Presented at the Annual Conference of National Black Child Development Institute on October 8, 2012

1. POST, PIN AND TWEET: HOW
AND WHEN TO USE
TECHNOLOGY & SOCIAL MEDIA
FRAN SIMON, M.ED.
ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES, LLC.
#NBCDIConf

2. #NBCDIConf

3. Agenda
• Sorting out “technology”
• Tech in the classroom:
• Social Media

4. Slides
Tech with Children:
http://ow.ly/ei1Im
Social Media: Slides
http://ow.ly/ei1Du

5. Sorting out technology

6. Using “technology”
• Social networking • Career
• Banking and household • Communication with
• Personal growth.. enrolled families &
colleagues
Professional
Personal
Networking
Uses by adults
for adults
Uses with
children
Professional
Classroom
Development
• With the children • Impacts Practice with
children and families

7. 5 Reasons to Use Technology
• Enhances real life experiences
• Enhances engagement
• Assists people with special needs
• Allows communication
• Increases efficiency
• Makes things easier

8. Making Choices About Tech:
It’s the Leader’s…
• choices
…with the staff for the
children and families
• planning
…with the staff for the
children and families
• responsiveness
…to the staff, children
and families
• relationships
…with the staff and program
ecosystem

9. Technology in the Early
Childhood Classroom

10. You Make the Choices
Be a critical consumer.
You, the teachers, and
the parents are the
gatekeepers who
stand between
technology and children.

11. Tech tools
* old & new *
* analog & digital *
* low & hi-tech *
Copyright, Simon 2012

12. NAEYC/FRC Joint Position Statement on
Technology in ECE CLASSROOMS
http://www.naeyc.org/content/technology-and-young-children
12
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth

13. You don’t have to use technology.
If you do use tech tools
intentionally, you will find they are
not always the best choice.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 13

14. Teachers should
consider
technology tools
additional
materials that
allow children to
“do” and
teachers to
facilitate.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 14

15. Intentional Daily Routines
• Plan technology use as just
another option like books,
crayons, blocks etc.
• Examine the learning
objectives and make
choices that fit
• Work with children to
review their choices in all
areas of the room
throughout the week

16. Computer Software
 Meaningful
Pedagogical value
Engaging
Interactive “Sticky”
 Productive
 Up to date
© Copyright Nemeth and Simon, 2102 16

17. Decisions about using software:
Basic pedagogical decisions
• What are the objectives?
• Is this the right tool for the objective?
• Does it extend other activities?
• Is it interactive?
• Is the interaction meaningful?
• Does it fit in with the
project/theme/study?
• Does it work with the curriculum?
• What is my role using this software?

18. Decisions about using software:
A question of balance
Is the software for:
• A large group, small group, or for
individual children?
• Teacher-directed or child-initiated
activities?
• Open-ended or skill-focused?
• Short periods of time or deeper
exploration?

19. Decisions about using software:
Usability and instructional design
Is the software:
• Flashy, distracting, overwhelming or just
enough appealing graphics and sounds
to engage, but not distract?
• Free of ads or enticements for children?
• Deemed safe by trusted resources?
• Easy for children to navigate
independently?
• Provide feedback to guide children?
• Interactive with meaning or just fun?

20. Adults need
technology
“play time” AND
formal
professional
development to
understand the
implications of
the tools
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 20

21. http://bit.ly/DigilitECTeach
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 21

22. Research will inform ongoing
practice and investments (or
not!)
22
Copyright, Simon

23. Investments in technology tools are
wasted without investments in
professional development.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 23

24. Digital literacy learning
should be woven into the
fabric of the day, not
time set aside for
“computer time”.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 24

25. Equity: Include technology that
enhances dual language learning,
represents diversity, and allows
access for children with disabilities.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 25

26. Time limits: Guidelines and
expectations should consider variables
like age, objectives, and type of
interaction.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 26

27. How Much Time?
Recommendations from
Digital Decisions
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 27

28. Tech for infants and
toddlers: Laptime and
floortime with the
youngest children
might include
technology, but in very
limited cases, for a few
minutes at a time and
ONLY with an adult.
Copyright, Simon and Nemeth 28

29. Resources for Teachers, Parents and Staff
Review site
Technology position
statement and fantastic
resources to support it.
Resources for ECE teachers
and administrators
Resources for ECE teachers
and administrators
Fred Rogers Center’s Early
Learning Environment
Resources and tips for
teachers
A website and newsletter
summarizes products and
trends in children’s media

30. Resources for Teachers, Parents and Staff
Information for teachers about
reading and literacy activities
American Library Association –
Listing of great sites for children
and teachers
International Reading Library-
free ebooks from around the
world
Songs, ryhmes and traditions
from around the world.
Free ebooks to read online

31. Social Media

32. Social Networking
Social =
Networking =
32

33. Social Media=
33

34. It’s social. We’re doing business! Why
do we need social media?
© Fran Simon Copyright, 2012 34

35. Social Media Myths from the resisters!
It’s just for kids.
 It is one more thing to do.
We can’t keep it up.
 Privacy! Yikes!

36. Social Media Myths from the happy camp!
 It’s easy!
 It’s FREE!
 Build it and they will come.
 It’s INSTANT!
 College kids are gr8 at it!
 It will increase MEMBERSHIP! 36

37. Social Media Realities
 It is pervasive
 It is high-impact
 It’s just 21st century communication

38. Communication Evolution
Before Social Media
Pushing out messages
EVOLUTION
Social WisdoM
Inviting INTERACTION
Word of mouth
© Fran Simon Copyright, 2012 38

39. Parent Engagement Evolution
Conventional
Wisdom
• Tell audiences
EVOLUTION
• Inform audiences
• Educate audiences
Social Wisdom
• Invite target audiences to engage
• Give them reasons to say good things
© Fran Simon Copyright, 2012 39

40. Engage(ment)
• involve people intensely
• attract people
• draw people into conversation
• to take part or participate
- World English Dictionary
It’s interactive!

41. Professional Social Media :
is art and science that takes:
• Openness
• Planning
• Persistence
• Policies
• Training

42. &
Loss of “control” Defensive: Claim your territory
Inability to sustain the effort Reach audiences where they go
Privacy Demonstrate accountability
Staff distraction Another way to broadcast info
Transparency Respond to problems
Monitoring/Listening
Build partnerships
Get and share information
Build
Increased website traffic, SEO
Credibility 42

43. Social Media has
everything to with providing
services to children
If they can’t find you and interact with,
advocate for, or support you.

44. Tips: Best Practice

45. Do Not give It to the intern
(without training and supervision)

46. Social media
Board engagement
Funders requires buy-in and
support from the
I/T program
“ecosystem”
Director
Community Main Office
Partners
Tech Lead
Teachers
Vendors Support Staff
Families
Copyright, Simon and Donohue

47. Empower your teams…
…with positive social media policies
© Fran Simon Copyright, 2012 47

48. Know Your Target Audiences
Target
Your Ecosystem
Parents Staff Supporters
Partners Funders
Community
Donors
Policymakers

50. Post “Cravable” Content
• Blog posts
• Videos
• Email newsletters
• Events
• News
• Website content
• Other Flavors

51. The right mix of engaging info
What’s in it for “me”?
Our program.
Our needs. What’s going on
Our interests. and what’s great
about us!
20%
Promotion
80%
About relevant, useful
information © Fran Simon Copyright, 2012 51

52. Listen and
Respond to
Your
Organization’s
“Competitors”
& Partners
What they post is often as
important to your organization as
what you have to say.

53. How much SOCIAL?
ABOUT
of your overall time on outreach
53

54. Social Media=
54

55. Blogging
Very deep, robust, & broad

56. What’s a blog?
“Web log”
Conceived as
online journals Blogs in Plain English

57. Blogs and Websites? 03
Blogs Websites
Less formal Formal
Allow (invite) One to many
comments communication
Immediate Reviewed and edited
Weave in links to Intended to keep the
other sites, blogs visitor on the site
Focused, current, Comprehensive:
and topical products, services,
Updated frequently More static (except
news, sales, press)

58. Increase SEO
03
Attract people to your site
Why Blog?
Engage more personally
Provide commentary
Humanize

59. Comment on Other Blogs

60. Read B4 blogging
•I’m Just Sayin’ by Dr. Lisa Lewis http://drbisa.blogspot.com/
•Birth to Thrive Online: http://birthtothrive.thrivebyfivewa.org/
• Early Ed Watch: http://earlyed.newamerica.net/blogmain/
• Lead from the Start http://circle-time.blogspot.com/
• Early Stories http://earlystories.org/
• Language Castle: http://languagecastle.com/wordpress
• Preschool Matters Today: http://preschoolmatters.org/
•The Grass Stain Guru http://grassstainguru.com/
• Teach Preschool http://www.teachpreschool.org/
• 140+ In The Moment http://fssimon.wordpress.com/
• Early Childhood Investigations http://earlychildhoodwebinars.com/blog-2

61. Fast, Complex, Broad, Not Deep
Twitter

62. “Microblogging” 14 characters or less
Most often with links to information

63. Tweeting In Action: Decoding the
Symbols
@Twitter ID (@NBCDI)
A tweet to a specific person that is visible to all
RT @Twitter ID= ReTweet (RT @NBCDI)
Broadcasting someone else’s tweet
D TwitterID (D NBCDI)
A direct message to a specific person (They must be following
you, and you following them)
# = Hashtag
Hashtags define topics so they are searchable

64. The Art of the Link and the Hashtag

65. #ECE #parents
#earlyed #naeyc
#prek #NBCDI
#preschool #headstart
#childcare #HSprofs

66. LinkedIn
Slow, Robust, Deep & Broad

67. #1 Misconception
It’s for job searching 67

68. “Propersonal”
• Not anonymous
• Professional
68

69. Core
• Professional Profiles
• Groups
• Status updates
• Company Profiles
69

70. Facebook
Fast, Complex, Broad, Vast

71. 1 thing to remember
Business pages

72. Gr8 Examples of ECE on
Facebook
•NAEYC
• McCormick Cntr 4 Early Childhood Leadership
• National Head Start Association
• Child Care Resource Center, Ohio *
• Children’s Defense Fund *
• Bright Horizons
•Teach Preschool * 23,000 + (WOW!)
• Teaching Strategies
• Language Castle
• The InvestiGator Club
• Erikson Institute
• Early Childhood Investigations

73. Like an art gallery. A visual Internet with
your friends as docents.
Pinterest

74. Let’s Pin!

75. Get in there…
* Follow others …
* View videos and webinars…
* Get a social media buddy…
To learn it
* Get buy-in
* Plan…
* Develop policies
© Fran Simon Copyright, 2012 75

76. Thank you!
Fran@ECEtech.net
76

77. Fran@ECEtech.net
#ECETECHCHAT
Early Childhood Technology Network
ECEtech.net

78. Slides
Tech with Children:
http://ow.ly/ei1Im
Social Media: Slides
http://ow.ly/ei1Du

79. People /Sites you should
03
Beth Kanter
know
John Haydon
Mashable, Social Media
Linked Strategies
Hubspot Marketing Resources

80. Additional Resources
Social media resources for getting started
Social Media planning tools on my site
Twitter Tips, Tricks, and Power Tools
LinkedIn Presentations