TL;DR. This acronym is a huge part of our culture, especially as educators. Are you familiar with it? It stands for Too Long; Didn’t Read. We are bombarded with so much information that, when it’s long, we often don’t read it. Our email inboxes are the biggest example of this.
And this presents a problem for educators hoping to communicate new tech ideas and tips with a staff of teachers. Sending emails to some of the busiest people on the planet in the age of over-information? You’re definitely not getting 100% readership. So what do we do?
In episode 32 of the Educational Duct Tape Podcast, Sethi De Clercq of eduflip.net and I discussed our recommendations. Then, on 12/4/19, members of the #EduDuctTape Twitter community got together to chat about it. Here are some takeaways:
Do more than 1 thing to maximize your audience reach!
A3. I really liked the direction that the discussion with @sdcthailand went: use multiple modes of communication (especially tech-free ones), observe reaction & impact, and focus on always bringing value. #EduDuctTape
— Jake Miller (@JakeMillerTech) December 5, 2019
Go Analog!
I know that I had a really big “aha moment” when Sethi pointed out how silly it is that we try to communicate tech tips with people who may not be excited about tech using tech. Why not use paper?
Use a “tear off” poster!
A3: The latest I tried was to have little tricks/tips printed on a Tear-off style poster. This worked great. Parents/teachers tore off the tips, I could keep track of how it was received. #EduDuctTape
— Sethi De Clercq (@sdcthailand) December 5, 2019
Hang information where you have a captive audience
A3: Hanging information where teachers see things is a good way. Hello, back of the staff bathroom door. You’re just sitting there (on your phone), why not read about the magic of keyboard shortcuts 🤩 #EduDuctTape
— Allison Curry (@AllisonETEC) December 5, 2019
A3: My tech director and I have created a monthly infographic called Tech Tapas in which we share "quick bytes" of tech information with staff. We post these above copiers, microwaves, and other places we know staff visit for a few minutes from time-to-time. #EduDuctTape pic.twitter.com/LUNqUGkY6h
— Dan Stitzel (@mr_stitzel) December 5, 2019
A3- Time. Every teacher's arch nemesis. Loved that @JakeMillerTech and @sdcthailand discussed using #PottyPD to reach teachers with little to no planning time. It's a short glimpse into a tech tool and it opens the door for a conversation. #EduDuctTape pic.twitter.com/74R9jIPsGK
— Matt Meyer (@54Mr_Meyer) December 5, 2019
Organize all tips & resources in one location.
Both OneNote & Wakelet were shared as options, but there are plenty of possibilities out there!
A3: I maintain a OneNote notebook of resources that staff can reference as needed. Every month a tech tips info graphic is emailed out to all staff. I also post #pottyPD fliers in our staff facilities #EduDuctTape
— Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) December 5, 2019
A3 I use @wakelet #WakeletWave to share resources Ed Tech Resources – https://t.co/eJxsGG3mud #EduDuctTape
— Jay Strumwasser (@edtechjay) December 5, 2019
“Drop in” regularly!
By “drop in” I mean, stop by their room. It’s not another pun for Potty PD. Anyhow, check out the replies to this one to see how Patrick used data to inform this practice! I also love his “ground rules” for these drop ins!
A3: My teachers' favorites are my #TechOnTheToilet / LearningintheLoo (part2) and when I just spend the day working in their room and watch and give them ideas or talk with them or pop in ideas to the class as I see them. Also helps I'm willing to make time for them #EduDuctTape
— Patrick Shipway (@Auen_Ed_Tech) December 5, 2019
1. It's my 5th year at the school. 2. I told them to expect me in their classes once a month. First time was awkward for a few of them but after our first discussion that went away. Survey said it was 4.69/5 on the "helpful scale" after the first session. 1/2
— Patrick Shipway (@Auen_Ed_Tech) December 5, 2019
3. I let them no I was there to talk and see if tech could make their great teaching better, if not then there wouldn't be much to say (no reason 4 Duct Tape if its working, right?)
4. I told them I wouldn't talk to admin unless it was something amazing they were doing.— Patrick Shipway (@Auen_Ed_Tech) December 5, 2019
Advertise on your door!
A3: I am starting to use my door as a place to "advertise". I loved @AplinTeacher 's post about #askmebadges. Everyone walks past my door every day. #EduDuctTape
— amos huckaby (@amyjhuckaby) December 5, 2019
Be “on call” via Google Hangouts or Skype!
A3: Train your Ts to contact you using G Hangouts and be available to them ANYTIME ANYWHERE! If they can share THEIR screen on-the-fly, you can diagnose problems as they "happen in the field". Sharing YOUR screen allows you to quickly get Ts through problems. #EduDuctTape pic.twitter.com/Q2bI9tgRYW
— ✨Angela Greene✨ (@AngelaGreene12) December 5, 2019
Send out videos!
They can be watched whenever!
A3. My team and I put together a short video of tech tips each week that is shared out to the schools… I try to share @wakelet collections, and I make sure I share things that can be used or implemented right away! #EduDuctTape https://t.co/E9qilA1hhw
— Christine McKee (@CMcKee27) December 5, 2019
Regularly offer in-person PD
A3. In our district we began monthly professional development opportunities. We offer them before and after school in each area of our district. We are offering a variety of topics each month to meet teacher needs. We also have made these PDOs available online. #EduDuctTape
— Melissa Van Heck (@MrsVanHeckITIS) December 5, 2019
Present regularly at faculty meetings
A3. At our weekly staff meet I present two tips – show examples, etc. and then I add these to an ongoing #googleslides deck on a shared drive. Teachers are reminded where the bank of tips are – and I get to share resources with my team! #EduDuctTape pic.twitter.com/6XMV5ZuyVQ
— Sue Mylde (@missusem) December 5, 2019
Use Social Media
A3: oh I forgot! I also maintain social media accounts on Twitter @Thompsonclass , Instagram and Facebook where we share different tech related info each day. #eduducttape
— Kirsten Thompson (@MissLwbt) December 5, 2019
Send those emails
It might not reach everyone, but at least it reaches a portion of your audience!
A3: Good question. I’m currently trialling a weekly #edu tip via email. I’ve done it using #googleslides so that teachers can reference the tips as and when. Tricky if they don’t read the email though…#EduDuctTape
— Stephanie Chambers (@stephvchambers) December 5, 2019
