An unexpected technology turn this year

Well, what I thought was going to be my technology focus this year turned out to be a bust. I tried getting computers running for my class again yesterday, but didn't get enough to log in for 15 students. Makes me so mad, but at least I didn't let it raise my blood pressure. Oh well...the students are used to it by now and are willing to share...and we'll hope for better in the new year.

BUT...I've been pleasantly surprised by the ease in which I'm communicating with my parents via e-mail and a website. I'm sure I have at least 1 or 2 e-mails from or to parents a day. I've communicated for many reasons, such as reminders, a certain child's mis-behaviour, the class's good behaviour one day, to tell parents the book order has arrived, to set up care team meetings, and the monthly newsletter. Every family is on my e-mail list.

I set up the website on a whim one day because I had taken so many pictures of my students on Halloween and on a field trip and didn't know how else I would share them with the parents. Within a few hours of inviting the parents, I think I had about half of them signed up. By now I have 16 parents on there. One parent lives away from his child and he has appreciated the fact that he can see his son at school. Another parent wanted copies of the pictures for her own album.

So, my technology component this semester has not been what I had hoped, but maybe this is even better. Parents have expressed great appreciation for the constant communication and the website. I'm thankful.