Page 36 - Mini-Module 4

Strategic adoption of
Media-space Communications

Unfortunately media-space technology can be adopted by school’s
without coherent preparation – that is, it can be almost thrust upon
schools by external factors and through an ad-hoc and headlong rush
into new technologies.
With regards to the example 1, “SMS messaging” above, the school has
to carefully evaluate if parents will respond positively to receiving SMS
messages on their mobile phones (cell phones) about their children’s
absences, or if they will find such communications intrusive and
inappropriate.
In Case Study 4 (page 20), “Ratemyteacher.com”, for instance, the
school has been forced into rapidly developing and implementing a
policy on the use of websites as a communication device between
students.
In deciding upon media-space communications, school leadership
needs to consider such factors as:

1. Appropriate technology – while the school may be able to afford
and have the skills to adopt particular ICT methods, are the
parents and families of their community similarly skilled? For
example, if the school switches to email based communications,
do all parents of students have daily access to this form of
communication?

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