Journal #6

The article, 'Transforming School Communities', discusses how important communication is in education. Web 2.0 tools allow for this need to be met. In order for this to happen, you first need to familiarize yourself with the tools. It is important to incorporate these web 2.0 tools when communicating within your district's plan. You need to send out a clear message. Your ideas or input should present a clarity that allows others to understand. You also need to understand that education is very diverse which is why you need to know your audience or who you are communicating with. Your message should be tailored to your audience. Another idea the writer presents is that you need to create opportunities to educate. If you don't put forth the effort to educate then your ideas remained confined. You need to be creative and use multiple tools to help you reach success. Email is a great example of this. Teachers should also make time for communication and allow it to be a part of their student's lives. A lot of teachers may find it hard to incorporate such things into their lessons. Web 2.0 tools are a great lead into communication and its benefits. In order for this vision to happen, teachers and educators need to advocate the cause. Putting the message out there is the only way to reach others. This will allow for a great social network and support from other educators. Teachers and administrators should be given the opportunity to learn from each other. Networking through technology supports this idea. Web 2.0 gives us the opportunity to collaborate with others and that is a necessity in today's education.

Questions ...
1. Why is using Web 2.0 tools a key part of district communication strategy?
Answer: School leaders will not have to educate alone. These tools, combined with other strategies, can create a deeper understanding for education and what it has to offer. A new openness can be reached that is ultimately necessary. With these tools you can form a network of support and with that support comes success for both the students and educators.

2. What are some ways to invite participation in such tools?
Answer: Surveys can always help because you are able to understand where other educators and parents are coming from. Emailing and literally inviting them into your network is another way to get them curious. Keeping up with all the recent updates and news regarding technology in education is a must. This can be done by subscribing to newsletters, articles, or magazines. Having a school blog is an awesome way to keep communication with your fellow co-workers and remain up to date with the newest educational technology.


Citation...
Soule, H (2008 August). Transforming School communities: Creating Dialogue Using Web 2.0 Tools. ISTE, 1, Retrieved July 30, 2008, from http://www.iste.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=August_No_1_1&Template=/MembersOnly.cfm&NavMenuID=4077&ContentID=21317&DirectListComboInd=D