School Community Relations Web Conference Reflection

Over the last five weeks, I have learned a great deal of parent partnership and how it is beneficial to student's achievement. Throughout the course, Dr. Abernathy and Dr. Jenkins offered web conferences to discuss upcoming assignments and what to expect with upcoming courses and finishing up the programs. I went back to watch many of the recorded conferences and they offered great information and helped put me at ease when I was feeling overwhelmed. The web conference that I found most helpful was the end of week 2. During that conference, field supervisors were explained more clearly and what to expect toward the end of the program. The reflection logs were also explained a little more, which I am struggling with due to duties at work and other obligations. I am working hard to finish them and be caught up by the last class, but it is a bit frustrating. I wish there was more follow through on the reflections and logs, such as this class had at the end of the course. I appreciate the web conferences, however I was unsure about the field supervisors until recently, which I have only attended one. I did not know who my field supervisor was and did not know I was receiving emails. Field supervisors need to send an introductory email, I also have had trouble attending the meetings. I have two more to attend and hope I can get them in before December.

Action Research Project Progress and Summary

My action research project has been very stressful because I am finding that there is not a lot of follow-through within my school. There are great ideas expressed and tossed around in meetings, but other items get pushed to the front. In the beginning I discussed with my mentor on helping make the website more user friendly for parents, the community, faculty and students, however the principal decided to contract a parent to oversee the website and make sure organization sponsors understand how to use each tool and how to update his or her group/sport page. I have tried my best to keep up with information and asking for new changes, however it has not been the easiest task. I have spoken with my technology mentor numerous times and explained what my action research requirements are, but it seems there are colleagues handling more than one job description. At this point I am struggling to find a way to complete this project. I have a meeting with my mentor once again to get more information on how the website has changed.

I have talked with many different organization sponsors and coaches on how they are responding to the new website and how often they are updating information on their specific page. I am finding there is a good number of colleagues utilizing the website and allowing students to help as an administrator to the page. Parents of the different organizations are able to subscribe to the page and as the sponsor updates the page an email is sent to the parent alerting them of the update or change.  Sponsors have expressed difficulty with learning all the different tools to update a file or article or how to get subscribers. The contract parent has gone around to most sponsors explaining the different tools of the website.   

I am looking forward to rounding out the project and learning what changes need to be made for the new framework and site for the website. Will all information transfer over correctly? Will sponsors need to relearn tools to update pages?