Lesson: Building Bridges with Parents Through Technology Integration EDTECH 541 Created by: Gillian Riley Instructional

Technology Coach Savannah Chatham County Public School System Introduction: In this lesson teachers will watch the video Building Bridges with Parents and develop a plan to increase their communication with their students guardians. Content Area: Technology Integration, Professional Duties & Responsibilites Objectives: Teachers will increase their strategies for communication with parents a minimum of one digital innovation. Standards Address: NETS-T #3 Model Digital Age Work and Learning Teachers exhibit knowledge, skills, and work processes representative of an innovative professional in a global and digital society. 1) Demonstrate fluency in technology systems and the transfer of current knowledge to new technologies and situations 2) Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation 3) Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats Relative Advantage: Teachers will automate process for mass parent communication, and/or utilize a digital contact system to track parent communication. Timeline: 30 minutes + homework and one month tracking assignment. Materials: Computer with Internet connection. Other options include software for emailing, blogging, website creation, wikis, Twitter, or other communication applications.

Grouping Strategies: The initial inventory is an individual activity. The video can be watched as a whole group or on individual computers. The discussion portion should be in groups of no more than 5 teachers. Learning Activities: Teachers will complete the following activities. 1. Complete a Parent Communication Inventory Checklist. 2. Watch the video Building Bridges with Parents. 3. Discuss and create list of concerns around increased parent communication. 4. Discuss and create a list of benefits of increased parent communication. 5. Compare and contrast the two lists. 6. Read through a short overview of various parent communication tools. 7. Select 3 to research further. 8. Homework: Select one method based on research to incorporate into regular practice. Track the number of parent communication via this method for one month. Assessment: Demonstration of an additional communication path with parents and records of one month of communications. Adaptations: Will be made based on the individual circumstances of the sight, team needs, and available resources. References: National Education Technology Standards (2007). NETS-T Standards. ISTE. Retrieved from http://www.iste.org/standards.aspx