schools?

Formative Assessment

We have all been in the classroom and seen the impact formative assessment has on student achievement. Formative assessments are also a powerful tool when refining my craft as a teacher. I found great video examples and blogs on the Teaching Channel website. When creating a unit outline, how do you plan for formative assessments?

If you want to check out the Teaching  Channel resources, go to https://www.teachingchannel.org/blog/author/cmursky/

Communication, public relations, and branding in schools

.Today I read chapters 5, 6, and 7 from the book Digital Leadership. In this book the author, Eric Sheninger, provides examples of technology integration in schools and ways schools should used technology to connect and communicate with families, community members, and students. 

As I was reading it became clear to me that other leaders have transformed their schools through the use of technology. I don't need to blaze the trail alone. I need to reach out, connect, and seek guidance from others who have gone through the process before. 

To be a digital leader I must first identify underlying fears and misconceptions people may have regarding technology and social media. I will need to look at the resources in my school and what changes need to happen. Then I will need to make a plan to address concerns and resource allocation. Relationships will also need to be built in order to improve school culture.

To avoid legal situations my public relations plan needs to include a media waiver which would allow me to share information related to students. I need to be proactive and share the story of my school. Monitoring my own efforts will be important. Hosting trainings, and modeling effective use of social media can take time. I will need to set boundaries to address time limitations in my schedule. I have the  tendency  to overcommit and wear down. 

The pillars of digital leadership: communication, public relations, branding, student engagement, professional growth, re-in visioning earning spaces,and environments, and opportunity, all need to be part of my plan. All of the pillars work together and require constant attention.

All of the things I've written align with ISTE Standards-A. well. I need to stay informed about trends in technology, model and promote collaboration and communication among groups, and use time to go over the addreses the need for technological professional development.

Chapters 3 and 4

Sheninger states, " Those who embrace change and experience success should be celebrates, honored, and commended." (Pg. 59) This made me think of the video below. How will you encourage the first follower who helps you start your technology revolution.