Survey Outcome

After handing out the survey I had orignially anticapated an overwelming response to the class web site. Instead I received average feedback with 50-60 percent feeling that email and class web sites are effective tools to communicate. Majority felt that phone calls and paper notes are effective ways to communicate. I think that I have misjudged my community. I was expecting a greater response to using the technology over the phone calls and paper notes. This is an interesting stopping point for me to figure out my next cycle. I wish I could collaborate with other teachers so I am not the only person with an active web site. I think that this might be helpful to me if there were more teachers on staff doing what I am doing.

Survey

Today I sent home a parent survey regarding how I communicate with them. I am hoping that everyone will return them, but since I said it was optional I don't think I will. I am quite curious to see how I am rating with how I communicate with them. Some parents think and expect a great deal from their student's teacher. They often believe that they are the only parent around! Needless to say my desire is to be there for the students and the parents, but I have my moments due to bad experiences. Hopefully, I can layer more communication tools so parents don't feel left out or in the dark about their student's school experience.

The Lab

The PTA at my school has fundraise $80,000.oo for a computer lab! That is such an awesome amount of money, but the problem is the cost of purchasing a portable building keeps increasing and it will cost another $50,000.00 more, just for the construction and the building. This amount does not include the cost of new technology. At a parent PTA meeting, a parent suggested going wireless and using laptops. It was quite an ironic statement because, she admitted to having minimal technology experience. After putting my two cents worth of insight, a committee was formed to go visit a school in Orange County that uses a wireless laptop program. It was an incredible school with so many cool learning opportunities. I wish my school were more technologically inclined ( and I don't mean the overhead)!