Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Communication Tools, In Person, Online, Minero, E. (2017, November 22).…
Communication Tools
Hybrid
Spotlight
Parents receive a text of a personalized video of their child's performance. Similarly to a visualized report cars. Spotlight allows discussion for areas of weakness and provides resources for improvement.
Remind
Remind is a tool that provides teachers with an opportunity to give weekly updates about what is being learnt in class.
It also provides the option for one on one communication between parents and educators
Email
Email is a tool that can be used in a variety of different ways. Weekly newsletters can be sent out via email to keep parents abreast of the latest class happenings.
Santos, L., & Gutz, J. (n.d.). Tips for communicating with parents during distance learning. Core Inspiration. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.thecoreinspiration.com/distancelearningcommunication/
ManageBac
Provides access for parents to view progress of their child's core worksheets based on their academic program, portfolio coursework, behavior notes, reflections and communicate with classroom teachers.
Classting
An online app which aims at getting students, parents, and teachers all on one page, by a shared classroom wall where written posts, docs, pdf, videos, and pictures can be shared
In Person
SeeSaw / Brightwheel
Classroom application that act as a effective communication tool allowing teachers to make learning visible, showing the students daily photo to the parents and also allow two way communication between teachers and parents.
Communication Journals and Portfolios
Communication journals are a way for parents and teachers to interact on a day to day basis. They provide both teachers and parents a way to provide important information or feedback on a daily basis. Portfolios are a collection of work from the child that allows parents to see the progress a child has made over a longer period of time.
Promoting Family Engagement: Communicating with Families. Virtual Lab School. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.virtuallabschool.org/preschool/family-engagement/lesson-3
Family Meetings / Parent Teacher Conferences
Some families might prefer face to face communication. During in person communication it is important to remember the values different cultures have for topics such as hand eye coordination or touching.
Promoting Family Engagement: Communicating with Families. Virtual Lab School. (n.d.). Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.virtuallabschool.org/preschool/family-engagement/lesson-3
Weekly / BiWeekly Newsletters
Old fashioned paper printed newsletters are a way to communicate with parents, however with the way things have changed, you can still send home paper versions and digital versions on a school platform too. This allows for hybrid learners or online learners families to be included and kept in the loop of all things happening in the classroom.
Class Dojo
An online behaviour management tool that fosters positive student behaviour during learning. Students earn points based on certain positive behaviours. Also used as a parent communication tool.
Family Open House / Parent Information Evenings (PIE)
At the beginning of the school year or each semester have a Grade / Class level open house. The teacher the shows parents all about the classroom and how and what their child will learn. It is an effective way to verbally communicate expectations and build relationships with parents, which makes communication easier throughout the school year. Also having a parent information event to train parents on how to use the school's preferred communication tools, to ensure effective use of the platforms.
Newman, P. (2021).
Creative Ways for Teachers to Communicate with Parents
. Kickboard Blog. Retrieved March 16, 2022 from
https://www.kickboardforschools.com/family-engagement-communication/creative-ways-for-teachers-to-communicate-with-parents/
Classroom Blog / Social Media Page
Dependent on school policy / laws from the state (FERPA) regarding sharing of images of children on social media, teachers can have a classroom blog / social media page to share fun and exciting moments with family members.
Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Creating parent teacher collaboration groups keeps families engaged within the school community and ECE environment
Newman, P. (2021).
Creative Ways for Teachers to Communicate with Parents
. Kickboard Blog. Retrieved March 16, 2022 from
https://www.kickboardforschools.com/family-engagement-communication/creative-ways-for-teachers-to-communicate-with-parents/
Online
Google Classroom
Access to the Google ecosystem can make things simpler on parents if they have children in multiple grade levels but are all using the same system. Using Google classroom you can schedule assignments, use google hangout to provide one on one instruction and also overviews for parents, and provide videos of instructional material in an easy interface.
Santos, L., & Gutz, J. (n.d.). Tips for communicating with parents during distance learning. Core Inspiration. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.thecoreinspiration.com/distancelearningcommunication/
WeChat Work (WeCom) / Whatsapp Family Groups
During online teaching, have a class / subject family group to communicate immediately with families about online lessons, share resources and media. Also very useful for quick messages during Hybrid or in person learning.
Kickboard Portal
Another online messaging portal that sends parents reports about their child in real time.
Newman, P. (2021).
Creative Ways for Teachers to Communicate with Parents
. Kickboard Blog. Retrieved March 16, 2022 from
https://www.kickboardforschools.com/family-engagement-communication/creative-ways-for-teachers-to-communicate-with-parents/
Phone Calls
Quick and effective to check in with parents / students regarding their online learning experience. Also useful in the hybrid and in person environment to communicate messages of praise or behaviour in a timely manner.
Alber, R. (2017).
A phone call makes a difference.
Edutopia. Retrieved March 16, 2022 from
https://www.edutopia.org/article/phone-call-home-makes-all-difference
Microsoft Teams
Similar to that of Google Classroom, Microsoft teams also promotes collaborative learning, whereby teachers, students and parents can communicate with each other, have live face to face video calls, assign and submit class work or homework and share documents or resources
Parent Square
One unified platform which can be used by the whole school to effectively communicate with parents. It has a variety of services such as contact directories, direct messages and urgent notices to name a few.
Unknown. (Unknown).
Best Parent Teacher Communication Apps.
Educational App Store. Retrieved March 17, 2022 from
https://www.educationalappstore.com/best-apps/5-best-teacher-parent-communication-apps
Minero, E. (2017, November 22). Parent engagement in the Digital age. Edutopia. Retrieved March 15, 2022, from
https://www.edutopia.org/article/parent-engagement-digital-age
