DB02: Communication With Parents [CO.2]
Create a table that assesses the benefits and drawbacks of the following types of technology for communicating with parents: Emailing Newsletters, Phone Blasts (Mass Recorded Phone Calls), Mail Merging Letters, Parent Video Conferences, and Social Media. (Your references will be made towards specific technologies as examples.) Provide two [2] learning management systems (Google Classroom, Classcraft, Edmodo, Schoology, IO Classroom, etc.) in your response that illustrates their parent engagement features.
Comments: Share a communication tool that you use to communicate, be specific about the technology.
Emailing Newsletters (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact)
Easily accessible and allows for detailed information sharing; can include images, links, and attachments
May go unnoticed in crowded inboxes; requires parents to check their email regularly
Phone Blasts (e.g., Blackboard Connect, SchoolMessenger)
Quickly reaches all parents with urgent messages; effective for emergency notifications
Can be intrusive; parents may ignore or miss calls; no opportunity for two-way communication
Mail Merging Letters (e.g., Microsoft Word & Excel, Google Docs)
Allows for personalized communication in bulk; good for formal notices
Slower delivery; requires physical mailing or printing, which can be costly and environmentally unfriendly
Parent Video Conferences (e.g., Zoom, Google Meet)
Enables face-to-face interaction; great for addressing concerns directly and fostering engagement
Requires internet access and scheduling coordination; some parents may not be comfortable with video calls
Social Media (e.g., Facebook Groups, Twitter, Remind)
Engages parents in real-time updates; encourages community interaction and feedback
Privacy concerns; not all parents use social media; potential for misinformation to spread
Learning Management Systems with Parent Engagement Features
Google Classroom – Offers guardian email summaries that provide updates on student progress, missing assignments, and upcoming deadlines. Parents can receive weekly or daily notifications to stay informed.
Schoology – Includes a parent portal where guardians can monitor their child’s assignments, grades, and classroom activities. Parents can also communicate directly with teachers within the platform.
These technologies, when used effectively, enhance parent-teacher communication, ultimately supporting student success.
Sources:
Mastrandea, D. (n.d.). Parent communication technologies [Google Slides presentation]. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1fI-wLPmlAAKDCK3s0CuosjuJT-2l6aam8Q-yz99T4mc/edit#slide=id.g35f391192_00
Mastrandea, D. (n.d.). Learning management systems for parent engagement [Google Slides presentation]. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1c2p6eVyfukR4gXu6uGGWGAh1UmqEWxqQibrfKY_M9aA/edit#slide=id.g35f391192_00
