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Presentation for LearnEast 2012 with tips and tools to use in engaging parents in public education.
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Tools of Engagement: A Parent’s Perspective
Jeannine St. Amandparent, connected learner
Tools of Engagement – about me– types of involvement / engagement– some tips and tools– sharing your tips and tools– parent learning– your learning– final thoughts
Caveats• The ideas that follow will not work for all parents, there will
be those without access to technology and they must be reached in other ways.
• The work of parent and family engagement goes well beyond what is explored here, we will focus only where technology may offer additional access, success or progress.
• As an advocate for student voice, I encourage you to use students to the extent possible to develop and deliver the ideas that follow.
Clouds hyperlinked to tools
Other links indicated with
blue text or shadow
people: twitter blog
tool: about.me
A free service that lets you
create a one-page website
about you and your interests.
tool: flickr group
“Great Quotes About Learning
and Change”
cc licensed photos
(started by @shareski)
"In today's fast-paced, information-based world, in which we seem to have ever less free time, it is important to develop innovative, practical, and productive ways to help parents find the time to connect with their children and communities to strengthen the bonds with their schools. Technology can be this kind of tool, by supplementing traditional learning, providing creative methods of teaching, and building and enhancing links between businesses, families, and schools. “
—Richard W. RileyU.S. Secretary of Education
1998
http://www2.ed.gov/pubs/TechStrength/intro.html
Epstein, et. al. 2002. School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, Second Edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press, Inc.
Parent Involvement
Parent Engagement
• Parent involvement focuses on the school setting the agenda and determining the roles parents will play.
• Parent engagement allows us to explore parents’ hopes and dreams for their children and work together to realize those ends.
• Moving from involvement to engagement requires us to see parents as an integral and essential part of the process. Parents must be able to use their knowledge, skills and talents.
The way Larry Ferlazzo distinguishes between parent involvement and parent engagement:
Energy source:“When we’re involving parents, ideas and energy tends to come from the schools and from government mandates. We tend to sell ideas.“
“When we’re engaging parents, ideas tend to be elicited from parents by school staff in the context of developing trusting relationships. More parent energy drives the efforts because they emerge from parent/community needs and priorities.”
Purpose:“When we’re involving parents, schools tend to focus on supporting students by strengthening and assisting school programs and priorities.”
“When we’re engaging parents, schools support students by developing parent relationships and often working with parents to improve their local communities.”
http://www.learningfirst.org/LarryFerlazzoParentEngagement
• So to be engaging parents we need have them as part of the conversation.
• You are actively allowing them to see the learning that goes on in school, AND you are encouraging them to reflect, respond, and reinforce it at home.
• Engagement is interactive and relational. Learning is open, transparent and visible.
• The tools of technology make this move from involvement to engagement easier – they allow us to connect, collaborate, and create together.
ParentingAssist families with parenting skills and setting home conditions to support children as students. Also assist school to better understand families.Tips:- express your expectations, learn about our expectations- encourage conversations with our children- use plain language, don’t overwhelm, vary the channels
ParentingAssist families with parenting skills and setting home conditions to support children as students. Also assist school to better understand families.Tools - District, school, class:website, email, blog, wiki, video, podcast
MediaSmarts Tip Sheets
CommunicatingConduct effective communications from school-to-home and from home-to-school about school programs and student progress.
Tips:-use plain language-don’t overwhelm-be consistent -be invitational-be positive
-variety-use images-ask questions-just like kids, we lose paper-respect confidentiality
CommunicatingConduct effective communications from school-to-home and from home-to-school about school programs and student progress.
Tools:school – email, website, video: info on programsclass – email, online reporting: info on progressonline surveysonline portfoliosRSS
CommunicatingConduct effective communications from school-to-home and from home-to-school about school programs and student progress.
Tools:school – email, website, video: info on programsclass – email, online reporting: info on progressblogs social mediatexting online surveysonline portfolios RSS
tool: zippslip
a cloud based (free*) tool for
online forms through computer,
tablet or phone
tool: RSS reader
many to chose from: browser
based, email based, app based
netvibes
tool: google calendar
embedded calendars that
allow user to save event
information are very
useful!
tool: youtube
parents love videos,
but keep them short!
Achievement Reporting
We want more frequent, more complete info:i.e. email based (markbook) or online marking (edline) info- be consistent
- school-wide- frequency
- but personalize- find ways to get at 21C competencies- find ways to broaden assessment language- consider online portfolios
VolunteeringOrganize volunteers and audiences to support the school and students. Provide volunteer opportunities in various locations and at various times.
Tips:- think outside the box- reinforce message of all shapes/sizes- think about competencies not just subjects
VolunteeringOrganize volunteers and audiences to support the school and students. Provide volunteer opportunities in various locations and at various times.Tools:District, school, classwebsite, email, blog, wiki, social mediaonline surveysvoip
Ideas to share?
Learning at HomeInvolve families with their children on homework and other curriculum-related activities and decisions.Tips:- how can family help- expectations (both ways)- curriculum outlines- interactive (joint) learning- outside of school learning- learn about student/family life
Learning at HomeInvolve families with their children on homework and other curriculum-related activities and decisions.
Tools: province, district, school, class
website, blog, wiki, video, podcast, email
A Parent's Guide to 21st Century Learning
What Matters Most
1. High Expectations2. Talking About School3. Attitudes and Work Habits4. Reading Together
Address each of these in every area of involvement/engagement
Decision MakingInclude families as participants in school decisions, and develop parent leaders and representatives.
Tips:- find ways to allow participation without physical presence- choice and voice are important for parents too
Decision MakingInclude families as participants in school decisions, and develop parent leaders and representatives.
Tools:District, schoolwebsite, webconference, blog, wiki, video, podcast, voip
tool: anymeeting
Free webconferencing
Collaborating with CommunityCoordinate resources and services from the community for families, students, and the school, and provide services to the community.Tips:- invitations- remote visits- parent initiated events/activities- help define the role of the Community Engagement
Coordinator positions
Collaborating with CommunityCoordinate resources and services from the community for families, students, and the school, and provide services to the community.
Tools:District, school, classwebsite, email, blog, wiki, video, podcast, social media, voip
Tips and Tools to Share?
ParentingCommunicatingVolunteeringLearning at HomeDecision MakingCollaborating with the Community
Parent learning…
As we move to a connected learning model we need to bring parents along too. Providing technology focused learning opportunities for parents is helpful. Involving students in the teaching of tech tools if very powerful.
tool: common craft
easy to understand
web2.0 videos, great
for parents
To be successful at parent engagement:
• build trusting, collaborative relationships,
• recognize, respect and address family needs and differences,
• embrace the philosophy of partnership with shared power and shared responsibility,
• make it systemic, integrated and sustained.
Your learning…
There are many people willing to share their knowledge and experience. A few who specialize in parent engagement…
Lorna Costantini
tool: issuu
a very visual digital
publishing platform
AaronPuley
tools:
hashtags #PTchat
Joe Mazza
tool: scoop.it
A web publishing platform
where users curate content on
favourite topics and share in
visual magazine format
Cautions
• This is just as new for parents as it is for teachers.• Do not be discouraged if you don’t get feedback right
away. • Build slowly• Involve the students • It is not your job alone. Expect more from the Minister,
the Department, the District, the DEC, school administration. Speak up about what needs to happen.
Why do I believe parent engagement is important? • The “system” of education we have is becoming
increasingly irrelevant, especially at the high school level. (see Disrupting Class)
• Unless we strengthen the “public” in our system we may be replaced.
• We need to create real communities and nurture real relationships.
• That is the distinct advantage that our schools have over online systems.
• Connections and relationships are what we need to focus on.
Paige Michael
twitter: @jeanninestamand
blog: www.jeanninestamand.com
Presentation slides available at slideshare:
Delicious: www.delicious.com/toolsofengagement
Linkedin: Jeannine St. Amand
