The document discusses the importance of effective communication between schools and homes for student success and ways to enhance this communication using technology, particularly Google Sites. It highlights the limitations of traditional communication methods and proposes a media-rich approach to engage parents with tools like emails, videos, and interactive forms. The goal is for all teachers to utilize these media-rich websites to improve engagement and communication with parents.

1. Google Sites
A technology tool to enhance
school-home communication
HOME SCHOOL

2. Problem
Communication between school and home
is not as effective as it could be.
 Papers don’t go home
 Phone calls don’t get returned
 Parents miss conferences
How can the communication between
school and home become more
effective?

3. Student Success
“Research shows that children do better
in school when parents talk often with
teachers and become involved in the
school.”
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/succeed/communication.cfm

4. Importance of Home/School
Communication
“Communication between home and
school is an important ingredient in a
child's academic and social progress.
Without this ongoing and collegial
communication, the "right hand" cannot
be aware of what the "left hand" is
doing.”
http://www.ricklavoie.com/trample.html

5. How can teachers/school
communicate with parents?
Phone calls
Mailed notes
home
Student
delivered
notes home
Emails
Classroom
websites
Not Effective Very Effective

6. Google Sites: a tech tool

7. Google Apps for Education
Email
Calendar
Documents
Video
Sites
Example

8. Name the Coolest Feature
What was the coolest feature of Mrs.
Ardinger’s second grade classroom
website?

9. Objectives of the TIP
Help teachers convert from text only
based communication to media rich
communication channel
Provide just-in-time training to teachers
Poll parents in assessing the
effectiveness of web site based
communication

10. Design
Teachers creating web site with
Text
Pictures
Videos
Sound
Interactive forms

11. What do you think?
Which has the potential for greatest
effective communication between school
and home?
Text
Pictures
Videos
Sound
Interactive forms

12. Design
Using the following technology
Google Accounts
Digital cameras and camcorders
Digital voice recorders
Laptops or desktops

13. Design
Accessing the following training
resources
Jing tutorials
Self-paced instructional manual
Initial face to face in service training
Assistance through the Tech Help Desk
web site
Teacher helping teacher

14. Goal Accomplished
This project will be completed when all
teachers are using media-rich web sites
to enhance the communication between
school and home.

15. The End
Ideas of how to use technology to
improve communication between school
and home?
Any questions?
Thank You!