SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1

Social Media as an Option for Parent-Teacher Communication

Jill Weaver and Tasha Wilcke-Klein
University of Colorado enver




!"T# $%&'
(aura Summers
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 2
Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................................3
Purpose and Intended Audience................................................................4
Research Questions.............................................................................4
Context of Study................................................................................5
Literature Review...............................................................................6
Literature Review Questios............................................................................................... 6
Literature Sear!" Pro!e#ures............................................................................................... 6
Literature Review Fi#i$s................................................................................................. 7
Youth Practices............................................................................................................ 7
Educational Uses for Social Media................................................................................... 8
Communicating with Stakeholders.................................................................................. 11
Qua%it& o' Literature....................................................................................................... 12
(a) i Literature........................................................................................................... 13
Su**ar&..................................................................................................................... 13
Methods........................................................................................13
Et"i!a% Pro!e#ures......................................................................................................... 14
Data !o%%e!tio *et"o#s................................................................................................... 14
S!"e#u%e...................................................................................................................... 15
C"e!+s 'or Ri$or........................................................................................................... 16
Research Findings/Survey Resuts............................................................16
Frequency and Type of Communication....................................................................16
So!ia% Me#ia Use........................................................................................................... 18
Advantage and !iadvantage of "ing #ocia$ %edia.............................................1&
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Media for Home-School Communication seen !
Parent Partici"ants..................................................................................................... 19
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Social Media for Home-School Communication seen !
#eacher Partici"ants................................................................................................... 20
O,servatios o' Tea!"er Sites............................................................................................ 22
Comparion of 'eearc( to t(e )iterature 'evie*....................................................23
Li*itatios................................................................................................................... 24
I!pications.................................................................................... 24
Concusion.....................................................................................26
References.....................................................................................28
Appendix A....................................................................................30
Literature Review Lo$.................................................................................................... 3+
Appendix "....................................................................................33
So!ia% Me#ia O,servatio )roto!o%..................................................................................... 33
Appendix C....................................................................................38
Surve& Per*issio For*.................................................................................................. 38
Appendix #....................................................................................39
Surve&s....................................................................................................................... 3&
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -
Introduction
E#u!atio tru%& is a s"are# res)osi,i%it&. a# tea!"ers ee# to #o t"eir ,est to ivo%ve
)arets i t"e )ro!ess/ Co**ui!ati$ wit" )arets is ite$ra% 'or a !%assroo* tea!"er/ E)stei
011123 "i$"%i$"te# e''e!tive 'or*s o' two-wa& !o**ui!atio ,etwee tea!"ers a# )arets as
oe o' si4 +e& 'or*s o' ivo%ve*et essetia% 'or stu#et %eari$ a# #eve%o)*et/ E)stei5s
t"eor& o' overla""ing s"heres of influence su$$ests t"at stu#et su!!ess is re%ate# to !o"esio
a# !o**ui!atio wit"i t"e s"are# !ote4ts o' "o*e. s!"oo%. a# !o**uit&/ 6"i%e *a&
e#u!ators are !o**ui!ati$ wit" )arets t"rou$" tra#itioa% *e#ia %i+e e*ai%. ews%etters. a#
te%e)"oe. "ow is t"e !o**uit& o' t"e !%assroo* a# s!"oo% i!or)orate# ito t"is itera!tio7
As tea!"ers servi$ at t"e )ri*ar& s!"oo% %eve%. we #o our ,est to +ee) )arets u) to #ate
o t"e "a))ei$s o' t"e !%assroo* a# o t"e %eari$ t"at is ta+i$ )%a!e/ Tra#itioa%%&. we
"ave a!!o*)%is"e# t"is ,& !reati$ ews%etters. e-*ai%i$ or )osti$ t"e* o our we,sites. a#
*a+i$ "ar# !o)ies 'or )arets w"o ee# or re8uest t"e*/ 6"i%e ews%etters are t"e sta#ar#
*eas o' "o*e-s!"oo% !o**ui!atio. t"e& !a ,e ti*e-!osu*i$ 'or )arets to rea#/
A##itioa%%&. it !a ,e 'rustrati$ 'or tea!"ers to 'ie%# 8uestios 'ro* )arets a,out i'or*atio
t"at "as ,ee i t"e ews%etters. so*eti*es *u%ti)%e ti*es/ T"is %ea#s us to ,e%ieve t"at
o'teti*es. t"e ews%etters are ot ,ei$ rea#/ As !a#i#ates 'or *aster5s #e$rees i I'or*atio
a# Leari$ Te!"o%o$ies at CU Dever. our $oa% was to 'i# a use'u% #i$ita% too% t"at e"a!es
!o**ui!atio a# i!reases e$a$e*et ,etwee )arets a# tea!"ers/ Ca so!ia% *e#ia a#
rea% ti*e !o**ui!atio ,etter ea,%e tea!"ers to rea!" out to )arets a# !reate i'or*e#
!%assroo* !o**uities to ,etter 'use t"e over%a))i$ s)"eres7 Is t"ere a so!ia% *e#ia too% t"at
is ,etter 'or t"is )ur)ose7 6e sou$"t to aswer t"is 8uestio a# i t"e )ro!ess 'ou# our
resear!" )ro*)te# *ore 8uestios/ 6"at #o )arets a# e#u!ators t"i+ a,out usi$ so!ia%
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 9
*e#ia as a 'or* o' !o**ui!atio7 How are e#u!ators usi$ so!ia% *e#ia to !o**ui!ate wit"
)arets7
Purpose and Intended Audience
T"e )ur)ose o' our a!tio resear!" was to o,serve a# aa%&:e t"e too%s tea!"ers are
!urret%& usi$ to u)#ate t"eir stu#ets5 'a*i%ies a,out t"e %eari$ t"at is $oi$ o i t"e
!%assroo*. a# to see "ow !o**ui!atios !ou%# ,e e"a!e# usi$ so!ia% *e#ia/ A##itioa%%&.
we were ea$er to +ow w"at )arets see as a#vata$es a# #isa#vata$es o' *ovi$ towar#s t"e
use o' so!ia% *e#ia as a )otetia% 'or* o' !o**ui!atio/ Our resear!" was !o#u!te# ,&
o,servi$ a variet& o' e#u!ator5s )ro'essioa% Fa!e,oo+. Twitter. a# (oo$%e sites a# t"rou$"
surve&s wit" 'rie#s a# !o-wor+ers w"o are )arets a#;or tea!"ers/ T"e resear!" was s"are#
wit" our istru!tor a# !%ass*ates at CU Dever a# wi%% ,e use'u% to s"are wit" our )eer
tea!"ers as we%%/
Research Questions
As we ,e$a to !ote*)%ate t"e ,est wa&s to !o**ui!ate wit" )arets t"at wou%# ,e
,ot" e''i!iet 'or tea!"ers a# i'or*ative 'or stu#ets a# t"eir 'a*i%ies. t"e 8uestio t"at
$ui#e# our i8uir& was. <6"at so!ia% *e#ia too% wi%% i!rease !o**ui!atio a# e$a$e*et
,etwee )arets. stu#ets. a# tea!"ers at t"e e%e*etar& %eve%7= As tea!"ers. we wo#ere# i'
*a+i$ a !"a$e i our )ra!ti!e towar#s a *ore itera!tive 'or* o' !o**ui!atio wou%# "e%)
)ro*ote t"e !o**uit& 'ee% o' our !%assroo*s/ A##itioa%%&. we wo#ere# i' rea%-ti*e
*essa$i$ wou%# ,e *ore a))ea%i$ to our sta+e"o%#ers/ To "e%) us aswer t"is 8uestio. we
a%so resear!"e#. <6"at so!ia% *e#ia too%s are !urret%& ,ei$ use# ,& tea!"ers to !oe!t wit"
t"eir stu#ets a# )arets7= >& o,servi$ w"at so*e so!ia% *e#ia )a$es %oo+ %i+e. we "o)e# to
$ai a ,etter u#ersta#i$ o' t"e a#vata$es a# #isa#vata$es o' a variet& o' too%s/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 2
Context of Study
6e !o#u!te# our resear!" usi$ 'rie#s. re%atives. a# !owor+ers w"o are )arets a#;or
tea!"ers o' +-12 stu#ets. se#i$ surve& re8uests to )eo)%e wit" w"o* we "ave a%rea#&
esta,%is"e# re%atios"i)s/ It is i*)ortat 'or tea!"ers to ,e a,%e to !o**ui!ate e''i!iet%& a#
e''e!tive%& wit" )aret sta+e"o%#ers i as tras)aret wa& as )ossi,%e. w"i%e ,ui%#i$ a
!o**uit& o' %earers i w"i!" a%% )arets !a )%a& a )art/ So*eti*es )arets !a ta+e t"e ti*e
to vo%uteer i t"e !%assroo*. ,ut ot"er ti*es. t"eir s!"e#u%es *a+e it #i''i!u%t/ (ive t"at
)rite# or e*ai%e# !%assroo* ews is so*eti*es t"e o%& !ota!t a )aret wi%% "ave uti%
!o'ere!es. *a+i$ )arets 'ee% as i' t"e& are a )art o' t"e !%assroo* !o**uit& is eve *ore
essetia%/ T"e Co%ora#o De)art*et o' E#u!atio out%ies si4 Tea!"er Qua%it& Sta#ar#s. w"i!"
!over t"e e4)e!tatios o' s+i%%s tea!"ers s"ou%# )ossess a# re'ie/ Two o' t"ese s)e!i'i!a%%&
*etio t"e ivo%ve*et o' stu#et 'a*i%ies i t"eir )ra!ti!e. a# oe 'o!uses o t"e s+i%% o'
!o**ui!atio/ T"e& are as 'o%%ows?
Qua%it& Sta#ar# II. E%e*et E? Tea!"ers )rovi#e )roa!tive. !%ear. a#
!ostru!tive 'ee#,a!+ to 'a*i%ies a,out stu#et )ro$ress a# wor+ !o%%a,orative%& wit"
t"e 'a*i%ies a# si$i'i!at a#u%ts i t"e %ives o' t"eir stu#ets/
Qua%it& Sta#ar# III. E%e*et (? Tea!"ers !o**ui!ate e''e!tive%&. *a+i$
%eari$ o,@e!tives !%ear a# )rovi#i$ a))ro)riate *o#e%s o' %a$ua$e/
Qua%it& Sta#ar# A. E%e*et C? Tea!"ers a#vo!ate 'or s!"oo%s a# stu#ets.
)arteri$ wit" stu#ets. 'a*i%ies a# !o**uities as a))ro)riate 0CDE. /#/3/
Usi$ so!ia% *e#ia to itera!t wit" )arets %oo+s to ,e a e4!e%%et wa& to ot o%& *eet
t"ese sta#ar#s. ,ut to virtua%%& o)e t"e !%assroo* wa%%s. a%%owi$ ever&oe a $%i*)se ito t"eir
!"i%#5s %eari$/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION B
Literature Review
T"e )ur)ose o' writi$ t"e %iterature review was to 'i# out w"at issues "ave a%rea#&
,ee ivesti$ate# i t"is area a# to see i' t"ere is a )arti!u%ar 'or* o' so!ia% *e#ia t"at sta#s
out/ Stri$er 02C193 sa&s. <It is a%so i*)ortat to !"e!+ a variet& o' stu#ies ,e!ause si$%e
stu#ies o'te )rovi#e ia#e8uate evi#e!e u)o w"i!" to *a+e @u#$*ets= 0)/ 1213/ Reviewi$
severa% %iterature sour!es "e%)e# #eter*ie t"e stre$t"s a# wea+esses o' t"e #i''eret t&)es o'
so!ia% *e#ia t"at are avai%a,%e to e#u!ators a# !%ari'ie# "ow t"e& are use#/
Literature Review Questions
T"e 8uestio we "o)e# to aswer i our a!tio resear!" was. <Do so!ia% *e#ia too%s
i!rease !o**ui!atio a# e$a$e*et ,etwee )arets a# tea!"ers7= To "e%) us $ui#e us i
#eter*ii$ t"e i#ea% too%. we use# %iterature. o,servatios. a# surve&s to 'i# out <6"at so!ia%
*e#ia too%s are !urret%& ,ei$ use# ,& tea!"ers to !oe!t wit" t"eir stu#ets a# )arets7=
Literature Search Procedures
Usi$ ,ot" (oo$%e S!"o%ar a# t"e Auraria Li,rar&. our sear!" "i$"%i$"te# arti!%es i
A!a#e*i! OeFi%e. A!a#e*i! Sear!" Pre*ier. ERIC. S!ie!e Dire!t. a# MasterFi%e Pre*ier/ I
a atte*)t to arrow #ow t"e sear!". we %oo+e# u) i'or*atio *at!"i$ t"e 'o%%owi$ +e&
wor#s a# )"rases? <e#u!ators usi$ so!ia% *e#ia to e$a$e )arets.= <'a!e,oo+ 'or e#u!ators.=
<so!ia% *e#ia strate$ies.= <!o*)arative aa%&sis so!ia% *e#ia too%s i e#u!atio.=
<!o**ui!atio wit" twitter.= a# <so!ia% *e#ia i e#u!atio= 0A))e#i4 A3/ Ma& o' t"e
twe%ve arti!%es t"at we reviewe# 'o!use# o t"e istitutioa% a# )rivate use o' so!ia% *e#ia ,&
stu#ets. tea!"ers a# i !%assroo*s. ,ut t"e resear!" re$ar#i$ )arets5 use was s%i* to oe/
Fia%%&. usi$ t"e a*es o' s)e!i'i! +ow so!ia% *e#ia too%s wit"i (oo$%e a# t"e ter*s
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION D
<tea!"ers usi$ Fa!e,oo+= a# <tea!"ers usi$ Twitter= revea%e# *ore arti!%es 'ro* ews)a)ers
)u,%is"e# o%ie %i+e #he #elegra"h$
Literature Review Findings
$outh Practices
T"e &out" o' to#a& !oe!t wit" ea!" ot"er t"rou$" *a& #i''eret t&)es o' o%ie
etwor+s/ It %itera%%& )er*eates t"eir ever&#a& %ives/ T"e i#ea t"at so!ia% *e#ia is i*)ortat 'or
to#a&5s stu#ets was re)eate#%& su))orte# i t"e %iterature/ Davis 02C1C3 writes t"at so!ia%
etwor+i$ is "ere to sta&/ 6"e Nort" Caro%ia5s Pro@e!t E-Ne!t ,e$a. a )ro$ra* usi$
s*art)"oes #uri$ istru!tio. t"e i#ea o' stu#ets usi$ a ,%o$ to as+ t"eir tea!"ers 8uestios
see*e# ver& )%ausi,%e/ However. w"e stu#ets a%so starte# )osti$ ,%o$ ite*s a# vi#eos to
"e%) ea!" ot"er so%ve *at" )ro,%e*s. a#u%ts were sur)rise#/ >ei$ a,%e to tea!" oe aot"er is
t"e "i$"est 'or* o' *aster& o' a su,@e!t area. so t"is was 8uite e4!iti$/ Stu#ets5 use o' so!ia%
*e#ia to e4te# t"e )resetatio o' t"e se%' was a u#er%&i$ t"e*e wit"i t"e %iterature/
(o''*a5s t"eor& o' se%'-)resetatio 011213 is e4)a#e# 'or %earers to#a& w"o !a )reset
t"e*se%ves. e4)%ore ,ou#aries. a# ,ui%# re%atios"i)s wit"i iterest- a# 'rie#-#rive 'oru*s
!o**ui!ati$ t"rou$" a variet& o' *e#ia to #iverse $rou)s a# )ers)e!tives wit" %itt%e to o
ris+ 'a!tors/ Cosistet i t"is t"eor& is a%so t"e otio o' ,ou#aries a# se)aratio/ Ear% a#
Pe%u!"ette 02C113 e4a*ie# "ow stu#ets a# &ou$ a#u%ts re'erre# to as t"e <*i%%eia%
$eeratio= res)o#e# to 'rie# re8uests ,& )ro'essors. ,osses. a# )arets/ Ear% a# Pe%u!"ette
02C113 su$$este# t"at Fa!e,oo+ $ives a iti*ate view o' t"e se%' a# t"at *e*,ers o' t"e
*i%%eia% $eeratio $eera%%& were a))re"esive o' <'rie#i$= a aut"orit& 'i$ure %i+e a ,oss
or )ro'essor. ,ut were *ore %i+e%& to 'rie# a )aret/ T"e su$$estios *ai%& u#ers!ore# t"e
i#ea t"at e#u!ators <'rie#= stu#ets o%& as re!i)iets o' t"e re8uest a# %i*it a!!essi,i%it& to
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION F
)ersoa% i'or*atio/ I'or*atio re$ar#i$ eti8uette or*s 'or e#u!ators a# stu#ets5 )arets
was ot )rovi#e# wit"i t"e !ote4t o' t"e resear!"/
%ducationa &ses for Socia Media
Peers w"o ,e$i usi$ #i$ita% s)a!es 'or 'rie#s"i) a# e4)%ori$ iterests !a easi%&
trasitio to usi$ t"e* a!a#e*i!a%%&. %eari$ ot o%& 'ro* t"eir tea!"ers. ,ut a%so 'ro* ea!"
ot"er/ T"ere was so*e )res!ri)tive resear!" re$ar#i$ so!ia% etwor+i$ a# te!"o%o$& use i
istitutios to review/ Hu''*a 02C1-3 "i$"%i$"ts w"at s"e re'ers to as t"e SIMPLE *o#e% as a
te!"o%o$& )%ai$ *o#e%/ T"e SIMPLE *o#e% is *a#e u) o' si4 !o*)oets i#i!ate# 'or
8ua%it& i*)%e*etatio o' te!"o%o$& i t"e !%assroo*? <13 stu#et;sta'' assess*et. 23
ivetor&. -3 *easure*et. 93 )%ai$. 23 %ea#ers"i). a# B3 eva%uatio= 0)/ 12B3/
%ote$ Fro* <>ee'its a# )it'a%%s? Si*)%e $ui#e%ies 'or t"e use o' so!ia% etwor+i$ too%s i +-
12 e#u!atio= ,& S/ Hu''*a. 2C1-. Education. 1-9 023. )/12B/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1
6"at is ota,%& a,set i t"e a,ove *o#e% is a )aret ivo%ve*et !o*)oet/ T"is
a,se!e see*e# to ,e a t"e*e i t"e )u,%is"e# resear!"/ Eve i ter*s o' resear!" o Fa!e,oo+.
t"e %es 'o!use# o stu#et a# tea!"er ivo%ve*et/ T"e Ma!Art"ur Fou#atio !o*)%ete# a
'ive-&ear et"o$ra)"& a# )u,%is"e# its 'i#i$s i &iving and &earning with %ew Media' #he
digital !outh "ro(ect$ Oe o' t"e +e& 8uestios it sou$"t to aswer was. GHow #o t"ese )ra!ti!es
!"a$e t"e #&a*i!s o' &out"-a#u%t e$otiatios over %itera!&. %eari$. a# aut"oritative
+ow%e#$e7= 0Ito et a%/. 2CCF. )/13/ However. t"e s!o)e o' t"e i'%ue!e o' t"e a#u%t was
#eter*ie# wit"i t"eir )arti!i)atio i Giterest-#riveG a# G'rie#-#riveG etwor+e# )u,%i!s/
GI 'rie#s"i)-#rive )ra!ti!es. #ire!t a#u%t )arti!i)atio is o'te uwe%!o*e. ,ut i iterest-
#rive $rou)s we 'ou# a *u!" stro$er ro%e 'or *ore e4)erie!e# )arti!i)ats to )%a&G 02CCF. )/
-13/ T"e #ire!t ro%e o' t"e )arets a# e#u!ators was ot #e'ie#. ,ut t"e *essa$e re$ar#i$ t"e
i*)orta!e o' ew *e#ia i t"e %ives o' &out" %earers i ,ot" se%'- #ire!te# a# istru!tioa%
!ote4ts was "i$"%i$"te#. i'or*i$ our resear!" $oa% towar# )aret-tea!"er e$a$e*et/
Twitter 0or *i!ro,%o$$i$3 "as a%so ,ee stu#ie# as a )otetia% 'or* o' !o**ui!atio
t"at !ou%# e"a!e %eari$/ Twitter !a i*)rove %itera!& s+i%%s. *otivate stu#ets to itera!t a#
s"are i#eas. a# o''ers <o))ortuities 'or *ore stu#ets to e4)ress t"e*se%ves= 0Mor$a. 2C19.
)/ D23/ Mor$a 02C193 writes. <si!e e#u!ators "ave to )re)are stu#ets 'or !ir!u*sta!es t"e&
wi%% e!outer i t"e rea% wor%#. s!"oo% %ea#ers wou%# ,e irres)osi,%e i' t"e& 'ai% to *o#e% t"e
a))ro)riate use o' #i$ita% resour!es. i!%u#i$ so!ia% *e#ia= 0)/ D23/ Ito et a%/. 02CCF3 state.
Parti!i)atio i t"e #i$ita% a$e *eas *ore t"a ,ei$ a,%e to a!!ess <serious= o%ie
i'or*atio a# !u%ture/ Hout" !ou%# ,ee'it 'ro* e#u!ators ,ei$ *ore o)e to 'or*s o'
e4)eri*etatio a# so!ia% e4)%oratio t"at are $eera%%& ot !"ara!teristi! o' e#u!atioa%
istitutios 0)/ -23/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1C
Ei* O5>rie. e4e!utive e#itor o' Educate *a$a:ie. )u,%is"e# a arti!%e i #he #elegra"h
re$ar#i$ s!"oo%s a##i$ Twitter to t"eir re)ertoire o' !o%%a,oratio too%s/ S"e #is!usse#
e4a*)%es revea%i$ t"e use o' Twitter as "e%)i$ <to esta,%is" a e''e!tive #ia%o$ue ,etwee
)arets a# e#u!ators. so*et"i$ s!"oo%s "ave strive# to a!"ieve 'or *a& &earsI
Our La#&5s >is"o) Eto Pri*ar& S!"oo% 0J >is"o)Eto3 i Liver)oo% "as su!!ess'u%%&
e$a$e# t"e w"o%e s!"oo% !o**uit& i !e%e,rati$ rea#i$ via t"e s!"oo%Ks Twitter
itera!tio/
T"rou$" its LRea#IAOesie a# LLiver)oo%S"e%'ie !a*)ai$s. )u)i%s a# )arets are
e!oura$e# to ta+e )i!tures o' t"e*se%ves rea#i$ i oesies. a# to ta+e se%'ies i 'rot
o' t"eir ,oo+s"e%ves/
>i!+ersta''e C o' E Pri*ar& 0J>i!+ersta''eCE3 is oe s!"oo% t"at "as ivite# )arets ito
s!"oo% %i'e via Twitter. wit" $reat su!!ess. "e%)i$ t"e* to sta& ivo%ve# wit" w"at t"eir
!"i%#re are u) to/
T"is was )arti!u%ar%& e''e!tive #uri$ a re!et s!"oo% tri) w"e re$u%ar
Twitter u)#ates a%%owe# a%% )arets to 'ee% i!%u#e# wit"out i*)i$i$ o
t"e stu#ets $rowi$ i#e)e#e!e= 0Mue 11. 2C193/
Co!!unicating with Sta'ehoders
T"rou$"out t"e %iterature. we saw t"at t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia to !oe!t wit" )arets is
,e!o*i$ *ore )o)u%ar at t"e #istri!t or a#*iistrative %eve%/ I Social Media Strategies for
School Princi"als) 'our t"e*es ,e!a*e a))aret?
So!ia% *e#ia too%s a%%ow 'or $reater itera!tios ,etwee s!"oo% )ri!i)a%s a#
t"eir sta+e"o%#ers/
So!ia% *e#ia too%s )rovi#e stro$er !oe!tios to %o!a% sta+e"o%#ers. to 'e%%ow
e#u!ators. a# to t"e wor%#/
So!ia% *e#ia use !a "ave a si$i'i!at i*)a!t o a s!"oo% )ri!i)a%5s )ersoa%
a# )ro'essioa% $rowt"/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 11
So!ia% *e#ia use is a e4)e!tatioN it is o %o$er o)tioa% 0Co4. 2C193/
So!ia% *e#ia !a "ave its #raw,a!+s/ Peo)%e !a *a+e e$ative !o**ets to t"rea#s
a# )ost i!orre!t i'or*atio/ However. !o**uit& *e*,ers )re'er t"ese too%s/ T"e& a%%ow
sta''. stu#ets. a# 'a*i%ies to re!eive i'or*atio w"eever t"e& "ave t"e ti*e to a!!ess it/ To
,e a,%e to !o**ui!ate a# s"are 'a!ts t"at su))ort ,ui%#i$ #e!isios a%so "e%)s !reate a "i$"er
%eve% o' tras)are!& 'or s!"oo%s/ Case stu#ies ivo%vi$ t"e use o' Fa!e,oo+ i s!"oo%s i t"e
U/E 'ou#. <6"i%e t"e *ai 'o!us o' Fa!e,oo+5s e#u!atio )ro$ra**e is to ea,%e ,etter
!o%%a,oratio ,etwee sta'' a# )u)i%s. Fa!e,oo+ $rou)s !ou%# a%so ,e use# to !o**ui!ate wit"
)arets w"e 'a!e-to-'a!e *eeti$s are5t e!essar& - 'or e4a*)%e. to s"are i'or*atio a,out a
'ort"!o*i$ s!"oo% tri)= 0Curtis. 2C193/
Quaity of Literature
T"e resear!" reviewe# was #raw 'ro* sour!es su!" as a!a#e*i! @oura%s %i+e
Education) *llinois +eading Council ,ournal) #he ,ournal of Education for -usiness a# o-
)ro'it 'ou#atios %i+e t"e Ma!Art"ur Fou#atio t"at )u,%is"e# a 'ive-&ear stu#& wit"
aut"ors"i) ,& *u%ti)%e a!a#e*i!s/ R"ei$o%# is a *e*,er o' t"e Co**ui!atio De)art*et at
Sta'or# Uiversit&/ Co4 )er'or*e# a 8ua%itative stu#&. iterviewi$ twe%ve )ri!i)a%s re$ar#i$
t"eir use o' so!ia% *e#ia. a# re)orte# it i t"e NAASP 0Natioa% Asso!iatio o' Se!o#ar&
S!"oo% Pri!i)a%s3 >u%%eti/ 6"i%e Davis #i# ot write a )eer-reviewe# resear!" )a)er. s"e is a
sta'' writer 'or Di$ita% Dire!tios a# re'ere!e# *a& tea!"ers. a#*iistrators. )ro$ra*s. a#
'e#era% %aws i "er wor+ 'or Education Digest$ >ot" Mor$a5s a# Ear%5s arti!%es were )eer-
reviewe#/ T"e Digital Youth Pro(ect )a)er 0Ito. et a%/.2CCF3 was "eavi%& resear!"e# ,& 'our
ivesti$ators. seve )ost#o!tora% resear!"ers. si4 #o!tora% stu#ets. ie *asters stu#ets. oe
%aw stu#et. oe assistat. seve u#er$ra#uate stu#ets. a# 'our resear!" !o%%a,orators over t"e
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 12
!ourse o' a t"ree-&ear $rat/ Carto5s arti!%e. w"i%e ot )eer-reviewe# resear!". o''ers u) so*e
,asi! i'or*atio a,out "ow to ,e$i usi$ Twitter i a )ro'essioa% #eve%o)*et !a)a!it&/ He
%eaves it u) to t"e rea#er to e4)%ore 'urt"er/ T"e arti!%es 'ro* #he #elegra"h. w"i%e ot )eer-
reviewe#. re)reset wor+ 'ro* e4)ert !otri,utors i t"e 'ie%# su!" as Ei* O5>rie. e4e!utive
e#itor o' Educate *a$a:ie. a# So)"ie Curtis. a e#u!atio @oura%ist/ T"e arti!%es a%so !ite
!ase stu#ies 'ro* $rou)s %i+e T"e E#u!atio Fou#atio/
(ap in Literature
T"ere were o !o*)ariso stu#ies t"at we !ou%# 'i# o t"e ,ee'its a# #raw,a!+s o'
usi$ #i''eret so!ia% *e#ia too%s to !o**ui!ate wit" )arets/ Missi$ 'ro* our resear!" was
ot @ust i'or*atio re$ar#i$ )arets. ,ut a%so "ow e#u!ators are e$a$i$ )arets i t"eir
!%assroo* !o**uities 'or t"e )ur)ose o' !o**ui!atio a# !urri!u%ar tras)are!& as we%%/
6e 'ou# *o#e%s 'or usi$ te!"o%o$&. #es!ri)tive #ata re$ar#i$ so!ia% *e#ia. arti!%es
e4)%aii$ uses o' so!ia% *e#ia to %i+ e#u!ators a# stu#ets. ,ut ver& %itt%e i ter*s o' )aret
e$a$e*et/ I "is resear!" o t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia ,& s!"oo% )ri!i)a%s. Co4 02C193 a''ir*s
t"is w"e "e sa&s. <s!at resear!" "as ,ee !arrie# out re$ar#i$ t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia too%s ,&
P-12 )u,%i! s!"oo% o''i!ia%s as )art o' a overa%% !o**ui!atio strate$&= 0)/ D3/
Su!!ary
6"i%e stu#ets are a# wi%% !otiue to ,e ivo%ve# i so!ia% *e#ia 'or t"eir )ersoa% use.
t"e use o' t"ese too%s i t"eir a!a#e*i!s is a $rowi$ tre#/ T"e i!rease# e*)"asis i 21st
!etur& s+i%%s a# te!"o%o$& use 'or e#u!ators to#a& is su))orte# t"rou$"out t"e %iterature/
6"i%e t"e %iterature #e%ves ito Fa!e,oo+ a# Twitter )roto!o%. i/e/. 'rie#i$ a# )ro*oti$ a
sa'e eviro*et. t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia as a )aret !o**ui!atio too% is ot we%% resear!"e#/
>e!ause so %itt%e "as ,ee writte o usi$ so!ia% *e#ia as a re)%a!e*et too% 'or sta#ar#
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1-
!%assroo* ews%etters a# "o*e-s!"oo% !o**ui!atio. we "o)e our resear!" wi%% !reate ew
isi$"ts ito #oi$ so/
Methods
6e !"ose Surve&Mo+e& 'or our resear!" site 0A))e#i4 D3/ >ot" o' us "ave "a#
e4)erie!e wit" usi$ t"is o%ie so'tware/ It is user-'rie#%& a# resu%ts are aa%&:e#
!otiua%%&. as t"e res)oses !o*e i/ Parti!i)at se%e!tio re)resete# t"e *ost #i''i!u%t
!"a%%e$e 'or t"is s"ort. si4-wee+ su**er stu#&/ Parets o' stu#ets t"at we !urret%& itera!t
wit" were %ar$e%& uavai%a,%e/ 6e !"ose to use !urret !o%%ea$ues wit"i t"e s!"oo% s&ste*s
w"ere we tea!" as we%% as Fa!e,oo+ !ota!ts t"at were 'e%%ow tea!"ers. )arets. or ,ot"/
De*o$ra)"i! i'or*atio su!" as a$e. et"i!it&;ra!e. a# i!o*e %eve% were ot !o%%e!te#/
U%ti*ate%&. we "a# a,out a 2CO res)ose rate to t"e Paret a# E#u!ator surve&s !o*,ie#/
E#u!ator res)oses to our Surve&Mo+e& %i+ re)resete# 9BO )ri*ar& 0ECE--3. -2O
iter*e#iate 09-B3. -CO se!o#ar& 0D-123. a# 1-O s)e!ia%ists/ So*e res)o#ets tea!" stu#ets
i *ore t"a oe o' t"ese areas/
%thica Procedures
Parti!i)ats were i'or*e# o' t"e itet o' our stu#& ,& a )er*issio 'or* 0A))e#i4 C3.
oti$ t"at t"e& !ou%# #is!otiue )arti!i)atio at a& ti*e a# t"at ,& ot !o%%e!ti$ a*es.
t"eir i#ivi#ua% aswers wou%# ot ,e i#eti'ie#/ O t"e )er*issio 'or*. we state# our itet to
use t"e #ata t"e& )rovi#e# to resear!" wa&s i w"i!" tea!"ers !o**ui!ate !%assroo*
i'or*atio/
#ata coection !ethods
To $at"er #ata. we re%ie# o two #i''eret *et"o#s/ T"e 'irst was o,servatio o' a variet&
o' so!ia% *e#ia a!!outs ,e%o$i$ to a variet& o' e#u!ators 0A))e#i4 >3/ (oo$%e was use# to
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 19
%o!ate severa%. a# ot"ers !a*e 'ro* sites we were a%rea#& aware e4iste#/ T"e se!o# sour!e o'
i'or*atio !a*e 'ro* t"e surve&s we #esi$e#/ Surve&Mo+e& auto*ati!a%%& aa%&:e# t"e
resu%ts. a%%owi$ us t"e o))ortuit& to see res)ose resu%ts i )er!eta$es ea!" ti*e we !"e!+e#
o t"e #ata t"rou$" t"eir we,site/ Questios 'ro* t"e surve&s !a ,e 'ou# ,e%ow/
Resear!" Questio Pri*ar& Data Sour!e
6"at are tea!"ers5 o)iios re$ar#i$ t"e
e!essit& 'or a# use o' so!ia% *e#ia too%s to
!o**ui!ate wit" )arets7
Tea!"er Surve&?
1/ 6"at $ra#e;s #o &ou tea!"7
2/ How o'te #o &ou ee# to
!o**ui!ate wit" )arets7
-/ 6"at #o &ou use *ost o'te to
!o**ui!ate wit" )arets7
9/ How #o )arets !o**ui!ate wit"
&ou7
2/ Des!ri,e &our use o' so!ia% *e#ia
too%s to !o**ui!ate wit" )arets/
B/ 6"i!" ,est #es!ri,es &our situatio7
D/ 6"at a#vata$es a#;or #isa#vata$es
#o &ou see wit" usi$ so!ia% *e#ia as
a 'or* o' !o**ui!atio7
6"at are )arets5 o)iios re$ar#i$ t"e
e!essit& 'or a# use o' so!ia% *e#ia too%s to
!o**ui!ate wit" tea!"ers7
Paret Surve&?
1/ How o'te #o &ou ee# to
!o**ui!ate wit" &our !"i%#5s
tea!"er7
2/ 6"at #oes &our !"i%#5s tea!"er use
*ost o'te to !o**ui!ate wit"
)arets7
-/ How #o &ou !o**ui!ate wit"
)arets7
9/ 6"at $ra#e #i# &our !"i%#0re3 *ost
re!et%& !o*)%ete7
2/ 6"i!" o' t"ese state*ets are
a))%i!a,%e to &ou7
B/ 6ou%# &ou 'i# it "e%)'u% to re!eive
rea% ti*e !o**ui!atio a,out &our
!"i%#Ks !%assroo*. i/e/ a re*i#er a,out
)i!ture #a& t"e *ori$ o'7
D/ 6"at a#vata$es a#;or #isa#vata$es
#o &ou see wit" t"is t&)e o'
!o**ui!atio7
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 12
Schedue
Date Evet
Mue 22. 2C19 E4)%ore# resear!" 8uestio
Mue 2B. 2C19 >e$a %iterature review
Mu%& 1. 2C19 Create# surve&s
Mu%& 1C. 2C19 Ivite# )arti!i)ats
Mu%& 1D. 2C19 Aa%&:e# resu%ts
Mu%& 2C. 2C19 Dra't )a)er su,*itte#
Mu%& 2D. 2C19 E#ite# )a)er a'ter re!eivi$ )eer a# istru!tor
'ee#,a!+
Mu%& -1. 2C19 Fia% )a)er su,*itte#
Chec's for Rigor
A%%owi$ our )arti!i)ats )%et& o' ti*e to !o*)%ete t"e surve&s. a# t"e o))ortuit& to
e4)ress t"eir o)iios %e# to !re#i,i%it& o' our stu#&/ 6e a%so use# %a$ua$e a# ter*io%o$& our
res)o#ets !ou%# u#ersta#. so t"at t"e surve&s !ou%# ,e !o*)%ete%& u#erstoo# ,& t"e*/
S"ou%# a&oe re8uest surve& resu%ts. we !a o''er !o'ir*a,i%it& ,& se#i$ t"e* our resear!"
#o!u*et/
Research Findings/Survey Resuts
Fre)uency and *ype of Co!!unication
Curret 'or* a# 're8ue!& o' !o**ui!atio was !ite# ,& e#u!ators overw"e%*i$%& as
e*ai% a# o!e a wee+ 0see Fi$ure 13/ Most o' t"e )arets. B2/2O. w"o res)o#e# to our surve&
were )arets o' )ri*ar& a$e# !"i%#re/ Stu#ets o' t"is a$e *a& or *a& ot )ass a%o$
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1B
i'or*atio t"e& ,e!a*e aware o' at s!"oo%. a# %i+e%& ee# t"e assista!e o' otes or re*i#ers
i or#er to *a+e )arets aware o' u)!o*i$ #ea#%ies a# evets/ T"e *a@orit& o' )arets
surve&e#. 2FO. res)o#e# t"at t"e& ee# to !o**ui!ate wee+%& wit" t"eir !"i%#5s tea!"er. wit"
--O ee#i$ !ota!t *ore t"a twi!e a wee+/ Tea!"er resu%ts were si*i%ar/ B1O state# t"at t"e&
!o**ui!ate# wit" )arets o!e a wee+. a# -2O *ore t"a twi!e a wee+/ Severa% )eo)%e i
,ot" t"e )aret a# t"e e#u!ator $rou) state# t"at i' t"i$s were $oi$ we%%. t"e& o%& ee#e#
!ota!t *ot"%& or %ess. wit" a 'ew tea!"ers sa&i$ t"at t"e& ee#e# #ai%& !o**ui!atio wit"
so*e o' t"eir )arets/
Figure 1
Our )aret $rou) sai# t"at e*ai%s were use# t"e *ost !o**o 'or* o' !o**ui!atio.
B1O sa&i$ t"eir tea!"er use# t"at to #isse*iate i'or*atio. a# ews%etters. at 2CO. !a*e i
as t"e 2# *ost )o)u%ar !"oi!e 0see Fi$ure 23/ E#u!ators sai# t"at e*ai% was use# FBO o' t"e
ti*e. wit" te%e)"oe !o*i$ i at 91O a# ews%etters at 29O/ FDO o' )arets sai# t"e& use#
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1D
e*ai% to iitiate !oversatios wit" t"eir tea!"er0s3/ 6"i%e we #i# ot o''er a <i )erso= o)tio
'or )assi$ a%o$ i'or*atio. a !ou)%e o' our )aret res)o#ets *etioe# t"at t"is is t"eir
)re'erre# *et"o#/ T"e& %i+e# to !o'er wit" tea!"ers 8ui!+%& ,e'ore or a'ter s!"oo% a# !"e!+ o
)ertiet i'or*atio/ Aot"er !"oi!e we #i# ot o''er was t"e <Fri#a& Fo%#er= o)tio/ So*e
tea!"ers )ass a%o$ i'or*atio a# !o**ets usi$ t"e 'o%#ers/ O%& oe tea!"er *etioe#
t"at t"e& "ave a s!"oo% Twitter a!!out a# aot"er oe *etioe# Re*i#1C1. a <sa'e= te4t
*essa$i$ servi!e/
Figure 2
Socia Media &se
FFO o' our )aret res)o#ers state# t"at t"e& use so!ia% *e#ia. su!" as Fa!e,oo+ a#
Twitter. ,ut o%& -2O use it to a!!ess i'or*atio a,out t"eir !"i%#5s #istri!t. s!"oo%. or
!%assroo* 0Fi$ure -3/ 91O state# t"at t"e& wou%# ,e itereste# i usi$ so!ia% *e#ia to #o so/
Co**ets "ere ra$e# 'ro* ,ei$ <!o*)%ete%& uitereste# i usi$ so!ia% *e#ia to
!o**ui!ate wit" *& !"i%#5s tea!"ers/ 6e #o ot "ave iteret= to <I 'i# t"e o%ie
i'or*atio ver& use'u% as it is avai%a,%e at a& "our a# o res)ose is ee#e#. su!" as returi$
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 1F
a )"oe !a%%/= DBO #i# sa& t"at it wou%# ,e "e%)'u% to re!eive rea% ti*e !o**ui!atio a,out a
!%assroo* evet. su!" as a re*i#er a,out )i!ture #a& t"e *ori$ o'/
Figure 3

O' t"e 9C res)oses we re!eive# 'ro* our e#u!ators. 22O were ot aware o' a )o%i!&
re$ar#i$ t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia i t"eir s!"oo%s/ -CO sai# t"eir #istri!t su))orte# it. a# 12O
sai# it was #is!oura$e#/ T"e !o**et 'ie%#s 'ro* t"ese res)oses s"owe# t"at i' Fa!e,oo+ was
i )%a!e i t"eir #istri!t. it was !etra%%& ru ,& t"e a#*iistratio/ O%& oe e#u!ator s"are# t"at
a Fa!e,oo+ )a$e was @ust ,ei$ starte# 'or t"eir s!"oo%/ T"e ot"er too%s i )%a!e 'or e#u!ators
i!%u#e# E#*o#o. te4t *essa$i$. e*ai% 0as )revious%& state#3. I'iite Messe$er. S!"oo%o$&.
s!"oo% we,site. or tea!"er we,site/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 11
Advantages and #isadvantages of &sing Socia Media
Advantages and #isadvantages of &sing Socia Media for +o!e,Schoo Co!!unication
seen -y Parent Participants
I t"e !o**et se!tios o' t"e )aret surve&. severa% ite*s were *etioe# as
a#vata$es o' usi$ so!ia% *e#ia as a 'or* o' !o**ui!ati$ s!"oo% i'or*atio?
Less )a)er to rea# a# +ee) tra!+ o'
6ou%# i*)rove !o**ui!atio
He%)'u% as a re*i#er o s)e!ia% a!tivit& #a&s
6ou%# "e%) o)e u) !o**ui!atio at "o*e i' )arets "a# *ore i'or*atio a,out
s)e!i'i!a%%& w"at !"i%#re are %eari$ at s!"oo%
<T"e *ore !o**ui!atio t"e ,etter/ So!ia% *e#ia is a a#vata$e i' use# )ro)er%&/=
<A $reat wa& to $et i'or*atio a,out t"i$s $oi$ o/=
A $oo# @u*)i$ o'' )oit-=I' 'urt"er !o**ui!atio is re8uire#. a *eeti$ !a ,e
arra$e# or )"oe !a%%s ,e )%a!e#/=
A!!essi,%e a&ti*e
T"ere were a%so severa% )oits *a#e t"at were !ite# as #isa#vata$es
Not ever&oe "as a!!ess. %ea#i$ so*e to *iss t"e i'or*atio
Tea!"er *a& ot +ow i' i'o was re!eive# 0<,ut I $uess t"at5s t"e !ase 'or )a)er or
e%e!troi! i'o=3
Parets "avi$ too *u!" !otro% over t"e res)osi,i%it& o' re!eivi$ t"e i'o 0ot %etti$
t"eir stu#et ,e res)osi,%e 'or )assi$ a%o$ e!essar& i'o t"e*se%ves3
Ta+es a##itioa% ti*e 'or tea!"er to $et i'o to )arets
Less )ersoa% a# !ou%# ,e #i''i!u%t to iter)ret t"e <toe= t"e tea!"er ite#s
Advantages and #isadvantages of &sing Socia Media for +o!e,Schoo Co!!unication
seen -y *eacher Participants
E#u!ators !ite# *a& a#vata$es 'or t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia to !o**ui!ate wit" )arets a#
stu#ets/
Motivati$ stu#ets t"rou$" )osti$ e4a*)%es o' stu#et wor+. et!/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 2C
Co**ui!ati$ wit" *a& )arets at o!e i rea%-ti*e 'or u)#ates a# assi$*et
re*i#ers
Curri!u%ar tras)are!& 0)arets $et a $%i*)se o' w"at is $oi$ o i t"e !%assroo*3
Qui!+ a# #ire!t 0!a oti'& )aret to set ti*e 'or i-#e)t" !oversatio3
Stro$ ,u&-i 'ro* *i##%e a# "i$" s!"oo% stu#ets 0a%rea#& ivo%ve# #ai%& i so!ia%
*e#ia3
(reeer 0!uts #ow )a)er. !o)&i$. et!/3
More a!!urate 0u)#ates a# !orre!tios !a ,e *a#e i**e#iate%&3
No restri!tio o ti*e 0i'o/ !a ,e )oste# to or a!!esse# a& ti*e o' #a&3
O''ers ,ui%t i #o!u*etatio 'or itera!tio a# i'or*atio
E#u!ators a%so !o**ete# o so*e o' t"e #isa#vata$es o' t"is t&)e o' !o**ui!atio/
A!!ess 0ot a%% )arets "ave iteret3
Priva!& 0'or tea!"ers. s!"oo%s. a# stu#ets3
Ma& rei'or!e %a!+ o' oe to oe !o**ui!atio ot @ust wit" )aret a# tea!"er. ,ut
wit" !"i%# a# )aret/
Not a%% use so!ia% *e#ia a))ro)riate%&--'ie %ie ,etwee ,a%a!i$ )ersoa% a#
)ro'essioa% %i'e
Ca iso%ate )arets ot ivo%ve# re$u%ar%& wit" so!ia% *e#ia
Possi,i%it& o' *i4i$ u) )ersoa% a# )ro'essioa% Fa!e,oo+ or Twitter a!!outs
Ca %e# itse%' to )reseti$ two #i''eret )ersoa%ities? oe )u,%i! 0o%ie3 a# aot"er
i-)erso
Ca ,e "a!+e# a# i'or*atio *isre)resete# or !"a$e#
.-servations of *eacher Sites
I or#er to eva%uate t"e use o' #i''eret t&)es o' *e#ia use# to !o**ui!ate wit" )arets.
we o,serve# *a& #i''eret Fa!e,oo+ a# Twitter )a$es. as we%% as (oo$%e sites 0A))e#i4 >3/
A%% t"ree t&)es o' )a$es o,serve# easi%& a%%owe# 'or )i!tures a# %i+s to ,e u)%oa#e#. as we%% as
,ei$ !o#u!ive to aou!e*ets a# $eera% u)#ates/ T"e sa*)%e Fa!e,oo+ )a$es we viewe#
were t"e *ost itera!tive/ Parets. stu#ets. a# !o**uit& *e*,ers %i+e# or !o**ete# o
)osts. wit" so*e !o**ets !arr&i$ over ito a #is!ussio/ O!!asioa%%&. t"ere were e$ative
!o**ets o )osts. su!" as sow #a& s!"oo% !%osures 0,ot" 'or a# a$aist3. ,ut t"ese o!!urre#
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 21
*ai%& o #istri!t sites/ Peo)%e te#e# to re*ai *ore )ositive i' it was a !%assroo* )a$e/ Most
Fa!e,oo+ )a$es s"owe# t"at su,s!ri,ers were i t"e -2-99 &ear o%# a$e ra$e. t&)i!a% o' t"e a$e
ra$e o' )arets o' +-12 stu#ets/ O Twitter. $ive t"at <tweets= are %i*ite# to 19C !"ara!ters.
s"ort *essa$es a# re*i#ers are t"e or*/ Has"ta$s a%%ow viewers to !%i!+ over to a 'oru* 'or
#is!ussio. or to %i+e# we,sites/ 6"i%e we were ot a,%e to #eter*ie a a$e ra$e 'or t"e
Twitter au#ie!e. $%a!i$ at t"eir )ro'i%es s"owe# t"at t"e *a@orit& o' Twitter 'o%%owers o'
e#u!atioa% )a$es were e#u!ators t"e*se%ves/ Ma& !%assroo* )a$es *ust a%so ,e a 'oru* 'or
s"ari$ !%assroo* strate$ies a# i#eas/ T"e (oo$%e sites. w"i%e i'or*ative a# 'u%% o' use'u%
%i+s. was t"e oe too% we o,serve# t"at #i# ot a%%ow itera!tio. wit" t"e e4!e)tio o'
vo%uteer si$u) %i+s/ I or#er to 'i# out w"at is "a))ei$ i t"e !%assroo*. t"e tea!"er
we,)a$e *ust ,e a!!esse# a# !%i!+e# t"rou$" i or#er to view i'or*atio/ Li+s to tea!"er
e*ai%s "e%) 'a!i%itate !o**ui!atio o t"eses we,sites/ O' t"e t"ree too%s we stu#ie#. (oo$%e
see*s to "ave t"e *ost i'or*atio a,out !urri!u%u* a!!essi,%e to )arets/ Li+s to !urri!u%u*
resour!es a# "o*ewor+ were wi#e%& avai%a,%e/ T"ere is ot a )u,%i!%& visi,%e wa& to te%% "ow
*a& )aret su,s!ri,ers t"ere are to t"ese sites/
Co!parison of Research to the Literature Review
Our 'i#i$s !oe!te# wit" t"e %iterature re$ar#i$ t"e i*)orta!e o' so!ia% *e#ia
wit"i t"e !ote4t o' to#a&5s %eari$ istitutios/ Parets a# stu#ets are )arti!i)ati$ i t"is
'or* o' *e#ia i a overw"e%*i$ *a@orit&. a# tea!"ers 'i# it use'u% as a 'or* o'
!o**ui!atio 0Co4. 2C19N Curtis. 2C19N Davis. 2C1CN Ito et a%/. 2CCFN Mor$a. 2C193/ Parets
a# tea!"ers a%i+e 'avore# t"e i**e#ia!& o' u)#ates a# rea%-ti*e !o**ui!atio 0Curtis. 2C19N
O5>rie. 2C193/ However. )riva!& issues a# ,%urre# ,ou#ar& %ies re*ai 8uestios o' !o!er
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 22
'or ,ot" resear!" )arti!i)ats i our stu#& as we%% as t"e stu#ies re)resete# i t"e %iterature 0Ito
et a%/. 2CCFN Ear% P Pe%u!"ette. 2C113/
T"e $a) i s!"oo%s a# #istri!ts i!%u#i$ )arets as sta+e"o%#ers i !reati$ a#
#esi$i$ te!"o%o$& a# so!ia% etwor+i$ )o%i!ies was evi#et i ,ot" our resear!" a# t"e
%iterature/ Our resear!" 'ou# 22O o' tea!"ers !iti$ o awareess o' a s!"oo% or #istri!t )o%i!&
a# 12O re)orti$ t"at t"eir s!"oo% #istri!ts #is!oura$e# t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia/ T"is $a) was
a%so evi#et i t"e %iterature as )arets were a,set as sta+e"o%#ers i te!"o%o$& #esi$ *o#e%s
0Hu''*a. 2C1-3/
A%t"ou$" t"e resear!" i!%u#e# %i+s a# e4a*)%es o' so!ia% *e#ia use# ,& tea!"ers. it
#i# ot o''er a& t&)e o' aa%&sis o' t"ese e4a*)%es 0Curtis. 2C19N O5>rie. 2C193/ Our
o,servatio o' !urret tea!"er )a$es e4a*ie# severa% e%e*ets ,ri$i$ to %i$"t t"e use o'
Fa!e,oo+ as a stro$ itera!tive too%. Twitter as a stro$"o%# i )ro'essioa% %eari$
!o**uities. a# (oo$%e sites as a#vata$es 'or %i+i$ )arets to a *&ria# o' resour!es/
U#ersta#i$ w"i!" too% is ,est 'or w"at use !otiues to ,e a 8uestio 'or !urret a# 'uture
resear!"/ Our 'i#i$s a# stu#& re)reset a s*a%% ste) i 'i#i$ t"e aswer/
Li!itations
6"i%e we were a,%e to !o%%e!t a i!e sa*)%i$ o' #ata t"rou$" our surve&s. oe %i*itatio
is t"at our res)oses were 'ro* )eo)%e we "ave +ow a#;or wor+e# wit" w"o "ave Fa!e,oo+
a!!outs/ Usi$ )eo)%e w"o are a%rea#& 'a*i%iar wit" a s)e!i'i! 'or* o' so!ia% *e#ia !ou%#
)otetia%%& i'%ue!e t"e #ata/ Usi$ s!"oo% e*ai% a!!outs to !ota!t )otetia% res)o#ets was
a ,it #i''i!u%t. as ot ever&oe !"e!+s t"eir e*ai% #uri$ t"e su**er/ Certai%&. ti*e was a
%i*itatio as we%%/ 6e "a# a s"ort wi#ow i w"i!" to !o%%e!t a# aa%&:e t"e #ata/ However.
t"e #ata we o,taie# was va%ua,%e. a# "e%)e# us to $et a $%i*)se ito w"at t"e or*a% )ra!ti!es
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 2-
are wit" )aret-tea!"er !o**ui!atio. a# w"at a#vata$es a# #isa#vata$es )eo)%e see wit"
*ovi$ towar#s !o**ui!atio wit" so!ia% *e#ia/
I!pications
T"e resear!" "i$"%i$"te# iterest i a#va!i$ 'or*s o' !o**ui!atio wit" )arets/
For*s o' *e#ia tra#itioa%%& uti%i:e# ,& tea!"ers to !o**ui!ate wit" )arets "ave evo%ve# wit"
te!"o%o$&/ T"rou$" our resear!". t"e a#vata$es o' i**e#ia!&. re%ia,i%it&. eviro*eta%
res)osi,i%it&. *ass #e%iver&. a))ea%. a# #o!u*etatio a%% )oit towar# a ee# 'or s!"oo%s a#
#istri!ts to "o) o t"e so!ia% *e#ia ,a#wa$o/ However. i*)ortat #isa#vata$es surrou#i$
)riva!& a# a!!ess e!essitate !are'u% use t"at %i*its a!!ess to )rivate i'or*atio 'or a%%
sta+e"o%#ers as we%% as %i*iti$ au#ie!e/
At t"is )oit too%s %i+e E#*o#o o''er si*i%ar a#vata$es to Fa!e,oo+. ,ut i a *ore
)rote!te# !%assroo* eviro*et/ A$e re8uire*ets 'or e*ai% a##resses 'or stu#ets a#
iteret a!!ess )revet *a& )arets 'ro* e$a$i$ i t"ese sites/ Stu#ets u#er t"e a$e o' 1-
are ot su))ose# to "ave Fa!e,oo+ a!!outs. ,ut !a "ave Twitter/ Havi$ a )ersoa% e*ai%
a!!out !a o!!ur at t"e #is!retio o' t"e )aret. w"i%e s!"oo% e*ai% a!!outs !a ,e assi$e# to
2-&ear-o%#s/ T"is *eas t"at 'or *ost e%e*etar& tea!"ers. so!ia% *e#ia s"ou%# o%& ,e use# to
!o**ui!ate wit" )arets/ Fa!e,oo+ a# Twitter are !o**o a))%i!atios t"at *ost wit"
!e%%u%ar or wi'i !a a!!ess/
As tea!"ers. we ,e%ieve a !"a$e i )ra!ti!e s"ou%# ,e *a#e. a# t"at usi$ t"ese too%s
,e!o*es i*)erative wit" t"e !"a$i$ ti*es/ Must %i+e ews%etters !a ,e *ass e*ai%e# as we%%
as set "o*e as a "ar# !o)&. i'or*atio )oste# o Fa!e,oo+ a# Twitter a!!outs *ust ,e *a#e
so*e"ow a!!essi,%e to t"ose wit"out a!!ess/ T"is !ou%# ,e a!!o*)%is"e# ,& )%a!i$ s!"oo%
#istri!t !o*)uter +ios+s i s!"oo% %o,,ies a# )%a!es su!" as $ro!er& stores. ,& e*ai%i$ t"e
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 29
)osts to )arets w"o #o5t "ave a!!outs. or eve ,& )riti$ o'' t"e )osts as %itt%e otes t"at $et
set "o*e/ I' we ta+e a!tio wit" so!ia% *e#ia t"is s!"oo% &ear. it ee#s to ,e t"orou$"%&
e4)%aie# to )arets. t"ose wit"out a!!ess s"ou%# ,e )%a!e# o a %ist a# +ow t"at t"e& ee# to
!"e!+ t"eir e*ai%s 0or stu#et ,a!+)a!+s3 'or u)#ates. a# surve&s o' e''e!tiveess s"ou%# ,e
$ive at a !ou)%e o' )oits t"rou$"out t"e s!"oo% &ear/
As see i Fi$ure 9. our resear!" a%so #is)%a&e# a stro$ ee# 'or s!"oo%s a# #istri!ts to
#eve%o) )o%i!ies to re$u%ate t"e use o' so!ia% *e#ia/ Tea!"er. )aret. a# stu#et )riva!& ri$"ts
ee# to ,e )rote!te#. a# sta+e"o%#ers ee# to +ow w"at t"e )o%i!ies are/

SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 22
Figure 4
Our iitia%. ite#e# resear!" was to 'i# w"at so!ia% *e#ia too% was ,est/ However. we
"a# to arrow it #ow to si*)%& 'i#i$ out w"at too%s were ,ei$ use# a# w"at t"e )areta%
iterest is i usi$ t"is 'or* o' !o**ui!atio/ T"e resear!" o t"e too%s. !o*)arisos. a#
#e$ree to w"i!" t"e& are e''e!tive was s%i* i re$ar#s to use wit" tea!"ers a# )arets a# t"is
$a) !otiues to !reate a ee# 'or 'urt"er resear!" i t"is area/
Concusion
Our resear!" s"ows t"at !o**ui!atio is a essetia% )ie!e o' a stu#et5s e#u!atio a#
is "i$"%& va%ue# ,& )arets a# 'a*i%ies/ 6"i%e ever&oe "as "a# a #i''eret e4)erie!e. )arets.
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 2B
overa%%. wat to +ow w"at is $oi$ o i t"e !%assroo*/ Stu#ets to#a& are ,ei$ )re))e# to
,e!o*e ,etter #i$ita% !iti:es a# e#u!ators ee# to ,e 21st !etur& %earers. too/ A%t"ou$" our
resear!" #i# ot i#eti'& oe 'or* o' so!ia% *e#ia t"at stoo# out as t"e ,est wa& to !o**ui!ate
wit" tea!"ers. it #i# s"ow t"at so!ia% *e#ia is ,e$ii$ to )reset itse%' as aot"er wa& to ,ui%#
)aret a# tea!"er !o**ui!atio so essetia% 'or stu#et %eari$ a# *er$i$ t"e overla""ing
s"heres of influence$ So!ia% *e#ia )resets itse%' as a $reeer. *ore i**e#iate wa& to e"a!e
)aret;tea!"er !o**ui!atio a# u)#ate w"o%e $rou)s o' sta+e"o%#ers to +e& i'or*atio
re$ar#i$ s!"oo% a# !%assroo* oti'i!atios a# evets/ A!!ess a# )riva!& see* to ,e stro$
#isa#vata$es o' its use/ T"us. it *a+es sese t"at it o%& ,e a a##itive to t"e tea!"er5s too%+it
rat"er t"a a su,tra!tive *eas o' !o**ui!atio/
T"e resear!" a%so 'ou# t"at *a& #istri!ts see* to ,e %a!+i$ i !reati$ a )o%i!&
re$ar#i$ so!ia% *e#ia use/ Su!" )o%i!ies *i$"t )rovi#e ee#e# $ui#e%ies 'or t"ose !o!ere#
wit" !rossi$ t"e )ersoa%;)ro'essioa% ,ou#aries t"at are so i*)ortat wit" tea!"er itera!tios
,etwee ,ot" )arets a# stu#ets/ T"at ,ou#ar& is a 'ra$i%e ti$"tro)e as evi#e!e# ,&
Fa!e,oo+ use a# *isuse stories i t"e *e#ia a# wa%+i$ it re*ais a 8uestio t"at is o%&
,e$ii$ to ,e a##resse# i !urret resear!"/
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 2D
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Co%ora#o De)art*et o' E#u!atio QCDER/ 0/#/3/ T"e Co%ora#o tea!"er 8ua%it& sta#ar#s/
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"tt)?;;www/!#e/state/!o/us;sites;#e'au%t;'i%es;Co%oO2CTea!"erO2CQua%it&O2CSta#ar#s
O2CRe'O2C(ui#eO2C2/)#'
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"tt)?;;$o/$a%e$rou)/!o*;)s;i/#o7i#S(ALE
ODCA2211F2C29PvS2/1PuSaurariaT*aiPitSrP)SAONEPswSwPasi#S1,1-#!,2D!-
#aF,-#-9B9-1,!!9e#1,a
E)stei. M/ 011123/ S!"oo%;'a*i%&;!o**uit& )arters"i)s? Cari$ 'or t"e !"i%#re we s"are/
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12 e#u!atio/ 02C1-3/ Education. 1-9023. 129-1BC/ Retrieve# Mue 2F. 2C19 'ro*
"tt)?;;Csear!"/e,s!o"ost/!o*/s+&%ie/u!#ever/e#u;%o$i/as)47
#ire!tStrueP#,Sa)"PANS1-BB-12B
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C!eFF2!B222D,CD'!F#a
OK>rie. E/ 02C19. Mue 113/ Twitter? Co*i$ to a s!"oo% ear &ou/ #he #elegra"h/ Retrieve#
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"tt)?;;www/te%e$ra)"/!o/u+;e#u!atio;e#u!atioo)iio;1C1CF2CC;Twitter-!o*i$-to-a-
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SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION 21
Stri$er. E/ T/ 02C193/ Action research 09t" e#/3/ Los A$e%es? SA(E Pu,%i!atios/
Appendix A
Literature Review Log
ate of
Search
ata-
)ase
Key*ord
Search
Journal + ,rticle
"ame
Summary
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Scholars-
#ric-ed3
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#ducatos
usin2
social
media to
en2a2e
parents
Living and
Learning with
New Media:
Summary of
Findings from the
Digital Youth
ro!e"t

http4--eric3ed32ov-5
id6#.7$'%&

http4--files3eric3ed32
ov-fullte8t-#.7$'
%&3pdf
This *hite paper summari9es the results of a three-year
!ethno2raphic study: funded )y the John 3 and Catherine T3
Mac,rthur ;oundation: e8aminin2 youn2 people<s participation in
the ne* media ecolo2y3 !t represents a condensed version of a
lon2er treatment of the pro=ect findin2s3 The study *as motivated
)y t*o primary research >uestions4 ?o* are ne* media )ein2
inte2rated into youth practices and a2endas5 ?o* do these
practices chan2e the dynamics of youth-adult ne2otiations over
literacy: learnin2: and authoritative kno*led2e5 Summary of the
Study is appended3 @Contains 7 fi2ures and $$ notes3A BThis paper
*as *ritten *ith Son=a Caumer: Dachel Cody: ilan Mahendran:
Katynka Martine9: an Perkel: Christo Sims: and (isa Tripp3E
$-&.-/0 1oo2le
Scholars-ti
2*e)3
or2
F Usin2 Participatory
Media and Pu)lic
Goice to
#ncoura2e Civic
#n2a2ement
?o*ard Dhein2old

Stanford
University:
Communication
epartment

http4--sprout3ti2*e)
3or2-resources-C(
O-.HUsin2HPartici
patoryHMediaH-
HGoice3pdf

(ooks at 2uidin2 student involvement in ne* media literacies
to*ard action in the process of democracy3 ?i2hli2hts the idea of
net*orkin2 and colla)oration as necessary as traditional literacy
for involvement of a participatory culture3
$-&.-/0 ,cademic
One;ile
face)ook
for
educators
Digital Directions
Social "et*orkin2
1oes to SchoolI
#ducators are
inte2ratin2
;ace)ook: "in2:
and other sites into
K-/& life despite
concerns a)out
privacy and
)ehavior3
http4--'-
This article discusses ho* social media is )ein2 used and ho*
some administrators and tech departments are slo*ly liftin2 the
)an from educators usin2 them3 ;ree tools: such as ;ace)ook:
T*itter: "in2: Goicethread: and Second (ife: are )ein2 used as
communication tools: school pro=ects: and professional
development3
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -C
search3e)scohost3
com3skyline3ucden
ver3edu-lo2in3asp8
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direct6trueJd)6f.h
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Scholar-
Master;ile
PD#M!#D
social
media
strate2ies
NASSP Bulletin
Social Media
Strate2ies for
School Principals
http4--'-
search3e)scohost3
com3skyline3ucden
ver3edu-lo2in3asp8
5
direct6trueJd)6f.h
J,"6K070$.K/
This study descri)ed the e8periences of school principals *ho use
a variety of social media tools *ith stakeholders as part of their
means of communications3Throu2h the use of /& >ualitative
intervie*s *ith school principals re2ardin2 their social media use:
four themes emer2ed4 @/ASocial media tools allo* for 2reater
interactions )et*een school principals and their stakeholders3 @&A
Social media tools provide stron2er connections to local
stakeholders: to fello* educators: and to the *orld3 @7A Social
media use can have a si2nificant impact on a school principalLs
personal and professional 2ro*th3 @0A Social media use is an
e8pectationI it is no lon2er optional3
$-&.-/0 1oo2le
Scholar-
Science
direct
comparati
ve
analysis
social
media
tools in
education
;indin2s on
;ace)ook in hi2her
education4 ,
comparison of
colle2e faculty and
student uses and
perceptions of
social net*orkin2
sites
http4--***3science
direct3com-science-
article-pii-S/'K$%.
/$/''''&%M
To determine ho* likely hi2her education faculty are to use
;ace)ook for either personal or educational purposes: hi2her
education faculty @n 6 $&A and students @n 6 /&'A at a mid-si9ed
southern university *ere surveyed on their use of ;ace)ook and
email technolo2ies3 , comparison of faculty and student responses
indicate that students are much more likely than faculty to use
;ace)ook and are si2nificantly more open to the possi)ility of
usin2 ;ace)ook and similar technolo2ies to support classroom
*ork3 ;aculty mem)ers are more likely to use more FtraditionalN
technolo2ies such as email3
$-&$-/0 ,cademic
One;ile
communi-
cation *ith
t*itter
Childhood
Education
#nhancin2
instruction and
communication
*ith T*itter
http4--'-
2o32ale2roup3com3
skyline3ucdenver3e
du-ps-i3do5
action6interpretJid
61,(#
O%C,7.%K$.$%/J
v6&3/Ju6aurariaH
mainJit6rJp6,O"
#Js*6*JauthCou
nt6/
The use of T*itter: or micro)lo22in2: has enhanced student
learnin2 and communication throu2h the use of its very )rief te8ts
that can )e accessed not =ust )y computer: )ut )y cell phone:
*hich )enefits lo*-income families3 The article discusses ho*
usin2 T*itter prepares students to )e di2ital citi9ens and also ho*
it keeps parents informed a)out classroom teachin2 and
events3Teachers should )e2in thinkin2 of technolo2y use as Fan
essential aspectN of their =o)s: not =ust an Fadd-on3N
$-&M-/0 ,cademic
Search
Premier
social
media in
education
Illinois Reading
Council Journal
T*itter P3
#8amines teachers< use of T*itter as a means of P3 ;ormin2
P(Cs @professional learnin2 communitiesA educators identify
trends in education and en2a2e in meanin2ful discourse in real
time to make up for lack of P opportunities due to cut )acks in
many districts3
$-&M-/0 ,cademic social Journal Of #e8amines student reactions to friend re>uests from people
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -1
Search
Premier
media in
education
Education For
Business
;riendin2<
Professors:
Parents and
Cosses4 ,
;ace)ook
Connection
Conundrum
http4--'-
search3e)scohost3
com3skyline3ucden
ver3edu-lo2in3asp8
5
direct6trueJd)6ap
hJ,"6$'/&&.%7
outside their re2ular net*ork of friends includin2 professors:
parents: and employers3 ;ound students have the most positive
reactions to friend re>uests from their mother or )oss3 Possi)le
educational uses for ;ace)ook: recommendations on ;ace)ook
eti>uette for )usiness edu"ators: and directions for future
research are discussed3
$-&M-/0 ,cademic
Search
Premier
social
media in
education
Education
C#"#;!TS ,"
P!T;,((S4
S!MP(#
1U!#(!"#S ;OD
T?# US# O;
SOC!,(
"#TWODK!"1
TOO(S !" K-/&
#UC,T!O"3
http4--'-
search3e)scohost3
com3skyline3ucden
ver3edu-lo2in3asp8
5
direct6trueJd)6ap
hJ,"6K7$$7/&$
#8plores the use of so"ial net*orkin2 tools: such as MySpace:
1oo2le +: ;ace)ook and T*itter: in K-/& education3 !t discusses
the advanta2es and disadvanta2es of usin2 so"ial net*orkin2
tools3 !t ela)orates on a 2ood technolo2y plannin2 model called
the S!MP(# Model3 The article also discusses edu"ator
preparation pro2rams3
%-/'-&'
/0
1oo2le teachers
usin2
;ace)ook
oes ;ace)ook
really have a place
in the classroom5
http4--***3tele2rap
h3co3uk-technolo2y
-face)ook-/'K&$/'
.-oes-;ace)ook-
really-have-a-
place-in-the-
classroom3html
%-/'-&/
'0
1oo2le teachers
usin2
t*itter
T*itter4 comin2 to
a classroom near
you3
http4--***3tele2rap
h3co3uk-education-
educationopinion-/
'K'M.''-T*itter-
comin2-to-a-
school-near-
you3html
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -2
Appendix "
Socia Media .-servation protoco
1/ Does t"e )a$e a))ear to ,e a )ro'essioa% $rou). se)arate 'ro* t"e tea!"er5s )ersoa% a!!out7
2/ Does it a))ear t"at ,ot" stu#ets a# t"eir )arets su,s!ri,e7
-/ Does t"e )a$e ivite #is!ussio a# !o**ets7 Are e$ative !o**ets *o#erate#7
9/ 6"at +i# o' !otet is )resete#? aou!e*ets. ,%o$ )osts. evets. assi$*ets. )"otos.
vi#eos. stu#et wor+7
2/ Does so*e !otet a))ear ue!essar&7
Fa!e,oo+
Pa$e O,serve#
Pro7 Stu#et;
)aret
su,s!ri,ers7
Dis!ussios a#
Co**ets
a%%owe#7
Ne$ative oes
*o#erate#7
Cotet A&t"i
$ ot
ee#e#7
Davi# C/ >arrow
E%e*etar& Me#ia
Ceter
"tt)s?;;www/'a!e,
oo+/!o*;,arrow*
e#ia!eter/
Li,raria A#&
P%e**os a%so
"as a
)ro'/we,site?
"tt)?;;,arrow*e#i
a!eter/!o*;
0wor#)ress;,%o$3
a# a twitter?
J)%e**osa.w"i
!" see*s to ,e a
)ersoa%;
)ro'essioa% *i4
Hes 22D Li+es
Loo+s %i+e
*ai%&
)arets
a!!ess it/
"tt)?;;,arro
w*e#ia!et
er/!o*;F>5s
<)a$e
isi$"ts=
s"ow t"at
t"e *ost
%i+es !o*e
'ro* t"ose
-2-99 &ears
o%#/
T"ere are
*ost%& <%i+es=
a# )ositive
!o**ets.
so*e )arets
%etti$ "i*
+ow t"e& wi%%
,e i to s"e%ve
,oo+s. et!/ It
see*s *ai%&
i'or*atioa%
a# to s"ow!ase
%i,rar&
"a))ei$s/
Re'%e!tios o
traii$s Mr/
P%e**os "as
atte#e#. ,oo+
'airs P sa%es. ,est
a))s P we,sites.
%i+s to arti!%es.
$ra#e %eve%
)ro@e!ts wit"
)"otos. t"a+i$
vo%uteers.
stu#et
)resetatios.
aou!e*ets P
re*i#ers
No
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION --
Mr/ E#%e*a5s
Tea!"er Pa$e
"tt)s?;;www/'a!e,
oo+/!o*;)a$es;M
r-E#e%*as-
Tea!"er-
Pa$e;2D11D29CB-
21
Hes.
%i*ite#
to
!urret
or
'or*er
stu#ets
'or !%ass
u)#ates.
tutori$
a# e4tra
"e%)/
S)e!i'ies
ot a
)%a!e to
'rie#
t"e
tea!"er/
9BC Li+es
De'iite%&
*ost%&
stu#ets i
t"e 1F-29
&ears o%#
ra$e/
T"ere were
*u%ti)%e
!o**ets o
*ost )osts.
so*e t"at "e
re*ar+e# o.
ot"ers t"at "e
#i#5t/ Most
t"rea#s "a# %ots
o' <'rie#-%i+e=
,ateri$ ,a!+
a# 'ort"
,etwee tea!"er
a# stu#ets/
Posts re8uesti$
)aret
!"a)eroes.
as+i$ i' stu#ets
"a# so%ve#
'or*u%as. s"out-
outs to stu#et
su!!esses. s!"oo%
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assi$*et
re*i#ers. a#
test
)ost)oe*ets.
'ee#,a!+ o su,
#a&sV
Hes.
so*e/
6"i%e
ver&
iter-
a!tive
'or
stu#ets
see*e#
ot as
use'u%
'or
)arets/
Ra#o%)"
Se!o#ar&
S!"oo%s
"tt)s?;;www/'a!e,
oo+/!o*;)a$es;Ra
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Se!o#ar&-
S!"oo%s;21-91211
22DC7s+Swa%%
Hes 1B1 Li+es
Most%& 'or
)arets/
Pri*ar&
viewers are
-2-99 &ears
o%#/
Not *a&
!o**etsN
*ost%& %i+es a#
s"ares/
I'or*atioa%/
C%osi$s.
!a!e%%atios.
ear%& #is*issa%s.
$a*e
i'or*atio.
!%ii!s. te4t,oo+
!o%%e!tios
No
"tt)s?;;www/'a!e,
oo+/!o*;we%#9
Hes 22C9 Li+es
Pri*ar&
viewers are
-2-99 &ears
o%#/
So*e e$ative
!o**ets w"e
s!"oo%s are
!%ose# or "ave
#e%a&s #ue to
weat"er. ,ut 'u%%
#is!ussios are
a%%owe# to
"a))e. wit"
%itt%e ,ei$ sai#
,& t"e )a$e
"ost/
S!"oo% su))%&
%ists a#
#oatios. Te!"
u)#ates. Re!
!eter;Li,rar&
%i+s. O)ei$s
a# !%osi$s.
tea!"er
a))re!iatio. ,i+e
sa'et&. %earer
s"ow!ases
No
P/E/ 0Port
E%i:a,et". Sout"
Hes 1FC Li+es Mai%& %i+esN a
'ew !o**ets/
Re8uests 'or
!%assroo*s to
No
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -9
A'ri!a3 Ei#s
(oi$ (%o,a%
0Post!ar#
Swa))i$3
"tt)s?;;www/'a!e,
oo+/!o*;)a$es;PE
-Ei#s-(oi$-
(%o,a%-Post!ar#-
Swa))i$;2C1BCC
B-2D1D1F2
Pri*ar&
viewers are
22--9 &ears
o%#/
T"e site as+s 'or
)ost!ar#s.
w"i!" t"e $et
set to stu#ets
i ot"er
!outries to
%ear a,out ea!"
ot"er/
swa) a# t"a+
&ous 'or
)ost!ar#s/ Last
)ost was 2C12. so
it a))ears to ,e
uuse# ow/
Twitter
Pa$e O,serve#
Pro7 Stu#et;
)aret
su,s!ri,ers7
Dis!ussios a#
Co**ets
a%%owe#7
Ne$ative oes
*o#erate#7
Cotet A&t"i
$ ot
ee#e#7
New Mi%'or# HS
0NM3Pri!i)a% Eri!
S"ei$er
"tt)s?;;twitter/!o*
;NMHSTPri!i)a%
Hes B2/2 E
'o%%owers
(%a!i$
t"rou$" t"e
'irst 'ew. it
%oo+s %i+e
*ai%& ot"er
)ri!i)a%s.
tea!"ers.
te!" sta''
a# )arets/
Hes. %atest oe
o <te%% us w"&
e#u!ators
s"ou%# use
Twitter a#
w"ere &ou are
'ro*=
Di#5t view a&
e$ative tweets/
Di$ita%
!iti:es"i).
!o**uities 'or
)ri!i)a%s.
%i,rarias. ,oo+s.
strate$ies.
%ea#ers"i).
stu#et-#esi$e#
s!"oo%s. '%i))e#
!%assroo*s
No
Doa Tres!a.
'irst $ra#e tea!"er
i MA
"tt)s?;;twitter/!o*
;#stres!a
Hes 212
Fo%%owers
*ai%& ot"er
tea!"ers a#
re!et
$ra#uates.
so*e !ou%#
,e )arets
Hes Ai#eos to
itro#u!e
)ro@e!ts.
#is!ussio o
!e%e,rati$
"o%i#a&s i t"e
!%assroo*. tweet
o w"at !%ass #i#
'or Ha%%owee.
No
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -2
Ma# S!ietist
Da&
Susa (oeau.
2# $ra#e tea!"er
"tt)s?;;twitter/!o*
;*rs$s!%ass
Hes -F2
Fo%%owers.
i!%u#i$
*a& ot"er
tea!"ers
Dis!ussios
o!!ur o t"e
"as"ta$ 'oru*s.
ot $eera%%&
*o#erate#
Fu#raisi$
%i+s. tea!"i$
strate$ies.
!ra'ts.a))s.%i+
to "er
ews%etter0o
)a)er/%i3 a# a
s"utter'%&
)i!ture;vi#eo %i+
'or u)%oa#e#
iPa# )i!s;vi#s.
a#vi!e. )i!s o'
+i#s %eari$.%i+
to "er 'a!e,oo+
)a$e?
"tt)s?;;www/'a!e
,oo+/!o*;*rs$s!
%ass29
No
Me''!o Pu,%i!
S!"oo%s
"tt)s?;;twitter/!o*
;Me''!oS!"oo%sCo
Hes 9D-D
Fo%%owers
So*e )ositive.
so*e e$ative
!o**ets. ,ut
"ave to $o to
"asta$ 'oru*s
to rea#/
Tweets to stories
o' stu#ets a#
sta''.
aou!e*ets.
,oar# o'
e#u!atio
*eeti$s. )aret
a#vi!e
No
Mrs/ (ra&so5s
9t" $ra#ers i AA
"tt)s?;;twitter/!o*
;HRA(ra&so
Hes 11B
Fo%%owers.
)ro,a,%&
)arets a#
*a& ot"er
tea!"ers P
!%assroo*s
Not *a&
re)%ies. see*e#
*ai%&
i'or*atioa%
Stu#ets tweet
o w"at t"e& are
%eari$. t"eir
)ro@e!ts. tri)s.
,oo+s. re)orts.
rea#i$ )ro$ress.
!o%%a,oratios.
!%ass )i!s. %i+ to
!%ass ,%o$
No
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -B
(oo$%e
Pa$e O,serve#
Pro7 Stu#et;
)aret
su,s!ri,ers7
Dis!ussios a#
Co**ets
a%%owe#7
Ne$ative oes
*o#erate#7
Cotet A&t"i
$ ot
ee#e#7
Mrs/ Ar#i$er5s
2# $ra#e C%ass
"tt)s?;;sites/$oo$%
e/!o*;site;+rist&ar
#i$er;Ho*e
Hes Aiew-o%& 6"i%e a $oo#
'or* o'
!o**ui!atio.
it is ot
itera!tive. wit"
t"e e4!e)tio o'
vo%uteer
si$u)s o
$oo$%e#o!s
Ho*ewor+
assi$*ets.
!%ass )"otos. %i+
to #istri!t
we,site.wee+%&
ews%etter.%i+s
to +i#s
s!ra),oo+s
0s*i%e,o43.
su**er ,oo+
%ists a#
we,%i+s.
vo%uteer si$
u)s. !a%e#ar.
!urri!u%u* %i+s.
No
Mrs/ Heu5s
Litera!& Site
"tt)s?;;sites/$oo$%
e/!o*;site;*rs"eu
;Ho*e
Hes Aiew-o%& Not itera!tive AR ,oo+s;tests.
we,%i+s.we, 2/C
too%s. stu#&
,oo+%ets
No
Ms/ (ar#er5s 1st
$ra#e
"tt)s?;;www/$oo$%
e/!o*;ur%78S"tt)s
O-AO2F
O2Fsites/$oo$%e/!
o*O2Fa
O2F@e''!os!"oo%s/
usO2F*s-$ar#er
O2FPsaSDPst:
S1Pus$SAFQ@CN
(WQ1D$4H&9S%N
!UI'6Ci"oC6X
($
Hes Aiew-o%& Not itera!tive Dai%& s!"e#u%e.
s)e%%i$ %ists.
*at" 'a!ts.
stu#et
vi#eo.!urri!u%u*
i$"t "a#out
No
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -D
Mrs/ >ire%&5s
Ei#er$arte
"tt)s?;;sites/$oo$%
e/!o*;a;@e''!os!"
oo%s/us;e,ire%&;"o
*e
Hes Aiew-o%&.
e4!e)t 'or
si$u)s
0usi$ Si$
U) (eius3
Not itera!tive Ca%e#ar.
s!"e#u%es. ews.
"o*ewor+
e4)e!tatios.
si$"t wor#s
No
Appendix C
Survey Per!ission For!
T"urs#a&. Mu%& TT. 2C19

Dear Parti!i)at.
6e are !o#u!ti$ so*e a!tio resear!" o wa&s tea!"ers !o**ui!ate !%assroo* i'or*atio/
It is a re8uire*et 'or oe o' t"e $ra#uate !ourses i w"i!" we "ave ero%%e#/ 6e are ero%%e# i
t"is !ourse a# !o#u!ti$ t"is resear!" so we !a !otiue to re'ie our )ra!ti!e a# )rovi#e
our stu#ets wit" t"e ,est )ossi,%e !%assroo* e4)erie!e/

I' &ou #e!i#e to )arti!i)ate i t"is stu#&. &ou wi%% ,e as+e# to !o*)%ete a o%ie surve& t"at wi%%
o%& ta+e a 'ew *iutes/ T"ere are o ri$"t or wro$ aswers/ Hour i#ivi#ua% aswers to t"e
8uestios wi%% ot ,e i#eti'ie# or )u,%is"e#/ 6e are ot !o%%e!ti$ a*es/ Hou *a& #is!otiue
&our )arti!i)atio i t"is stu#& at a& ti*e wit"out )ea%t&/

Asweri$ a# !o*)%eti$ t"ese o%ie 8uestioaires i#i!ates &our wi%%i$ess to )arti!i)ate
i t"is stu#&/ C%i!+i$ ,e%ow i#i!ates t"at &ou "ave rea# a# u#erstoo# t"is #es!ri)tio o' t"e
stu#& a# &ou a$ree to )arti!i)ate/

T"a+ &ou 'or &our ti*eV

E#u!ator Surve&? "tt)s?;;www/surve&*o+e&/!o*;s;FH1T(DP
Paret Surve&? "tt)s?;;www/surve&*o+e&/!o*;s;HT(P2BA
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -F

Mi%% 6eaver a# Tas"a 6i%!+e-E%ei
Appendix #
Surveys
SOCIAL MEDIA AS AN OPTION FOR PARENT-TEACHER COMMUNICATION -1