Introduction

Technology is becoming more widespread throughout the world and everyday life. Many
school districts are realizing that technology is making more of an impact everyday on the lives
of students and their education. One of the biggest impacts technology can have is with the line
of communication, especially in the education world. In order for there to be communication
from the school to parents, students and the community; tools such as social media, flash drives,
blogs and video conferencing are becoming more common and easier to access.
Technology to Enhance Communication
Social Media: Social media can be defined as internet applications that allow for the widespread
sharing and communication of user generated information (Cooper. 2015). The definition in itself
proves why teachers should take advantage of this technological advancement. Social media is
basically defined as a resource that allows one to build a profile and then create a list of friends
(Cooper. 2015). Students could benefit greatly from a class Facebook or Twitter account there
has been a 79 percent increase in social media use amongst school age children since 2012
(Horn. 2014). With this dramatic increase there are several users and many students, parents and
community members could receive important class updates rather efficiently. Twitter and
Facebook accounts can be activated on a phone so most people would receive information from
the class page almost instantly. Social media can also offer a place for everyone, parents,
teachers, students and the community to collaborate on ideas for field trips, fundraisers and even
projects that the students will be interested in. Teachers could also reach out to community
members to bring them into the school for special presentations. Another positive of social media
is that it is available for access through many devices. As long as an internet connection is
available then these sites can be reached. Technology is changing how kids grow up (Steve.

2013). Todays kids are growing up with technology and have access to an internet connection
almost anywhere. Social media is a great idea for use in a classroom because it allows the teacher
to communicate with teachers, parents and the community. They can quickly announce test
changes, delays or dismissal notices and even events where community volunteers are needed.

Animoto / YouTube (Video Conferencing): Video conferencing has been around since the 1970s
and is just recently becoming popular thanks to You Tube and Animoto (Penrose.1984). Video
conferencing can be used in the classroom to provide the students videos that can help explain
the lesson as well as songs to help make the lesson enjoyable. YouTube offers user generated
videos that can be played within a classroom as long as they are for educational purposes
(Kervin. 2014). Teachers can find many videos on a wide range of subjects. Animoto allows for
videos to be created from user generated pictures, music and their voice (Yee. 2012). Students
can create video book reports and other class assignments that before were unobtainable.
Teachers can also use video conferencing for meetings, whether it is a parent teacher conference
of a school board meeting. With a two way system such as skype they can see each other and
both parties can ask questions and get feedback from one another. Video conferencing opens up a
whole new multi cultured world for students. This allows for the students to interact with one
another and understand one anothers cultures through a video system (Eristi. 2012). Tutoring
can also be done over a video. Video chatting allows for parents, teachers, students and the
community to engage in conversation and interaction with one another without having to be in
the same vicinity.

Class Website/Blog: Students today have grown up with technology and want their education to
further that. Students who physically take the class expect teachers to have online materials for
them to access (Dunn. 2011). A class website allows the teacher to share pertinent information
with the students, parents and the community. Important reminders, test dates, review links and
other resources they find important to their class. Many times there is even at least one video of a
lesson so that the community can see what is being taught with their tax paying dollars. The class
website offers that one place where every student and parent should go in order to find out
anything pertaining to the class. Many times there are blog features within these sites. This
allows for teachers and anyone else to engage in conversation (Dunn. 2011). A blog basically
contains a journal that can be commented on (Venable. 2014). This also teaches collaboration
amongst the students. They are able to work together to refine one anothers work and turn in a
well-rounded assignment. Blogs also offer a place for parents and the community to weigh in on
upcoming events and projects. A class website or blog is a place where each students and parent
knows to go in case of any form of question.

Digital Storage: Digital storage can include any device such as DVDs. CDs, Flash drives, cell
phones and even calculators (Schrock.2003). These storage devices allow for information to be
saved to them and then transferred somewhere else so they can be viewed without having to drag
a lot of technology with you. Teaches can assign group assignments so that each student can do
their part even when not in class. Parents are able to download information for their kids on their
home computers and community members can borrow it to view what is going on in class. This
is also a great way to share pictures. At community events there is usually community members
who take pics. Having them on flash drives allows for ease of sharing. Having so many different

ways to store data and take it around also allows for international trade and convergent of ideas.
The many ways to share allow for many people to view the information with ease.

Communication Internet Security and Safety

Teachers need to ensure that at the beginning of the year they go over the internet safety
rule with each student. The rules should then be posted around the room and also reminded at the
beginning of each semester. There should also be a print form of the rules that should be sent
home with each child. Parents should then sign the sheet stating they have read the information
and agree to face the consequences if their child disobeys. During the first parent teacher
conference or even open house the teacher should explain the rule to the parents that way they
have received the rules in several different manners, as well as the students. Teaches can make it
easier for parents by offering website links to internet safety within their class webpage or at the
bottom of the page of rules that is sent home. There are many risks that some kids are not even
aware of such as cyberbullying, privacy issues, and solicitation (Moreno. 2013). Education the
kids and keeping an eye on what they are doing while on the computer can help to ensure their
safety. If students are taught the warning signs of internet trouble or security breach hen
hopefully they will remain safe while browsing the internet, especially at school.

Concluding Paragraph (4-6 sentences)

Communication is vital to the progress of the world and more importantly to the progress of
education. Teachers need to be aware of the different technology they have at their hands and put
it all to use. They need to be able to stay in contact with parents, students and the community in

order to bring their students the best education they as a teacher can provide. Social media, video
conferencing, websites/blogs and digital storage devices are only a few of the many ways
teachers can communicate. Technology is ever changing and teachers have to embrace it in order
to teach their students.

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