This document discusses using social media to improve classroom and school communications. It begins by introducing the author, Jason Neiffer, a doctoral student studying curriculum and instruction. It then provides examples of different social media platforms that schools can use, such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr. The document emphasizes that ignoring social media means losing a major communication channel with parents, community members, and taxpayers. It concludes by offering tips for a social media strategy, such as making it an assignment and accepting it as a public relations strategy.

1. Using Social Media to Improve
Classroom and School
Communications
Jason Neiffer
Doctoral Student, Curriculum & Instruction
the University of Montana
@techsavvyteach

2. Paperless Handouts:
http://www.workshophandouts.com/blackfootsocialmedia

3. con·ver·gence
the occurrence of two or more
things coming together

4. Joe Logan

5. Image: Allen Avenue School

6. Image: UCSF School of Pharmacy

7. 13th Street Studio

8. Jason Neiffer

23. So, what?

24. Ignoring social media means
shutting down a potentially massive
channel of communication to
parents, community members and
tax payers!

25. ...or else?

30. Simple Rules
for Success
Social media presence should be
planned; messaging is important
Accurate, up-to-date information beats
our function; function beats out form
Unofficial presences are as important as
official channels
Student voice is as important as adult
voice

31. Low-Hanging Fruit

32. School Websites

33. http://jasonlinks.net/6

34. Classroom
Websites

35. http://jasonlinks.net/7

36. Blogging Platforms:
Serverside Content
EduBlogs, KidBlogs, Blogger,
Management Systems (CMS):
Blog.com, TypePad, Jux,
Wordpress, Joomla, Drupal,
Tumblr, Posterous, Weebly,
PHP Nuke
LiveJournal
Simple: Other Platforms:
Coded website, School Wires Wikispaces, Google Sites
Options

37. Social Media
Options

38. Facebook

39. http://jasonlinks.net/8

40. Twitter

41. http://jasonlinks.net/9

42. Media Channels:
YouTube & Flickr

43. http://jasonlinks.net/a

44. School Happening: School Photos:
Guest Speakers, Assemblies, Albums from School Events,
School Events, School Plays, Classroom Projects, Field
Graduation, Concerts, Sports Grips
Events
Encourage Engagement:
Video:
Fundraising, School Event
Clips from Events, Sports,
Announcement, Pro-Levy
Projects
Messages
Content?

45. Strategery
Make social media an assignment
for staff (or students); don’t
assume it will just get done
Accept social media as public
relations stategy