Big Tent is an online social networking tool that allows users to create groups, share files and photos, have discussion forums, and add events to a calendar. The document discusses how Big Tent could be used by schools and Parent Teacher Associations to communicate updates and information to parents and students. Overall, the author believes Big Tent is a useful free tool for classrooms and parent organizations due to its easy navigation, security, and variety of collaborative features.

1. Assignment #3
Ed 4767
Big Te n t

2. Big Tent
Tool Description:
Big Tent is an online social networking tool that combines social
networking features with management tools. It is a platform available for
family-friendly organizations.
Big Tent members can create, and join, groups. Within groups you can
create subgroups, start discussion forums, add events to an interactive
calendar, and share photos and files.
It is a free, private, and secure website that requires login for access.
www.bigtent.com

3. Big Tent
Classroom Implications:
I found out this site was used quite often by PAT committees. I think this is a
wonderful idea as teachers and schools could post upcoming deadlines and
useful information all in one place. If a parent or student needed to know
something about the school, they could find everything in one central location
which is very convenient. This is helpful in keeping parents informed, while at
the same time catering to varying schedules of families.
I really liked the interactive calendar which can be updated and shared with
members of the group. This would be great for homework due dates, and
upcoming activities.
This site could be used in a way similar to how we use Moodle. Students and
teachers can upload files, and participate in discussion forums.

4. Big Tent
Pros: Free! Website is easy to navigate as there are headings
for every part of the site. Many useful features that seem to all
function well. Members can participate in forums on the site or
reply through email. Admins can determine the members
access level to the site. Easy to use.
Cons: To be honest I couldn’t find very many bad points to
this website. The only troubles I experienced were when I tried
to sign up for the site, it seemed to glitch and wouldn’t allow
me to access the signup page. Eventually it did work, but it took
a few minutes.

5. Big Tent
Concluding Opinion:
I actually really like the idea of using this site for PAT,
or parent-teacher relations. It is a great site because it
is free, easy to use, and private. Students could also
benefit from the interactive calendar and discussion
forums. I would be interested in trying this tool out in
a classroom, and discovering all of the purposes a site
like this could serve.