1. Using Blogging as a Home – School Communication Tool. Karen Sintmaartensdijk

2. Aim To use the blog as a home – school communication tool, to increase parents knowledge of what is happening in the classroom.

3. www.nevns10.blogspot.com

4. Methodology Send home information sheet to parents along with blog address cards. Included in this was consent forms for children’s photos to be posted on blog. Set up blog at beginning of term 3.

5. Methodology cont…. Distribute blog survey to parents at beginning of term 4 to gather feedback. Use blog as reading station. Look at blog and comments with class daily. Add a daily post to blog throughout the term.

6. Survey Results

7. 1. How often do you as a parent visit the blog ?

8. 2. If you visit the blog, how long do you spend looking at it??

9. 3. How long does your child spend on the blog ?

10. 4. Did you find the blog address cards useful to give to family and friends ?

11. 5. How often do you leave a comment on the blog ?

12. 6. Would it have been useful to have instructions on how to leave a comment ?

13. 7. Do you think the blog keeps you informed of what is happening in the classroom more effectively than a newsletter ?

14. 8. Would you like to see the blog continued ?

15. Parent’s Survey Comments “It would be great if there was link from the NEVNS website to get to the class blog site. Silva’s extended family in Paraparaumu look at the blog so it is a good way for family out of town to keep in contact and see what she is up to. It is great to see all the photos of class and school events and it is a good way to communicate about school events with Silva while looking at the blog together.”

16. “The blog is a great idea. Kane is very proud of it.” “This blog is fantastic. His grandmother looks at it in Japan.” “I think the blog is a great idea. My family and I enjoy going on the net and having a look.” Parent’s Survey Comments cont….

17. “Computer homework would be great. We love looking at the photos.” “The whole family spends time looking at the blog. It’s great because family and friends can all see it. It’s a great idea as children rarely say what they are doing at school.” Parent’s Survey Comments cont….

18. “Great job. We have really enjoyed looking as a family and appreciate all your hard work and effort.” “It is fantastic. We enjoy looking at the photos and reading the work on there.” “Shay’s grandparents both in Auckland and Fiarlie visit the blog frequently. They really enjoy it as we don’t see them, too often.”

19. Conclusions Success. I can confidently say that blogging is an effective home – school communication tool.

20. Comments posted on blog… “ Well done Oliver. Great to see you achieving your goals. Love Dad.” “Experimental class is very good program for children. Syun performs experiment ‘sink and float’ over and over again when he gets home.”

21. “Hi Lucas. It’s mum. I am really proud of the reading you have been doing and how well you are reading.” “Wow! There were some great stories about being a tiger. I liked the interesting adjectives you used. It was great to see a simile in there too. The one about fur being as soft as velvet. Keep up the great writing.” Comments posted on blog…

22. Children’s comments VIDEO

23. Next Steps Include instructions for parents on how to post a comment! Enhancing the blog with more than just photos. More interaction with other school’s blogs. Getting the children to take more ownership of the blog.

24. Thankyou