400 Moms Say Classrooms Need to “Catch Up” with Technology; Shutterfly Offers Free, Secure Classroom Websites to Increase Classroom Engagement and Communication

WASHINGTON–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Shutterfly, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFLY), a leading Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service, and Bonnier Corp.’s Parenting Group, publisher of Parenting, Babytalk, Working Mother and Parenting.com, today announce results from their co-sponsored “Technology in the Classroom” survey. Of the 400 mothers surveyed, two-thirds (67 percent) believe that technology is “critical” for their children, and 81 percent feel that technological fluency of teachers should be mandatory. In response to the need for more technology resources, Shutterfly offers free, secure classroom websites to improve classroom communication and collaboration.

“Parents recognize that their kids must be proficient in many aspects of technology in order to be competitive on a global level,” said Rachel Fishman Feddersen, the Parenting Group’s editorial director, digital content, strategy and design. “Educators must be ambassadors of tech-savvy learning, from the tools they use to teach kids in the classroom, to the ways that they communicate with parents.”

According to survey data collected by www.momconnection.com March 25-31, 2011, moms also prefer that technology extend to parent/teacher communication, with more than half (51 percent) of mothers surveyed citing tech tools, like email or classroom websites, as the preferred and more reliable method of communication over “offline” methods like in-person meetings, paper notices or phone calls (33 percent). Similarly, parents surveyed prefer to communicate with each other about the classroom using technology as well, with 72 percent of moms citing email, class websites, social media or school websites as the preferred method over meetings or phone calls.

“Gone are paper sign-up sheets, tracking down volunteers, incomplete contact lists and one-off emails,” said Karl Wiley, vice president and general manager, services of Shutterfly. “Parents and teachers want a fast and secure way to communicate with each other, coordinate classroom resources and document and share student activities, and Shutterfly Classroom Share sites offer just that.”

The “Technology in the Classroom” survey reports that 68 percent of moms surveyed are “regularly” involved in the classroom, either as the Pilot (18 percent) or Co-Pilot (50 percent). Classroom Share sites allow room parents a central place for discussions and scheduling, taking the frustration and hassle out of contending with multiple emails to coordinate a simple task. Share sites also provide a forum for parents to connect with one another, furthering that sense of community in the classroom.

For teachers, Share sites are a budget-conscious, paperless, single stop for routine communication, so that one-on-one time at conferences is more meaningful. Instead of sending 20 emails with the same information, teachers can post once to the classroom Share site forum. Instead of crossing fingers that printed photos make it home in backpacks, teachers can upload images from the day’s lesson to the site.

More than half of moms surveyed (53 percent) reported that the primary way they share photos of their families outside the classroom is via Facebook or other social media. “It’s easy to share photos online, but families need to keep their children’s digital footprint in mind,” said Fishman Feddersen. “Posting with discretion and keeping privacy practices in mind before uploading helps teach kids how to be more responsible online.”

“With Shutterfly’s easy-to-use permission settings, you always know who can see your photos,” said Wiley. “This gives parents added peace of mind, and allows Classroom Share sites to become a place where class photos and videos can motivate children and help cement concepts and ideas learned in class.”

About Shutterfly Classroom Share sites

• Safe and Secure — Classroom Share sites are password-protected, so only parents and teacher “members” can access the information.
• Coordinate Class Activities — Volunteer section makes it easy to match up parents with the needs of the classroom, enabling on-line sign-up for items such as teacher’s wish lists, potlucks, field trip chaperons and conference timeslots; a calendar tool keeps everyone in the loop by sending electronic reminders about important upcoming class events.
• Share Photos & Classroom News — Shutterfly classroom websites also make it easy for teachers to post, share and save photos and videos from school year activities, as well as post class news, links to useful school or educational websites, and even documents, such as homework and class handouts.

Five Easy Steps to Creating a Free, Password-Protected Classroom Share site

1. Go to www.shutterfly.com/sharesite

2. Select “Get Started,” choose classroom category, and then select a background style

3. Name your site and set your choice of permission levels

4. Add photos, videos, news, calendar and more to your Share site

5. Invite teachers and parents to become site members

For more information on Shutterfly’s Classroom Share sites, visit www.shutterfly.com/sharesite.

About Shutterfly

Founded in 1999, Shutterfly, Inc. is an Internet-based social expression and personal publishing service. Shutterfly provides high quality products and world class services that make it easy, convenient and fun for consumers to preserve their digital photos in a creative and thoughtful manner. Shutterfly’s flagship product is its award-winning photo book line, which helps consumers celebrate memories and tell their stories in professionally bound coffee table books. Shutterfly was recently named one of the top 25 Best Midsized Companies to Work For by the Great Place to Work Institute. More information about Shutterfly (NASDAQ:SFLY) is available at www.shutterfly.com. Shutterfly and Shutterfly.com are trademarks of Shutterfly, Inc.

About The Parenting Group

The Parenting Group, home of the Parenting, Babytalk and Conceive brands, reaches moms over 15 million times every month through magazines, digital media, custom content, and events. TPG’s publications include: Parenting School Years, for moms with children in kindergarten through elementary school; Parenting Early Years, for moms of infants, toddlers and preschoolers; and Babytalk, for new moms and moms-to-be. TPG’s other media properties include: Conceive, for women trying to get pregnant, the Babytalk Pregnancy Planner; the Parenting.com and ConceiveOnline.com web sites; MomConnection®, a nationally-representative online research network; and a custom content unit. The Parenting Group is a division of Bonnier Corporation.

MomConnection® is a branded, nationally representative, interactive network from Parenting and Babytalk magazines that lets moms and moms-to-be connect and share advice and stories through forum discussions and live chats. MomConnection® members share their ideas and information and even influence product design and development through their answers to surveys accessed through the site. All 5,000+ MomConnection® members are representative of the entire online mom market, both geographically and demographically. Over 300 panel surveys and polls have been fielded since its launch in 2003.

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Media Relations:
Shutterfly, Inc.
Gretchen Sloan, 650-610-5276
glsoan@shutterfly.com

Source: Shutterfly, Inc.

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