Teachers can connect with parents and students about conferences, field trips, and volunteer opportunities using Messaging Apps and Websites. Teachers can send out assignments, reminders, and progress reports more easily using Messaging Apps and Websites. This list will assist you in choosing a tool that will allow you to maintain consistency in your communication while also reaching out to parents on platforms they are already acquainted with and use. In certain instances, students’ involvement in the discussion may be aided by showing their knowledge outside of the classroom. This post will educate you more about the reliable applications available in today’s digital environment.
Table of Contents
1. Discord
Discord is, at its heart, an instant messaging application that is intended to form communities. It was first introduced five years ago, with gamers initially serving as the primary target audience. Apart from authors and film lovers, K-pop stars, artists, coworkers, and business owners have turned to message apps like Discord to connect and form new friendships.
Each community has its server, which serves as a kind of chatroom for its members. You may create distinct channels for each of the various subjects that your group discusses to keep the chatroom from becoming cluttered. It is possible to exchange text and multimedia messages, participate in voice conversations, and even create your Discord emoticons in these channels.
2. Bloomz
Bloomz can assist instructors to handle student tasks, collaboration, health, and social and emotional development. Tasks, exercises, and reminders may be shared as files, pictures, videos, or text. Encourage older kids to self-regulate by using the behavior management and reporting function. Consistently add to picture albums and behavior management systems so students may collect material for their portfolios.
On the home front, Bloomz is excellent for organizing events like conferences or volunteer programs, as well as showing families what goes on in the classroom. Send messages to individuals or groups using the choices provided. In the stream, it’s easy to miss important information. Even if you miss a post, you may still receive notifications for future events. This is a plus for busy families who can’t read every message but want to stay informed.
3. TalkingPoints
Use TalkingPoints to communicate with families in any language. Send messages, pictures, videos, and documentation of everyday school activity. Invite parents to volunteer or participate in classroom activities. Take a poll to learn about upcoming events, conferences, and class parties. Communicate properly to make all families feel welcome. Be cautious while utilizing this tool to confront parents. Ask parents about their preferred language, and be aware that messages and tone may not be translated correctly.
For the convenience of usage, the app’s UI is suggested to be set up on the desktop first. Lessons may be added manually, through the spreadsheet, or using a class code. Families may also get communications through SMS or mobile app. Instructions may be printed and sent home with pupils.
4. SchoolCNXT
If your institution has registered to SchoolCNXT, you may use it to send basic updates to all of your student’s parents or specific parents. Children will need parental permission to use the app: If your school uses the app to communicate with both parents and kids, consider utilizing it to communicate essential information to everyone, such as excursions, big occasions, or special meetings. Additionally, you may assist parents in connecting: Consider forming parent organizations to assist parents in coordinating volunteer opportunities and other ways to become engaged at their children’s school.
5. Remind
Utilize Remind to effectively reinforce existing communication methods. You may send or schedule text messages (with attachments) to remind students and families of key dates, impending exams and quizzes, timetables, field excursions, and other events. You may also use it to check in with your kids when they have a substitute teacher or to send supportive notes before or after examinations.
Stay connected through long vacations, remote learning, or year-round schools: Encourage youngsters to read books, share fascinating information, or take optional surveys to enhance learning. In addition to Google Drive, Remind interacts with several other apps like SignUp Genius and Quizlet, making it a one-stop school-home communication tool. Teachers may also establish office hours, collaborate groups, add co-teachers, receive read receipts, and schedule communications. Check out Remind’s Twitter or blog for information on new features and use cases.
6. Classting
If your school doesn’t already have parent communication, check out Classting’s capabilities. Watch the developer’s website’s short how-to videos to learn more about establishing your classroom, uploading things, and sharing classroom codes with kids, families, and co-teachers. Consider utilizing this tool to streamline school-to-home communication or to cover a communication gap in your school’s current system. Maybe here is where essential documents like permission slips go that are hard to locate on a school website. Consider this a more casual virtual front door for your classroom, where you may share daily pictures, updates, and videos from class activities. To share in-class achievements and memorable events with family who can’t attend in person.
For a virtual field trip, virtual pen pal experience, or other intriguing distant connection, you could use the classroom exchange function. Play with the classroom management tools like the timer and roulette wheel. They’re attractive enough to display on a screen to let kids take turns or work on a timed assignment.
7. Klassly
Use Klassly to communicate with parents, plan events, and assign and monitor homework. The different communication technologies may help strengthen the school-home link. Use the calendar to promote events and a poll to collect feedback. With the app, you may assign class activities with images or videos. Teachers may utilize Klassly to arrange and conduct conferences for parents who cannot attend in person. Set clear expectations for when you’ll be available and when you won’t. Creating a publishing schedule keeps things constant and updated.
Takeaway
Among its many advantages, video conferencing improves productivity, saves time, reduces travel expenses, and promotes collaboration in general. The advantage of video conferencing is that it allows you to make use of all of these advantages without having to travel all of the time for face-to-face contact.
