SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT FOR TEACHERS
As our world continues to expand and evolve digitally, our district's communication efforts rely heavily on mobile‐friendly websites and social media. Providing a window into the classroom, increasing communication among many widely‐used channels and sharing important information at a faster pace will increase trust, loyalty and engagement among your school's key stakeholders. Combining mobile and digital tactics with traditional methods of communication is a proven recipe for success. In this guide you will find checklists, tips and resources to help with your social and web‐based communication plans for your classroom.
CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATION Not What might be shared via social media or newsletter might not all channels are created equal. require a text or voice message to parents. The idea is to be consistent and appropriate in which areas you are sharing information. Consider the chart below as a recommendation on what to use each channel of communication for when sharing information.
Website
Voicemail/ Robocalls*
Calendar
Mobile Push Notifications*
Social Media
Voyager Express or Newsletter
Send Home
Emergency Alerts PR
(classroom moments, recognition, event photos, sports, etc.)
Event Dates & Reminders Forms & Documents Special Announcements PTA *Keep in mind: Robocalls, voicemails, and texts should be used with discretion. While they are extremely effective methods of communication, they are often ignored when used frequently and for not‐so‐important notifications.
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KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE Each social media platform has a distinct audience. Knowing the demographics of each platform will allow you to tailor the content you share and the voice in which you share it. Below are key demographics for the three top social media sites for school communication.
CHANNEL
DEMOGRAPHICS
Facebook is popular with individuals in all areas and across all incomes and backgrounds.
Twitter users tend to be young adults or business professionals.
Instagram users can be found across all demographics.
AGES
25-54; 60% female
15-29
13-29
PURPOSE
Build relationships
News & conversation; networking
Build relationships; conversation
ACTIVE MONTHLY USERS
1.7 billion
313 million
500 million Bb_K12-CommLeadersGuideToSocialMediaSuccess-PR.pdf statista.com
BE MINDFUL OF AGE RESTRICTIONS When using social media in the classroom, it is important to remember the age requirements for each platform. If you intend to use social media to communicate and engage with your students, be sure that the platform is available to them within the required age limits.
STUDENTS MUST BE AT LEAST 13 YEARS OF AGE TO USE THESE SITES
Please be mindful when posting to social media on how you address the content in which you share. Do not direct a message to students or request students to engage if they are under the age limit that is set by these social media platforms.
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MANAGING YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA PAGES Create a professional Page, NOT a personal account.
FACEBOOK PAGE CHECKLIST
Upload a high‐res COVER PHOTO; 815×351 Pixel Size (Landscape) Panoramic view of your classroom, an engaging collage of photos, etc. Make sure they are seasonally relatable (no snow photos in Sept!) Upload a high‐res PROFILE PHOTO; 180×180 pixels (Portrait style) Created on canva; your name on the whiteboard. Make sure the picture is clear and visible; within the 180×180 square. Complete your profile details Name: your professional name; Mrs. Jones, 7th Grade Science, PCIS Username: this is your personalized Facebook URL. @MrsJonesPCISScience. You can only change this twice so think before saving. Contact: Add as much information as possible, including, your schools' website link. *There will be sections that do not apply to your account, therefore you can leave them blank. The sections you leave blank will not show to the public.
SETTINGS & SECURITY Consider the following recommendations when securing your settings: UNDER GENERAL SETTINGS Make sure your page is published and verified. Visitor posts: you can disable this setting so no one can post to your page. It is one less part of the page you will have to manage. Tagging Ability: Set to "only people who manage the page can tag photos." This will ensure no one is tagging photos of students you share. Profanity filter: set to STRONG UNDER MESSAGING SETTINGS If you choose to allow the public to message you, use the Response Assistance feature to create an instant reply, such as, "Thank you for your message. If you need immediate assistance, please reach me via email at xxxxxxx@plymouth.k12.ma.us, otherwise, I will get back to you as soon as I can. Thank you!" UNDER NOTIFICATIONS SETTINGS You can set your settings to receive email and/or text notifications. We recommend turning on your setting to be notified right away when a new comment is made on your posts.
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Providing all contact information, emergency school phone numbers, and your schools' website links will let your stakeholders know how to contact you and where to find more information. The set-up checklists below will help guide you in creating complete and consistent pages.
TWITTER PAGE CHECKLIST Upload a high‐res HEADER PHOTO; 1500×500 Pixel Size (Landscape) Panoramic view of your classroom, an engaging collage of photos, etc. Make sure they are seasonally relatable (no snow photos in Sept!) Upload a high‐res PROFILE PHOTO; 400×400 pixels (Portrait style) Use the same profile photo as Facebook to keep your branding consistent; easy to find. Make sure the picture is clear and visible; within the 400×400 square. Complete your profile details @username: Try to get your twitter username to be as close to your class name as possible. It can be up to 15 characters. Name: your professional name; Mrs. Jones, 7th Grade Science, PCIS Bio: Add a short bio, slogan and *hashtag for your class. *Always test a hashtag before using it. Website: add your school website link.
INSTAGRAM PAGE CHECKLIST Upload a high‐res PROFILE PHOTO; 180×180 pixels (Portrait style) Use the same profile photo as Facebook to keep your branding consistent; easy to find. Make sure the picture is clear and visible; within the 180×180 square. Complete your profile details Name: your professional name; Mrs. Jones, 7th Grade Science, PCIS Username: this is your personalized Instagram URL. Try to get your school name, but abbreviate where it makes sense to. Bio: Add a short bio, slogan and *hashtag for your school. *Always test a hashtag before using it. Website: add your school website link. Make it a business account (NEW): You can now link your Instagram account with your Facebook Page. In doing so, you will be able to have clickable contact information in your bio as well as receive monthly analytics.
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WHAT TO POST Now that your profiles have been set‐up and you've identified your audience for each social media platform, it's time to post! The biggest hesitation when it comes to tackling social media is knowing what to share and how often. Facebook and Twitter audiences expect relevant content, social interaction. Your social media pages are used by parents and families as their connection to your class.
#
ALWAYS SEARCH A HASHTAG BEFORE USING!
• Share timely news & announcements. • INCLUDE IMAGES & VIDEO ‐ for the highest engagement rate. To be sure the hashtag you want to use is associated with • Show behind the scenes, things not everyone has access too. appropriate messages, images and links, simple search the • Share parent and student resources. hashtag on social media • Upcoming field trips platforms before using. • A week in review • Highlight honors and achievements. • Create a hashtag for your classroom and use it in every post on Twitter and Instagram.
TIPS • Be professional. Maintain the same personal boundaries that you have with parents and students in the classroom setting. • Keep the focus on teaching and learning • Do not post blurry photos. • Retweet and share posts, but ONLY when relevant. • Always have your school's mission in mind when posting. • Respond to comments and show appreciation. • Use real words, not jargon. • Share among platforms. Link a photo from Instagram to Twitter or post an update from Twitter to Facebook with a link to the original Twitter post.
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER... Photos or video with students on the Photo Restriction List cannot be shared on any social media platform, website, or newsletter. Your school administrators and office staff have the Photo Restriction list for your school. When posting a photo or video, only use the student's first name in the description. I.e. "Sarah, grade 4" P L Y M O U T H
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HELPFUL DESIGN TOOLS There are simple and user‐friendly tools that help in creatively sharing your classroom's story and engaging parents, families, students and the community.
Brand YOUR photos and create beautiful flyers in minutes with DESIGN WITH CANVA Canva. Allow students to explore their creative side by using Canva in the classroom.
Flyers
Social Media Posts
Cover Photos
Photo Collages
Infographics
Posters
Letterhead
Save simple templates for flyers, posters, or important announcements and use them over and over again. Canva has a full desktop version with an iPhone app as well. www.canva.com
CREATE INFOGRAPHICS WITH PIKTOCHART Piktochart is another great design tool that allows you to visually tell a story or explain a lesson.
OTHER HELPFUL APPS
REPOST
OVER
PICMONKEY
LEGEND
WORD SWAG
Easily repost photos from other Instagram accounts to yours. Iphone & Android App
Edit photos. Add text & artwork to pictures. Iphone & Android App
Create photo collages. Add text to photos. Iphone & Android App Desktop picmonkey.com
Animate text. Perfect for promoting events and important dates. Iphone & Android App
Generate inspiring quotes on your photos. Iphone & Android App
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@plymouthpublicschoolsMA @plymouthsch @plymouthpublicschools
Emily Goonan, Media & Communications Specialist egoonan@plymouth.k12.ma.us