Social Media Platforms

There are numerous Social Media Platforms available that serve different purposes and are more attuned to different audiences.

Creating unique hashtags or using ones from a greater movement, are a great way to build momentum for a specific event, idea or as a way to incorporate advocacy into your program. For example, images from your Lights on Afterschool event can be posted to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and/or Twitter with the use of #LightsOnAfterschool,  adding your voice to the greater trend.

Be aware of your organization's policies on the use of social media. Pay particular attention to ensure that youth have written photo/media releases that give permission for you to use pictures of them in promotions and be aware of any youth who are not permitted. Additionally, most social media accounts require a minimum user age, often 13 years or older.

Facebook

One of the original social media platform used widely by both youth and parents. Most programs would consider this the go-to platform that they would use before any other, as it is so widely used. Facebook offers special pages for organizations in which events, pictures and videos, donations and more can be posted.

Instagram

Allows users to post pictures and images. This is a great way to quickly share images of what is happening in your program on a day to day basis. Instagram is integrated with Facebook, Twitter, and Tumblr.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Users can create different boards and “pin” images that also serve as bookmarks. It is a great tool for providers in planning, as they can pin ideas for activities. In terms of advocacy and outreach, there are many out-of-school time and education infographics available.

Snapchat

Allows users to share photos and videos with many fun add-on features like photo captions, stickers and filters. Images disappear after a few seconds, unless the user takes a screen shot. Users can build a “story” where they have a collection of images that play in a row for a day. Snapchat normally allows users to send pictures to individuals, where they can open a chat dialogue. For organizations, this feature can be turned off if you would like to use it just to share images one-way. Snapchat is currently one of the top-preferred platform with youth. 

Twitter

Share fun updates of program activities. Quickly inform followers of time-sensitive information, such as inclement weather updates. Use Twitter to generate momentum behind advocacy movements such as Lights on Afterschool.

Afterschool Tech Toolkit

From the National Afterschool Association, with support from Google, The Afterschool Tech Toolkit aims to empower afterschool professionals and educators with strategies and training so they can provide students with powerful access to technology outside of classroom hours. The available toolkit modules can help you reflect, plan and prepare to embed technology into your current programming so you can support all the students you serve. Professional Development trainings are also offered.

More Technology-Based Communications

Parent and Youth Communication

Bloomz: A multi-functional communication app designed for educators that allows OST site directors or instructors to directly text-message parents and send e-mails of pictures and videos. Users can create program calendars, set up meetings, and request volunteer support.  Additionally, Bloomz has behavior management that can be shared with parents.

Class Dojo: A classroom management app that has a photo and video feed, similar to Instagram, a messenger system that translates into several languages and students can upload portfolios.

Mail Chimp: Mailchimp is a marketing tool that can be used by educators to send mass e-mails and beautifully crafted newsletters. Users with 2,000 or fewer subscribers can send up to 12,000 emails per month for free.

Remind: A text-messenger designed for educators to send messages, such as reminders, to whole groups or to individuals and can include images and files. Users can communicate without sharing phone numbers and messages can be translated into over 70 languages

Seesaw: student portfolio and parent communication app. Seesaw also has an activity library.

Website Builders

Edublogs: A WordPress powered tool, primarily used for classroom blogs, designed specifically with themes, and plugins that are just for education. Additionally, there is a community of educators that offer articles on how Edublogs has been successfully utilized.

Weeby: A beginner-friendly website builder that uses a drag and drop design. Weebly offers Weebly for Education, a free tool specifically designed for teachers to create classroom sites, as well as allowing for students to make sites and submit projects.

WordPress: A free, widely employed website builder that can be utilized by both novice users and technology professionals. Websites can be hosted by wordpress.com or you can self-host on wordpress.org. Use a variety of templates and plugins to customize your website. www.wordpress.com https://wordpress.org