Information for Parents

[Jennifer Carbonneau]

I am now teaching ninth graders, and have weighed the power of a ning. I've set up a private ning for my students--invitation only. www.mrscarbonneau.ning.com ... You wont be able to view it, but my next issue is what information do you provide to parents--I am not anticipating the need for written permission (am I wrong?), but I do want to give them information regarding nings. Does anyone have a brochure or something that may help guide me in creating information for them?

[Rachel Kincaid]

People understand social networking very easily as soon as they dive in. If they trust you as a teacher, they will create profiles and begin using the system that day. I wouldn't worry on the proper presentation so much as the information that they receive in your ning community. Have fun with it! I am a distance education coordinator, and am getting ready to establish a ning page for our students as well.

[Jennifer Carbonneau]

Thank you, Rachel. I worry parents will be taken back when they discover that their child is functioning in a "social network." I'll explain it to them at the parent orientation and show them the space we will be using. I'm sure all will go well. I've got to stop anticipating the worst. Thanks again for your encouragement.

[Beth Willette]

Hi,

While you probably don't need permission from the parents, per se, it is always better to get parental buy-in. I would suggest showcasing the ning at your Open House or PTC meeting so parents can see exactly what their students are doing. It is also essential that you monitor the site carefully so that you can remove any inappropriate content immediatley and deal with the offender. One of the issues with nings is that the students can invite others to join once they become members. I strongly suggest you set up a control so that you have to approve any new members, if you have not already done so. You might also want to approve pictures and videos before they are posted...
When you send the letter out to parents, be sure to stress the educational purpose(s) for the ning and the security that you have established.

I will be using nings for the clubs I advise but I haven't created nings for my classes at this point because the district is just going to Moodle this year and I don't want to overwhelm parents or students. I have a family ning site that I show teachers and parents who have questions. (My family is spread all over the world and the ning and Skype keeps us all in touch and connected!)

[Jennifer Carbonneau]

Thank you for your feedback. I have set all postings to be approved by an adminstrator, and I will share that monitoring with a peer (if all goes well). I have also restricted members from inviting others and all members must be approved. I am still working on the letter. If anything else comes to mind, please think of me.

[Jody Raabe]

Jennifer - I too teach 9th grade (English & Social Studies, joint block) and the same for 8th grade. I would be very interested in the letter you're sending out to parents - I too am new at this! I was one of the first teachers in our district to use wikis (love 'em!) and now I'll be one of the first to use nings.

I'm going completely "classroom 2.0" with my core classes this year - we'll meet face-to-face but all our class notes and discussions will be posted online - either on the wiki, the ning, or moodle. I'm thinking that I might leave ning until October (or even second term) so that the kids get used to the wikis and moodle. That way I can learn a bit more about proper set-up before I let them loose, so to speak.

Jody

[Jennifer Carbonneau]

Jody,
I have constructed the attached letter to parents. I'd love to have your feedback.
Jen