Enticing Parents to Sign into The Class Website with Audio Recordings

Summary of Findings:
Nisha Ganchar


Inquiry Questions Pursued:
- What can I do to encourage parents to sign into the website more in a Grade One classroom?
-Which types of technology will be most effective in reaching the above goal?

Findings:
This semester I was able to answer all the questions I had initially asked (in both semesters). I finished making an audio website. I wanted to upload a lot of photos and document my student’s days in hope that the parents would log in to keep up to date. This did not prove to be effective.
Using Garage Band, I then recorded the children’ voices reading their PM benchmark books (books used to evaluate reading proficiency in Grade One). I had the parents come to the school for a small workshop outlining the website and answer any questions. I found that the parents were very excited to hear their kid’s voices and the progress they have made in reading. Through surveys, website counter, and recording/journaling of parent comments, I saw that....
-there was a 300% increase in regular usage from 4 parents (in October) to 17 parents (in February).
-14 of those parents use it between 3-4 times per week.
-the children were excited about their parents being involved in their school reading.
-parents are up to date on their children’s growth and reading level.
-increased parent/teacher communication.

Summary of Learning:
Some insight I gained this semester is that technology is a very powerful tool, especially when it contains items of personal interest. Now that the parents had a place to listen to specifically their child’s voice, they were much more willing to sign into the collective class website. Due to the parents signing in more, they were also up to date on any class changes, newsletters etc. This has helped to eliminate the gap between home and school even more.
My initial question in first semester was, “is it worth it to put in all the time preparing a website?” A class website is definitely worth it, if you find ways to make it appealing to the parents. When parents are using a website regularly, the extra work put in is worth it. I have found that the only down side is the time spent making the site. The positives far outweigh the negatives when one looks at the way that parents feel comfortable talking to me and are up to date on all new school activities. I have even seen an improvement in reading scores with the kids in my class. They work harder knowing that their parents are interested/involved in their reading.

I believe this experience has changed my teaching style because I can see the positive aspects to putting in the extra work. I am more willing to put in the extra work in order to have a good relationship with the parents, and a diminishing gap between home and school. When I can partner with parents through reading, it benefits everyone, especially the children.