Summary: In 2016, a <a href="http://www.journalism.org/2016/05/26/news-use-across-social-media-platforms-2016/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pew Research report</a> showed 62% of adults receive news via social media – a 49% increase from 2012. <br> 70% of people in western countries use social networks like Facebook or Twitter. Only 30% do not rely on social media in the U.S. and that percentage continues declining.<br> Although access to information does not guarantee accurate information, it is undeniable that schools will not reach communities if they fail to engage them through the use of technology. Simon Mainwaring once said, “Social media is not about the exploitation of technology but service to the community.”<br> Recently, I hosted a final webinar episode from my book <a href="https://www.solutiontree.com/products/messaging-matters.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Messaging Matters: How School Leaders Can Inspire Teachers, Motivate Students, and Reach Communities.</a> You can check out the <a href="https://vimeo.com/263009239" rel="noopener" target="_blank">video</a> and <a href="https://www.ccosa.org/index.php?second-semester-education-leaders-book-study" rel="noopener" target="_blank">slides</a> here. The discussion includes three parts:<br> Part 1: Building a platform with technology<br><br> Part 2: Launching a school email campaign<br><br> Part 3: Publicizing celebrations<br> Part 1: Building a Platform with Technology<br> Consider these six ways educators can create platforms for sharing ideas with school communities:<br> <br> * Writing blog posts<br> * Creating podcasts<br> * Hosting webinars<br> * Using LinkedIn<br> * Using Facebook<br> * Using Twitter<br> <br> Writing Blog Posts<br> Think about ways to share topics within and outside your community. Blogs can be informal, conversational ways to share lessons. Here are some sample topics to think about:<br> • How to prepare for the first days of school<br><br> • Books or articles of best practices in the classroom<br><br> • How new legislation may affect school practice<br><br> • What new school services or programs are coming<br><br> • Ways to stay inspired certain times of the year<br> Want to learn how to blog? Check out Michael Hyatt’s free tutorial <a href="https://michaelhyatt.com/ez-wordpress-setup/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">How to Launch a Self-hosted WordPress blog in 20 minutes or less</a>.<br> Creating a Podcast<br> Listen to podcasts for learning and think about creating your own. Here are some of my favorites:<br> <br> * 10-Minute Teacher by Vicki Davis <a href="http://www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.coolcatteacher.com/podcast</a><br> * Transformative Principal with Jethro Jones <a href="http://www.transformativeprincipal.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.tranformativeprincipal.org</a><br> * Principal Center Radio with Justin Baeder <a href="https://www.principalcenter.com/radio/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.principalcenter.com/radio</a><br> * Better Leaders Better Schools with Daniel Bauer <a href="https://betterleadersbetterschools.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://betterleadersbetterschools.com</a><br> <br> Thinking about starting your own? Check out <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xu2QNUY5iyk" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Pat Flynn’s “How to Start a Podcast: Pats Complete Step-by-Step Podcasting Tutorial” (6-part series for free on Youtube).</a><br> Hosting a Webinar<br> Platforms like Zoom.us or GoToMeeting.com are great for hosing webinars. Other ways some people connect via live video shares include Google Hangouts, FaceTime, Skype, Facebook Live, or Instragram Live. Think about ways to share ideas through these live conversations on topics like the following:<br> • How you have structured or organized a new initiative or program<br><br>
