PArent Communication Tools
Using a parent communication app can be a great solution for protecting your privacy while keeping your parent emails and messages organized. Research suggest that effective teacher-family communication can lead to increased student engagement. In fact, Harvard Graduate School of Education conducted research on the use of the tool Remind. The images below depict the growth that occurred in the test schools.
Two of the most popular communication apps for teachers are Bloomz and Remind. See the information below to determine which app is best for you. (You can also access these tools on the web).
Bloomz
Bloomz is designed more for elementary teachers, and especially those that like to participate in social media. Parents appreciate the familiar Facebook-like environment that allows them to connect with their child’s teacher as well as with other parents. Teachers love the fact that not only can they send messages, they can create classroom calendars and build online sign-up sheets too. This app is packed with features. When you post a message (which can include an attachment), parents can comment on or “like” the post, just as they do on Facebook. Because the app includes organizational features like class calendars and digital sign-up sheets (useful for volunteering, field trips, and conferences) , teachers are finding that they can eliminate several different systems and do all of their parent communicating with this single app. |
Remind
Remind (formerly Remind 101) seems to be most popular among secondary teachers. If you’re looking for a simple app with just enough features to get the job done, Remind might be a good fit for you. Getting students and parents signed up takes very little time because Remind gives you a specific code students (or parents) can use to join the class of a particular teacher. Some teachers even make the sign-up process part of their class routine in the first week to ensure that all of their students are onboard. With Remind, you can send one reminder to an entire group (parents or students) and even see who viewed the announcement. Teens are texting pros, so it makes sense for teachers to try to reach out to them via their favorite medium. |
Side By Side Comparison
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