Thing 13 – Online Conference Attendance: Kicking it up a Notch -Parental Engagement in the 21st Century – Leveraging Web 2.0 Tools to Engage Parents in Non-traditional Ways

I enjoyed reviewing the session noted in the title above.  While the content presentation style was a “bit dry”, the messaging was on target as it relates to building responsible web use strategies in our students.  The authors made the point that while students can benefit from discussions as to Internet safety, the best way for students to learn how to interact appropriately is by engaging with the tools to create appropriate content.  The authors also make the case that parents need extended opportunities to explore the tools that our students are using in order to be useful facilitators, guides, and supporters in use of online tools.

The most useful information I came across during the twenty minute session (which was produced using VoiceThread) was reference to a wiki page entitled Welcome to Parent 2.0. This wiki page is dedicated to parent involvement using Web 2.0 tools and the use of Parent Portals to increase the involvement of parents, especially those not likely to spend time within the  school.  I particularly liked a YouTube video post from this wiki page entitled What I Want for My Children. This approximate seven minute video is well worth watching and serves to remind us all why we educate children and how parents are our partners who want to be able to trust us to do a superior job with their loved one(s).

I believe the K12Online Conference website provides many opportunities for professional growth while affording individual pacing and choice.  All in all this comprehensive website provides a great tool for professional staff development on Web 2.0 tools and the progress of technology in the education of students!