Most of us spend considerable time preparing to make sure we start off the new school year on a good note. We immerse ourselves in designing bulletin boards, handouts, letters to parents, icebreakers and opening-day lessons. It’s just as important to consider which technology-based procedures to have in place and what technology-based projects you’d like to pursue. Here are some ideas to get things off on the right foot.

Determine how much digital communication you will establish with families and students. What’s practical and possible for you? Will you create a class website? Give out your school email address? Send out digital newsletters? Do you have a convenient way to obtain parent emails? Remember to check with your administration about the Department of Education Internet and social media policies before you forge ahead. Consider the time involved before you commit yourself, but remember that digital communication can often be time-saving as well.

Plan technology projects along with your curriculum. What units of study will you teach? How could technology enhance or extend student learning? What forms of technology would be well-suited for these projects? Are there projects you regularly assign that could become technology-based? Think ahead and consider what tools you would need to complete these projects. What would you need to request? How might you use your school’s existing technology equipment?

If your school doesn’t have the materials you need, and the budget is tight, you may want to seek outside funding for technology equipment. But don’t wait until a project is close at hand — apply well ahead of time for grants and financial help. Many teachers already know about Donors Choose, but be sure to get your application submitted early. The Donors Choose teachers page can be found at www.donorschoose.org/teachers. The educational technology magazine, Tech & Learning, publishes a grants calendar every school year at http://bit.ly/XxU3xy. The union also lists resources for funding classroom projects, including its own Grants, Awards and Freebies column [see page 16], on its website at www.uft.org/teaching/funding-classroom-projects.

Obtain parental consent forms before publishing work online. If you intend to share student work on a school website, you need guardian-signed DOE permission forms from students to do so. Send these out to parents early so you have time to get them returned (and follow up with stragglers).

Even if you have consent forms, never publish work that contains personal information about any student. As a rule of thumb, I list only students’ first names online. Ask your principal for the most current version of the WWW Parental Consent Form.

Look for support and guidance. Are you considering a technology project but are unsure of the best way to proceed? The sooner you ask for help, the more time you have to hone your own skills and gain confidence.

Look for someone in your school who may be able to help you — a colleague or supervisor, a coach or a support staff member, maybe even a student. If you don’t have someone to give advice face-to-face, pursue online support through message boards, online articles, how-to videos or personal learning networks.

Teachers are mostly willing to help other teachers (but remember how busy we all are before you unleash a torrent of questions).