Get parents excited about the technology you want by helping them experience it! Let them know how it helps teachers in the classroom and improves learning outcomes for our children (while saving time and money, even better). If you can do that… parents will work (hard) to find ways to fund it!
Easy Actions to Engage Parents in Supporting and Funding Education Technology
- Host a ‘Learning Tools Open House’. Have demonstrations showcasing current technology teachers use and also the “wish list” technology you hope to purchase with parent fundraising.
- Use (yes, actually use) the technology during PTA meetings and setup demonstration sessions at every school event (carnival, book fair, field-day, Auction, etc.).
- Take advantage of having parents at school during parent-teacher conference days and host a principal’s coffee with technology “petting zoo” while parents wait for their turn with the teacher.
- Teachers, send home samples of work made possible through technology purchases and add a note – “Thanks for funding our new XYZ from the fall carnival proceeds. Check out the cool work Jr. did today!” Have samples and signs ready at Open House, too!
- Show pictures (and video clips) in the school newsletter & website highlighting how new technology works, how our kids use it and why it’s a helpful learning tool. Remember, the technology is new for us parents too and we need guidance.
- Include your local corporate partners too! Show them how the technology they help fund is put to good use in your classrooms by sharing video, photos, and testimonials from teachers and students.
Article courtesy of VolunteerSpot.com –free and easy online signup sheets and scheduling tools for parent volunteers.
