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Communicating with Parents By: Levko, Xing, Grace - Coggle Diagram
Communicating with Parents
By: Levko, Xing, Grace
Hybrid Communication
By: Grace Metz
At my school, we like to use Google Meet, Zoom, Email, Phone Call
Google Meet or Zoom
, We like to schedule ahead of time with the parents. Usually, they will email us and ask for this option. Once we set up a date and time we ensure it is in our calendar.
Why Google Meet or Zoom?
Citation:
Bowen, H. (2020, August 28). Using zoom for school: What are the pros & cons? Zoom App Download. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from
https://videoconfguide.com/zoom-for-school/
Citation:
Grant, A. (2022). 6 reasons why video calling is better than texting. Banty. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from
https://www.banty.org/blog/6-reasons-video-calling-better-than-texting
Zoom has
things such as screen share, recording, whiteboard, free accounts for schools, and high security (Bowen, 2020).
Video Calls are great as you can see people's reactions.
You can hear tones of voice.
Emails cannot express this so they can also be misinterpreted and taken negatively. Hence why with some parents it is better to do it face to face
Sometimes, in certain scenarios, a video call can give you an idea of what may be going on at home.
What is the environment like?
It can be eye-opening to a child's behavior and more.
This can help us understand the students and what the parents may be going through as well.
Communication gets across the board better.
1 more item...
Parents can easily plan video calls
with teachers for after-school hours. It works well for both the teacher and the parents.
Phone Calls:
All teachers have access to parents phone numbers. But we still need to ask the school if we can call or not. Only the school nurse is allowed to call.
Citation:
Lashbrook, A. (2020, November 19). Why a classic phone call is better than video calls or texting. Medium. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from
https://debugger.medium.com/why-a-classic-phone-call-is-better-than-video-calls-or-texting-81a52f740982
Phone calls can be better
because voice can invoke emotions. Sometimes people put a steel face on when doing video calls. Voice lets true emotion seep through (Lashbrook, 2020).
There is research that
supports
that one can read emotions through phone calls just as well as video calls (Lashbrook, 2020).
It is said that there is research that shows people actually
can detect emotions
better when just listening rather than seeing (Lashbrook, 2020). I think this may depend on the person. For me, I read body motions better than tones. I struggle to talk to people over the phone, hence why I like in-person speaking or zoom calls better.
The issue
I face with phone calls is the fact that parents rush it. You need to ensure the parents have time. Make sure that they have no prior commitments before planning the call.
Phones Calls
Emails: School emails
are used frequently at our school
Emails or Jupiter
My school uses something called
Jupiter
which is an online platform that can message students, parents, guardians, or teachers. It also keeps track of grades, behavior issues, lesson plans, and so much more.
How to do Log Discipline in Jupiter
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCqiWz2Z-50
Their youtube has a lot of great resources.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKbiO49emOZpiyc56ZO6qew/videos
Citation:
NIBusinessInfo.UK. (2022). Benefits of email and the internet. Advantages and disadvantages of using email for business. Retrieved March 14, 2022, from
https://www.nibusinessinfo.co.uk/content/advantages-and-disadvantages-using-email-business#:~:text=Email%20is%20an%20important%20method,all%20kinds%20of%20electronic%20data
.
Why are Emails Popular Compared to the rest?
People say it because
its cheap, fast, convenient, and permanent
(NIBusinessInfo.UK, 2022)
To add to that I like it because I can
easily forward information
. I can send BCC or CC people in emails. Usually, it is not easy to access parents' emails, while some other accounts can be easily accessed.
Emails also
do not have to be answered right away
like phone calls or video calls. Parents can take their time, especially with a busy schedule.
How to Write a Letter to Parents
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thrzLEpcndc
Email can be easy to let people know in detail what is going on in the classroom. You can go into detail or it can be short. It really depends on the teacher and how the parent reacts to emails.
In-Person Communication
Alternative Methods of Communicating Online
Wakelet, Canvas Citation:
Screencastify Squad. (September 30, 2021). 7 Ways Teachers can Communicate With Parents Using Tech in 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021 from
https://www.screencastify.com/blog/ways-teachers-can-communicate-with-parents-using-technology
Wakelet
Organizer that saves and presents multimedia in class.
Includes newsletter, lesson plan, and assignment creation tools.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyW4U9MyQ_A
Canvas
Creation, presentation, and digital management.
Teacher to parent or student communicator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbzzx2g1laQ
Showcases detailed child progress.
Good for virtual and hybrid classrooms.
Newsletters, Videos, Social Media Citation:
O’Scanaill, Maggie. (October 22, 2020). The Secret to Remote Learning Communication With Parents. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://www.dyknow.com/blog/the-secret-to-remote-learning-communication-with-parents/
Newsletters
Newsletters for a specific time period, detailing tasks, learning objectives, video meetings, contact information, etc.
Links can be attached to other necessary sources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48c44TOwBjo
Videos
Far more engaging, contacts with the benefit of non-verbal communication, and a more personal message.
Screencastify is specifically designed for teachers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-j6zV9Aod0
Social Media
Important dates, resources, and informational updates can be instantly accessed via one's cellular phone.
These include Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook.
Familiarity and common use of such platforms facilities ease of communication.
Google Voice, Class Dojo, Remind, Google Classroom & Seesaw Citations:
Major, Emily. (January 29, 2019). Seesaw VS. Google Classroom: What’s the Best Management App for Your Classroom? Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/seesaw-vs-google-classroom-whats-the-best-management-app-for-your-classroom
Rodgers, Devery. (September 11, 2020). Using Technology to Connect With Parents: Schools Around the Country Have Implemented New Strategies for Communicating With Families During Distance Learning. Retrieved March 15, 2022 from
https://www.edutopia.org/article/using-technology-connect-parents
Google Voice
Allows user to attach an alternate phone number to their cell phone.
Separates calls from those of a more personal nature.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2OQFNULe4M
Class Dojo
Classroom management app.
Informs parents of student achievements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uC9GsSGEXm0
Remind
Teachers can send reminders and other text messages to parent's phones or all students phones.
Includes automatic translator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW7DFURLOf4
Google Classroom & Seesaw
Both are compatible with combined usage.
Google Classroom
Parental communication.
Management of classes, assignments, and grades.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iJf6GbfGoc
Seesaw
Feedback between teachers, students, and parents.
Digital portfolio.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1CFMYL-VT4
Prrovides organization and visual classroom achievement management and communication.