Notes, slides, links from Using Social Media to Provide a Menu of Home-School Communication Offerings

1. Using Social Media to Provide a
Menu of Communication Offerings
Dr. Joe Mazza!
leadlearner.com!
April 9, 2014 at 2:15-3:30PM!
Duke Convention - Room 200!

2. Today’s Resource Links
• On Twitter? Use #FCEconf14 to share your learning today
• My website: Leadlearner.com
• Visit slideshare.net (search “fceconf14” or “Joe Mazza”) to find
all slides & links shared in today’s session.
Other Resources:
• Knapp Elementary School Wiki - knappwiki.wikispaces.com
• Knapp Elementary App (Apple/Android)

3. My work
• Father to Mark, Husband to Lauren
• K-12 Director for Connected Teaching, Learning &
Leadership (NPSD) Follow #nped
• Former Lead Learner at Knapp Elementary School (NPSD)
• “Principals’ Use of Social Media To Communicate Between
Home & School” University of Pennsylvania, May 2013
• Blogger: Edutopia, Connected Principals, Parent
Involvement Matters, Smartblogs, LeadLearner.com
• National Family Engagement Consultant
• PennGSE Innovation Coach for Ed.D. / M.Ed. Programs
• Weekly Lead #PTchat Moderator on Twitter
• Weekly #PTchat Radio Host (iTunes)

4. 3 COMMON THEMES THAT RUN THROUGHOUT
4

5. NO WHERE ELSE I’D RATHER BE

7. Creating partnerships we’d want for our own kids
7

8. Commodore 64 kid
#fceconf14

9. #fceconf14

10. Connecting Schools in a Digital Age
#FCEconf14

11. #FCEconf14

12. Hubbard Woods School (K-4)!
Winnetka, Illinois
Supporting Post: 3 investment good
leaders make in creating other leaders
#fceconf14

15. Community-building
through technology
WGST - Hubbard Woods
Supporting Publication: Methods
That Matter II (2005)
#fceconf14

16. COMMUNITY - BUILDING
Collaborative!
Transparent!
Relationship-driven!
Builds trust!
Implemented with (not to)!
Partnership and shared
#fceconf14

17. COMMUNITY -
BUILDING
Collaborative!
Transparent!
Relationship-driven!
Builds trust!
Implemented with (not to)!
Partnership and shared
!
8
Partners in Education: A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships
Figure 2: The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships
THE
CHALLENGE
FAMILY
AND STAFF
CAPACITY
OUTCOMES
Lack of opportunities
for School/
Program Staff to
build the capacity
for partnerships
School and Program
Staff who can
• Honor and recognize
families’ funds of
knowledge
• Connect family
engagement to
student learning
• Create welcoming,
inviting cultures
Families who
can negotiate
multiple roles
• Supporters
• Encouragers
• Monitors
• Advocates
• Decision Makers
• Collaborators
Lack of
opportunities for
Families to build
the capacity for
partnerships
Effective
Family–School
Partnerships
Supporting Student
Achievement
& School
Improvement
OPPORTUNITY
CONDITIONS
POLICY AND
PROGRAM
GOALS
Process Conditions
• Linked to learning
• Relational
• Development vs. service orientation
• Collaborative
• Interactive
To build and enhance the capacity of staff/families in the “4 C” areas:
• Capabilities (skills and knowledge)
• Connections (networks)
• Cognition (beliefs, values)
• Confidence (self-efficacy)
Organizational Conditions
• Systemic: across the organization
• Integrated: embedded in all
programs
• Sustained: with resources and
infrastructure
Ineffective
Family–School
Partnerships

18. !
8
Partners in Education: A Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships
Figure 2: The Dual Capacity-Building Framework for Family–School Partnerships
THE
CHALLENGE
FAMILY
AND STAFF
CAPACITY
OUTCOMES
Lack of opportunities
for School/
Program Staff to
build the capacity
for partnerships
School and Program
Staff who can
• Honor and recognize
families’ funds of
knowledge
• Connect family
engagement to
student learning
• Create welcoming,
inviting cultures
Families who
can negotiate
multiple roles
• Supporters
• Encouragers
• Monitors
• Advocates
• Decision Makers
• Collaborators
Lack of
opportunities for
Families to build
the capacity for
partnerships
Effective
Family–School
Partnerships
Supporting Student
Achievement
& School
Improvement
OPPORTUNITY
CONDITIONS
POLICY AND
PROGRAM
GOALS
Process Conditions
• Linked to learning
• Relational
• Development vs. service orientation
• Collaborative
• Interactive
To build and enhance the capacity of staff/families in the “4 C” areas:
• Capabilities (skills and knowledge)
• Connections (networks)
• Cognition (beliefs, values)
• Confidence (self-efficacy)
Organizational Conditions
• Systemic: across the organization
• Integrated: embedded in all
programs
• Sustained: with resources and
infrastructure
Ineffective
Family–School
Partnerships

19. Collaborate by default
Shared problem !
Shared action plan!
Shared research !
Shared actions!
Shared next steps!
Shared parents’ perspectives!
#fceconf14

20. Image credit: http://www.secularstudents.org
Family engagement insanity = continuing
to expect parents to come to us...
#fceconf14

21. Schools Must Meet Parents Where They
Are If They Are Committed to Building &
Maintaining Home-School Partnerships
• 180,000 people sign up for Twitter accounts each day. 70% of these sign-
ups are aged 18-35. (Pew Internet Study, 2012)
Supporting Post - Case for eFACE #fceconf14

22. Where to begin?

23. Invest in Communication Without
Technology
Beyond the Bakesale (2007) - Four Core Beliefs
#fceconf14

24. FACE
Family And Community Engagement
Dr. Joyce Epstein
Dr. Karen Mapp
Dr. Anne Henderson
Dr. Steve Constantino
The research is robust.
#fceconf14

25. Welcome. Honor. Respect.
#FCEconf14

26. TABLE TALK
In 2 minutes, share 1 (bad) to 5
(good) on the level of buy-in,
capacity for FCE currently at
your school and/or district.
Why?

27. Get Connected
...See through the lens of those already using these tools!
#fceconf14

28. Joined Twitter in 2011 !
as @Joe_Mazza
10 Family Engagement
Rock Stars to Follow TODAY
@LarryFerlazzo – ESL teacher
@gpescatore25 – Parent
@FCEnetwork via IEL
@Cybraryman1 – Retired educator
@TonySinanis – Lead Learner
@sirotiak02 - Teacher
@ptaswilson - PTA
@DrJoeClark - Supt
@DrSteveConstantino – Supt
@7MrsJames – Teacher in AU
Image credit: coroflot.com
Supporting Post - Parents’ Guide to Twitter

29. Social media based professional
development is now available where
teacher preparation and educational
leadership programs miss the mark. !
#fceconf14

30. Family engagement +!
Technology integration =!
Collaborative transparency
#fceconf14

31. If we’re serious about collaborating we’re using
collaborative tools by default.
#fceconf14

32. Weekly Hashtag Chats
#fceconf14

34. #PTchat (Parent-Teacher Chats)
Wednesdays at 6PM PST

35. #PTchat (Parent-Teacher Chats)
Wednesdays at 6PM PST
Inside a “ptchat”
#fceconf14

36. #PTchat (Parent-Teacher Chats)
Wednesdays at 6PM PST
Impact

37. #PTchat (Parent-Teacher Chats)
Wednesdays at 6PM PST
Reach
*Not pictured Australia, India, UK, France, Germany, Finland, Turkey, Spain, China, Netherlands

38. The official state hashtag map
#ohedchat

39. Meets virtually every Monday night at 9PM CST
Supporting Post: The origin of #ohedchat by Jeremy Evans
#fceconf14

40. LIVE to the field…
Listen as school leaders share
their social media use using

42. TABLE TALK
In 2 minutes, share how you
might leverage social media to
learn from each other, “move
the needle” for yourself &
others.

43. Ongoing Face to Face Two-Way Communications
Four Core Beliefs (Henderson & Mapp, 2008)
Email Distribution List
Family Engagement Wiki
Home & School 2.0Twitter
Text Alerts
“Mobile App”?
PollEverywhere
Skype Parent-Teacher Conferences
Remind 101 - Text Alerts
A “MENU” of communications grown over time
Google Voice/Text line

44. Shared eFACE !
Efforts Implemented
@KnappElementary
#fceconf14

45. • Supporting Post - Home & School 2.0
• Average parent-teacher-community attendance = 43 (pre live feed option =
13) for monthly home and school meetings
anymeeting.com

46. • “Meet Families Where They Are”
• What does that mean for your school?

47. • Plant the seeds. Provide ongoing training for parents &
teachers.
Overlay Tool: Twitterfall

48. Supporting Post - 12 Reasons to Get your School Tweeting

49. “@KnappElementary: @MissMorrison’s students read their newly
published eBooks to 2nd grade buddies today & will share them
with their family tonight!”
dinner table
Tell me about this book
you published.
Supporting Post - 5 Ways Being Connected Helps My Students

50. Supporting Post: #EdCamp Comes to @KnappElementary
#EdCamp style PD comes to @KnappElementary

51. 2013 Keynote!
Dr. Adam Berman!
2012 Keynote !
Melissa Bilash (@MomCongressPA)"
VISIT PARENTCAMP.ORG!

55. TABLE TALK
In 2 minutes, which ideas will
you bring back to your school?
What capacities need to be
built with staff/ families?

56. • How Do You Know What Forms of
Communication YOUR Parents Are
Using For Work & Home?
#fceconf14

57. • ASK THEM in multiple ways
Mazza, J. (2013). The Use of Social Media By School Principals To
Communicate Between Home and School.

58. Epstein’s 6 Types of Involvement
Image credit: http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/nnps_model/school/sixtypes.htm

59. Mazza, J. (2013). The Use of Social Media By School Principals To
Communicate Between Home and School.

60. Welcoming-Honoring-Respecting"
Main Lobby Components
• Welcoming front office staff
• Clocks relating to timezones of our families
• Parent Resource Center
• Parent Computer Kiosk
• Signage in top 5 languages
• Student work
• Sitting Area
• Principal’s Office

61. How do liability concerns impact
family engagement?
December 21, 2013
Winter Sing-A-Long
Gym Capacity: 626

62. Face to face two-way communication - A
foundation or “home button” for home-
school partnerships
Image credit: inspiredmamadesigns.blogspot.com
Supporting Post: Leadership “Home Button”

63. Getting Started With Social Media Checklist
1. Identify and invest in family engagement core values.
2. Become a connected educator.
3. Understand the distinct communication needs of your school families.
4. Understand the parameters.
5. Share decision-making.
Mazza, J. (2013). The Use of Social Media By School Principals To
Communicate Between Home and School.

64. Getting Started With Social Media Checklist
6. Build capacity.
7. Technology is not the answer to solving conflict.
8. Introduce new tools.
9. Offer a menu of offerings.
10. Ongoing fidelity checks are necessary.
Mazza, J. (2013). The Use of Social Media By School Principals To
Communicate Between Home and School.

65. Ongoing Face to Face Two-Way Communications
Four Core Beliefs (Henderson & Mapp, 2007)
Email Distribution List
Family Engagement Wiki
Home & School 2.0Twitter
Text Alerts
“Mobile App”?
PollEverywhere
Skype Parent-Teacher Conferences
Remind 101 - Text Alerts
Offer A “Menu” of Communications (Restaurant-Style)
Google Voice/Text line

66. How will you communicate this to families?
#fceconf14

67. “Menu” of Communications
✏ Face to Face
✏ Phone
✏ Send a note
✏ Zippslip
✏ Skype
✏ E-mail
✏ Google Text
✏ Twitter
✏ Knapp App (Apple/Android)
✏ Edmodo
✏ Home & School 2.0 Mtg
✏ H&S Facebook Page
Supporting Post - “I’m Overwhelmed with all the technology here.”
[Back to School Night Slide]

68. pennfinn13.wordpress.com
facebook.com/pennfinn13
Inside Finland’s Education System!
3/23/13 - 3/30/13!
in education March 25-29
TEACHERS - ADMIN - PARENTS - STUDENTS
Connected Learning Community

69. Family Engagement Wiki
knappwiki.wikispaces.com
Parent Perspectives
Image credit: akademifantasia.org
What Do Knapp Parents have to say
about eFACE efforts?
(Video Link)

70. How Will You Move Forward?
PLAY CLIP

71. Using Social Media to Provide a
Menu of Communication Offerings
Dr. Joe Mazza!
leadlearner.com!
April 9, 2014 at 2:15-3:30PM!
Duke Convention - Room 200!

72. (12-13 family/staff bumper sticker)
@Joe_Mazza – LeadLearner.com
Using Social Media to
Maximize Family And
Community Engagement

73. What is the impact of social media tools like
Facebook, Blogs, Instagram, Youtube, Wikis &
Twitter on home-school partnerships?
#fceconf14

74. Pre-Dissertation
Is there any research out there re: the use of
social media to connect home & school?
#nvsummit2014

75. Dissertation Debrief
Use of Social Media Tools By
School Principals to Communicate
Between Home & School
Joe Mazza, University of Pennsylvania
#fceconf14

76. ★ Qualitative Case Study Analysis
-> 3 Principals
-> 3 Parent leadership groups
-> Actual social media evidence
What works? What doesn’t? Next steps?
#fceconf14

77. FACE
Family And Community Engagement
Dr. Joyce Epstein
Dr. Karen Mapp
Dr. Anne Henderson
Dr. Steve Constantino
The research is robust.

78. eFACE
electronic Family And Community Engagement
voicemail
Email
fax machine
P.A. system
460,000 per day (Pew Internet Survey)
#fceconf14

79. Epstein’s 6 Types of Involvement
Image credit: http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/nnps_model/school/sixtypes.htm
#fceconf14

80. Epstein’s 6 Types of Involvement
Image credit: http://www.csos.jhu.edu/p2000/nnps_model/school/sixtypes.htm
#fceconf14

81. Family Engagement Core Values
1) All parents have dreams for their children and want
the best for them.
2) All parents have the capacity to support their
children's learning.
3) Parents and school staff should be equal partners.
4) The responsibility for building partnerships
between school and home rests primarily with
school staff, especially school leaders.
(Henderson & Mapp, 2007)
Image credit: http://www.howstuffworks.com
#fceconf14

82. Findings
" School principals are responsible
" Limited leadership preparation for using social media
tools
" Tools offer two-way communication by default
" Tools offer direct and immediate access to principal
" Educational “branding” occurs

83. Findings (cont.)
" Learning community can communicate in the same
conversation without being in the same room
" A true depth of how many parents utilized social media tools
to support teaching and learning is unclear
" One size does not fit all. There is a single “one tool” that all
parents use. Various “preferences” came from parents at
each of the schools studied.

84. Findings (cont.)
" Schools used social media tools to recognize,
announce, solicit feedback, remind, build relationships
and engage learning community directly and indirectly
connected to school.
" Above all, parents seek face to face, two-way
communications with respect to eye contact, tone,
empathy, respect
" Social media tools aimed to complement family
engagement efforts already in place by three schools,
not replace them.

85. Implications for Practice
It’s not about the technology
" Focus on embedding core beliefs of school, family and
community partnerships before engaging social media tools.
" How school and parent leaders can go about entering the
world of social media to engage families and the community.

86. It’s not about the tools, but the
relationships
“Technology should be like oxygen;
ubiquitous, necessary, and invisible.”
@ChrisLehmann
#fceconf14

87. Implications for Practice (cont.)
Capacity Building
" Need for University and school-based professional
development for school leaders on school, family and
community partnerships.
" Need for professional development for school leaders,
educators, parents and other learning community members
on use of social media tools

88. Implications for Practice (cont.)
One Size Does Not Fit All
" Access, home use and training needs should be identified
consistently; Per district, per school, per class.
" Schools must identify which tools work best, and which tools
parents already depend on in their personal lives. Build a “menu
of communication offerings” to “meet parents where they are.”