Whilst creating this blog, I have been thinking of ways in which a practitioner could use technology to help communicate with parents and children.
'New technologies have engendered new work and social practices that have profoundly changed the ways that we do things in our lives, yet schools seem to remain immune to change and maintain a heritage curriculum that was founded in a different age for a different set of circumstances and purposes.' (Yelland, N. et al 2008)
I think it is vital in schools that technology is embedded within all subjects, and not seen as an extra subject.
I use technology everyday to communicate with my friends through Facebook.
SO... why not incorporate these social networking sites into communicating with parents and using social media within education?
If 1,310,000,000 active users visit Facebook each month, it is a brilliant way to raise the profile of your school or club. (Facebook, 2014)
For example, a page or account could be created by the teacher, this can be updated regularly with images of the children's good work completed in class, images of children on class trips or in class having fun, or important information that parents might need to know. These facebook pages can be used by prospective parents as well as current parents, and they are often a good way to gauge the ethos of the school rather than a dry ESTYN report. In secondary schools the Facebook pages could provide examples of grades A* work to help pupils with their own coursework.
I believe that using social media, which can be updated quickly, free of charge and can be checked my most parents on a smart phone instantly, is a great idea.
The accounts can be kept private so only parents of the class can be added and accepted, and therefore only those individuals can view the pictures.
However, terms and conditions state that: "We Can Do Anything We Want With Your Content. Forever." This highlights the major problem with Facebook, its security and code of ethics. Obviously this will have to be taken very seriously when used in a educational context.
However, in higher education where adults can make their own decisions, it has been really useful for example, I have joined a Facebook Group for my university course.
In eduation from year 10 upwards, a teacher creating a secure facebook page could use it as a method to provide support beyond the confines of a classroom. The advantage of using this method over email is that a child may find it less intimidating and is more public and appropriate for the teacher.
Facebook. (2014, January 7). Facebook Statistics. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from Statistic Brain: http://www.statisticbrain.com/facebook-statistics/
Twitter. (2014, July 11). Twitter Statistics. Retrieved November 30, 2014, from Statistic Brain: http://www.statisticbrain.com/twitter-statistics/
Yelland, N. et al (2008) Rethinking learning in Early Childhood Education, Maidenhead: OUP
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