Iowa City schools, parents embrace blogs, social media

Teacher Ali Borger-Germann didn't plan to be a trendsetter.

She designed blogs for her language-arts classes with one goal - improved communication. The blogs would be a one-stop site where students and parents could review assignments, download missed work and access resources.

They worked so well that blogs have mushroomed among her fellow Iowa City High teachers.

When blogs first garnered attention, most were online journals by individuals. Today, many blogs have evolved into valuable two-way communication tools, touted for their immediacy and convenience, and Iowa City school district educators and parents are embracing them.

“I just kind of practiced last year,” said Borger-Germann, but response was so positive, especially from parents, that she continued. She shared her experience with faculty, leading to more blogs.

So far, Cedar Rapids schools have not embraced social media to the same extent.

Not every teacher at City High has a blog, but those who do include course descriptions, daily postings of class discussions, homework assignments and links to class handouts. Students can access class information through a computer.

“It's really convenient,” said Zoe Grueskin, 17, a City High senior. “It takes away stress. It also makes your teacher more accessible.”

That's the point.

“A blog cuts out the layers,” said Mark Stock, a former superintendent and author of “The School Administrator's Guide to Blogging: A New Way to Connect with the Community.” “Superintendents who blog are able to promote their message in a manner that isn't possible through traditional media. It is an effective way to communicate without the filters.”

Blogs also are a way for school leaders to connect with taxpayers without children in the school system and to respond to what's being said in the community.

Parents find it handy, too.

“It gives you the information your kids aren't sharing,” said Jim Carroll of North Liberty.

Carroll's son, Cameron, is a fifth grader at Penn Elementary School. His son's teacher, Lisa Roberts, blogs instead of printing a classroom newsletter. Penn's principal, Julie Robinson, uses a blog and the social-media tool Twitter to communicate with families as well.

“It's very easy to check the blog when you have free time during the day, as opposed to reading a note at night when there's no free time,” Carroll said.

At Lemme Elementary School in Iowa City, a YouTube video channel was added to Principal John Bacon's blog this year. The segments feature mini movies designed to assist Lemme families.

“Our whole goal is the have the best communication with parents that we can,” Bacon said. “The more avenues we have to do that, the better.”

The downside is accessibility. Families without home computers don't benefit from schools' embrace of social media. Educators stress, however, that those without Internet access can still receive printed information.

Jonathan Rogers, City High's journalism teacher, said some teachers worry about negative comments on blogs or the additional work. Bloggers can moderate and control comments, however, and Rogers said blogging actually has made things easier.

“It's easy to quickly locate what students need and print it,” he said.

Explore blogs and social media being utilized by local educators:Teacher Ali Borger-Germann's class blogsEnglish 10

Lemme Elementary School

Principal John Bacon's blog

Lemme YouTube video

Penn Elementary School

Principal Julie Robinson's twitter

Teacher Lisa Roberts' classroom blog

Iowa City High School

Teacher Ali Borger-Germann's class blogs

English 9