Keeping parents and teachers connected with 5 popular apps

Twitter

Once considered inappropriate for classroom use, Twitter and other social media are becoming commonplace in schools across the nation. Teachers can use Twitter to engage students on lessons and assignments, and parents can view classroom accounts to see what is being taught. Parents can follow teacher accounts to stay connected. Shannon McClintock-Miller, the district teacher librarian at Van Meter Community School in Iowa, is a great example of how Twitter can help connect parents, educators, and students. She can be followed @shannonmmiller.

The Twitter app can be downloaded in the App Store and Google Play.

Facebook

Unlike the microblogging site Twitter, which is limited to 140 characters, Facebook lets users post content, including images and video, without length restrictions.

Some teachers have students create a classroom Facebook page to discuss and keep up with assignments and projects, while some districts have a page to share news and updates related to the school. John Skretta, Ph.D., is the superintendent of the Norris School District in Firth, Neb., and explains how Facebook can be an integral part of the school district for educators, administrators, and parents alike.

Access the Facebook app in the App Store and Google Play.

Skype

Did you know that more than 80,000 teachers worldwide use Skype in the classroom? One of the marvels of modern technology is the ability to communicate instantly with someone halfway around the globe. The free audio/visual messaging service Skype is already implemented in language courses, and can be used in lieu of a telephone for the busy or traveling parent wishing to speak with their child’s teacher.

For more on how Skype can turn classrooms into virtual field trips, read here.

Skype is offered in the App store and Google Play.

BuzzMob

No, it’s not a 70′s punk band. BuzzMob is a new mobile app that brings parents, educators, and administrators together. How does it work? The app syncs with your current location and connects you with the people around you in a real-time, live community. By joining GPS-defined “Rings” in the smartphone app, “BuzzMobbers” within the same location can connect instantly and talk, exchange ideas, and share multimedia.

Download BuzzMob in the App Store or Google Play.

Remind

Looking for a safe and secure way for teachers, parents, and students to communicate? Remind (formerly Remind101) offers a unique way to keep students and parents connected with text messages about academics and school activities. For more on how this app works, watch this brief informational video clip.

Remind is available in the App Store and Google Play.

Source:  Sharnoff, M. (2014). eSchool News, http://www.eschoolnews.com

Study Guides and Strategies

www.studygs.net

Have you ever found yourself in need of direction in your studies? Well, I was there today and turned to Google for help. What I found during my search was the Study Guides and Strategies website.

The site, which was first authored by Joe Landsberger in 1996, is an international, learner-centric, educational public service. It boasts 255 topics presented in 39 languages. The site is intended to be used by middle school students through returning adults, as well as by parents, teachers and support professionals. "Its resources are intended to empower all learners without regard to institutional and national boundaries; cultural mores and religious beliefs; race, gender and sexual rientation." (studygs.net)

The website's copyright disclaimer is very liberal; "Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt, and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners." (studygs.net)

Review by Lee Putnam
ED638 effective literacy project under the direction of Dr. Rivera

Effective Literacy Website: Storyline Online

Storyline Online (http://www.storylineonline.net/) is appealing for several reasons.  First, the layout of the website is very eye-catching.  This invites you to explore the website a little more.  The visuals and audio are wonderful.  Secondly, each book is read aloud.  You will love how simple the website is.  Information does not overwhelm the website.

The home page of Storyline Online is full of vibrant, inviting colors.  Each book is large enough to see the details of the covers and there are sound effects if you scroll over each book.  When you click on the book, it leads you to a video of the Read-Aloud.  The video is a good size for the website.  It is not too large or too small.

Each video is read aloud by a celebrity.  The length of the Read-Aloud is given as well as a short synopsis of the book.  Each book is beautifully read.  Images from the book are shown in the video.

The simplicity of the website is wonderful.  It is very easy to navigate and there are not many words to overwhelm the website.  There are no advertisements on the corners to distract from it and all the links work well.

Although the amount of books offered is limited, they have popular titles such as The Rainbow Fish, Stellaluna, Harry the Dirty Dog, and Knots on a Counting Rope.  There are only twenty-four total books available on the website.  Hopefully, a larger variety of books will be provided later on the website.

Storyline Online is a resourceful website for parents, students, or other teachers.  Experiencing Read-Alouds is very important when developing literacy skills in children.  Some children may not be exposed to this when they begin to read.  This website affords children this experience.  It is very colorful and may attract the attention of young children simply because of its aesthetic appeal.  Videos are attached to each book so that the children may have a better Read-Aloud experience.

Image Source: http://www.sagfoundation.org/files/storyline-online-logo.png

*Contributed by Rachel Flores in partial fulfillment for ED638:  Teaching with the Internet instructed by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera



Effective Literacy Website: Bookemon

Bookemon:  http://www.bookemon.com/

It is an apparatus used for creating and sharing books online. A membership is needed to access all the great features, but it is free to join. Bookemon gives educators the option of having an “edCenter” for classes and groups projects. The edCenter is a user-friendly and secure place for groups to have a private and controlled environment. It is a free opportunity and all edCenter members receive a discount of 5% off any books that they decide to purchase.

Bookemon is great for young aspiring authors. Readers of all ages can find something that suits them in the large variety of books available. It is an effective literacy website because it serves as a utility that positively promotes the idea that anyone can become an author. Students will be encouraged and motivated to read, write, and share through Bookemon.

*Contributed by Rachel Flores in partial fulfillment for ED638:  Teaching with the Internet instructed by Dr. Matilda Naputi Rivera