1. The Digital Parent
NJASA’s Techspo 2014
Session Site: tinyurl.com/techspo2014
Alicia (Discepola) Mackall
#DigitalParent
Educational Technology Specialist
Millville Public Schools
Twitter: @AliciaMackall

2. First Things First…
 Backchannel: Twitter #DigitalParent
 This presentation and additional
resources are available at
tinyurl.com/techspo2014
#DigitalParent

3. Let’s Consider…
 Who’s your audience?
o Internet access
o Language barriers
 Difference in delivery based on importance
 Accessibility
 Legality
 Ownership/ responsibility
#DigitalParent

4. Website




Ease of use, simple navigation, quick links
Powerful search function
Design
Content (current, complete)
o Calendar
 Interactivity, encourage communication
 Additional considerations: site accessibility,
multiple languages, responsibility…
#DigitalParent

5. Accessibility
#DigitalParent

6. Language
#DigitalParent

7. Internet Access
 Open lab in district
 Partner with local library/ community center
 Promote affordable Internet options
#DigitalParent

8. App
 Most relevant links
 Ease of use
#DigitalParent

9. 2 Way Communication
 Solicit data from your families, survey
parents
 Multiple ways for parents to provide
feedback and communicate
 Evaluate current forms of communication
 Ongoing transparency
#DigitalParent

10.  Dedicated number for parents
 Voicemail transcript
 Call forwarding
#DigitalParent

11. Text Messaging





Celly
Remind 101
School Messenger
Kiku Text
Sendhub
#DigitalParent

12. Social Networking
 Social networking is top Internet activity
#DigitalParent

13. social media
Know Your Audience
1. Facebook
2. Twitter
3. Pinterest
4. Instagram
1. Facebook
2. Instagram
3. Twitter
4. Snapchat
#DigitalParent

14. Twitter
 Official account
 Hashtag
 Make regular
Storify available
Photo credit: @drgentile_mps
#DigitalParent

15. Facebook
 Remains most used social network
 Promote important info
#DigitalParent

16. Blog
#DigitalParent

17. Instagram
#DigitalParent

18. Photo Sharing
#DigitalParent

19. Social Bookmarking
 Pinterest
• Board for press coverage
• Helpful resources
#DigitalParent

20. Videos
 Student taught tutorials, lessons
 Announcements, special events
#DigitalParent

21. In Your Face
Skype/ Facetime/ Google Hangout
 Parent Teacher Conferences
 In class lessons
 Meetings
#DigitalParent

22. Live Streaming
 Performing arts, sports, special
events
 Parent/ teacher committee
meetings
#DigitalParent

23. Parent Portals
 Gradebooks
 Additional Sites
 Tutorial videos, step-by-step guides,
training sessions, students can teach
#DigitalParent

24. Promote School(s)
 Brand your district/ school
 Tell your story
 Advertise events, opportunities
#DigitalParent

25. Take Control
 Paint the picture
#DigitalParent

26. more to think about
We like our info…
 Consistent
 Convenient
 Visual
 Quick
#DigitalParent

27. Learn from Others
#DigitalParent

28. Remember
 Make parents partners
o Two-way communication
 Multiple forms of communicationall current and complete
#DigitalParent

29. Session Site
tinyurl.com/Techspo2014
Twitter
@AliciaMackall