EDTC 6433 Module 3 Resolution
Resolution:
Question: How can I use technology to effectively and
efficiently communicate classroom information to parents?
ISTE 3 is
focused on demonstrating competency and fluency with digital age tools. Likewise the standard is concerned with using
these tools to collaborate with students and parents alike. Connecting with parents is a highly valuable
and underutilized tool in propelling student growth. ISTE 3 places a focus on the importance of
this task and how we as teachers can utilize technology to accomplish this goal. One issue related to this standard is how can
we communicate with parents without overwhelming them with information. Parents
receive plenty of information throughout their day and in order for our
information to be effective, the delivery and weight of information needs to be
just right. This week I focused on methods
of collaborating and communicating with parents.
As a
specialist that works with almost 300 students throughout the year, I need to
implement not only a collaboration tool with students, but also a collaboration
tool with parents. This provides parents
with information regarding music class, an often over looked class on their
child’s schedule. In my search for information I came across one article and
one study in regards to parent-teacher communication tools. Both placed efficiency as a vital element in
communication. In a blog post by Aileen
Miracle (2015), a tool called “informances” was listed as means of
communication. This allows an opportunity for parents to come into their
child’s class and witness firsthand what goes on during music. This is not necessarily a digital age
communication tool, however it is a new spin on the idea of communicating
information, and it is one that I like quite a lot. The second resource I found was a study
testing the effectiveness and efficiency of multiple technological tools. DiJohn (2015), found a class website to be
both ineffective and very inefficient.
One tool that she found useful was Remind, a text based app that allows
quick and efficient communication with parents. This app was also referenced in Gwenn’s
article, “Using Technology To Connect With Parents” (Donohue).
Moving
forward I think I will use more technology when communicating with
parents. Mrs. Miracle’s idea of using
“informances” as a real time way of communicating information to parents, and
also using something like Remind as a way to communicate short bursts of
information, seem like great ways of blending technology and non technology
methods of communicating and collaborating with parents.
Both of these tools allow me a chance to use digital age learning as a
way to connect with and collaborate with parents.
Links:
Mrs. Miracle's Blog
http://www.mrsmiraclesmusicroom.com/2015/01/parent-communication-for-music-room.html
Effective and Efficient Parent-Teacher Communication study:
http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.891.453&rep=rep1&type=pdf
References:
A Miracle. (2015, January 26). Parent communication for the
music classroom.
Retrieved
from
DiJohn, Germaine M., "Effective
and Efficient Parent-Teacher Communication"(2015). Masters of Arts in Education
Action Research Papers. Paper 111.
Donohue,
Chad. Using Technology To Connect With Parents. Retrieved from http://www.nea.org/tools/63615.htm
I love the idea of an "informance." Creating the opportunity for parents to come into a classroom offers a more personal experience. My sons' school instituted a parent engagement strategy they call "Family Third Thursday." The third Thursday of every month families and community members are invited into the classroom to explore and learn with students. Last month, my oldest's art teacher asked if she could host the class for Third Thursday since it occurs during their usual specialist period. It was so cool to meet a specialist and see how my child interacts in the classroom. I think this could be a great parent engagement strategy.
ReplyDeleteBryan,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of informances. I am going to begin using Remind too! Please keep us posted on how you feel these tools are working with you. I know you have a lot of families to communicate with, so good luck!
Our school just implemented a "No Homework" policy. I am very much in favor of no homework--always have been. Kids are so busy these days. I shouldn't have a 7 year old tell me they just flat out can't do work because of all that they do after school (none of which sounds like actual family time). With that said, it does take away a major way I used to communicate what we are reading in class. More ways to easily reach out to parents would be helpful. Thanks for you work!
ReplyDelete