The Use of Social Media (2)

The Use of Social Media The Use of Social Media • How How York Public Schools uses Facebook and York Public Schools uses Facebook and Twitter as tools for communication and professional collaboration professional collaboration

Mike Lucas York Public Schools mike lucas@yorkdukes org mike.lucas@yorkdukes.org

Facebook •Almost everyone knows about Facebook •Our first involvement with it and the skepticism we all had WHAT we did… we did •WHAT •Started a “York Public Schools” page in 2009‐10 that is managed by my secretary and I •Kerri adds announcements and reminders on a daily basis •We also add pictures, student achievement data highlights, trivia, videos, etc. on a regular basis regular basis •Put the word out about how our students, parents, alumni, and patrons can “like” YPS on Facebook and we now have over 460 that “like” us •We used the YPS Facebook Page and a new “group” titled “Vote YES for YHS” during the bond issue campaign this past fall bond issue campaign this past fall •It was a great outlet to get “the facts” out to people and helped with many of our younger students that are in college, etc.

•Look at the YPS page and how we manage it as a link from our www.yorkpublic.org site •WHAT we’ve noticed…

•Facebook shouldn’t be your only line of communication but it has been a great addition for parents, patrons, and students. We receive lots of compliments from parents about reminders and our accessibility for questions. You need to check it daily for “posts.”

•Our sports teams and clubs use them and that’s been a big hit also. d l b h d h ’ b b h l •Facebook is used by a LARGE % of your patrons. Most check it daily as their default page.

•Be careful with your “personal” use vs. “professional” use.

TWITTER •Might not be as popular as Facebook but I think it is more meaningful and powerful •I signed up as “YorkDukePower” in July 2009 but didn’t get serious about it until May 2010 •Twitter Tid‐Bits •It is a micro‐blogging site that allows you to post messages up to 140 characters in length •“Hashtags” (#) are very important. See samples from #yorkdukes •Your “timeline” is based off who you follow…Tweet Deck application •Great “search” icon •The power of Twitter is in who you follow…it can be meaningful or a big waste of time •Twitter as a Communication Tool •Great way to share quick updates and pictures from concerts, games, school events, etc.

•#nebpreps •Easy to manage from smartphone •Great way to use hashtags and “@ mentions” to put out questions world‐wide about topics of importance to you •Live chats about education •Live chats about education •Twitter as a Professional Learning Network (PLN) •Be creative in your profile key words •Be selective in who you follow to build up your professional learning network •It has become the #1 source of professional development I get •It has become the #1 source of professional development I get •YPS staff has used it collaboratively to share ideas, resources, etc.

•YorkDukePower account

Wrap‐Up p p •www.ncsa.org for article that John Skretta put together on “Social Media” for Winter Edition of “NCSA Today” •“Trending” and “Direct Messages” •Great people/organizations to follow on Twitter: •@YorkDukePower •@jskretta •@coreydahlevent •@carlysvoice (autistic student) •@mrbadura •@chericson •@NMHS Principal •@NMHS_Principal •@web20classroom •@educationweek •@ASCD •@eInstruction •@Coach_Sautter •@KarenHaase •Best of Luck!

mike.lucas@yorkdukes.org (402) 362‐6655 ext. #4