Classroom Communication Tools

Effectively communicating with students and parents is a major component of teaching. While it may seem that these audiences are similar, the strategies and tools for communication, as well as their intended purposes, vary. Here's a few you may want to try.

Parent Communication Tools

Remind: Remind is a great way to communicate via text message. Creating an account is free, and users have the option to add multiple classes as groups. Parents and/or students will enroll by texting a message to your class code (instructions given by Remind):

After that, teachers can send and even schedule messages to go out to recipients via the web or mobile app. Remind is one way communication. Recipients of messages cannot respond back to the sender. 

Twitter: Classroom Twitter accounts can be of great benefit. Because messages are limited to 120 characters, users are forced to provide the most relevant and important information. Followers can respond to tweets to clarify information or to initiate conversations. Tweets can be public or private, so be sure to consider the privacy of students when tweeting.  You can also use Fast Follow with Twitter so that when you tweet, your followers will receive a text message.

Google Voice: So often, students and parents need to communicate with teachers, but handing out your personal phone number can sometimes be a risk. Google Voice can connect multiple lines to a single proxy phone number, and has a transcript stored within your account of all voice mails and text messages. To use Google Voice, you first have to have a Google account.

QR Codes: QR Codes are everywhere. They are universal, and provide a very quick way to share information. I usually use QR Stuff or the Shorten Me extension in Chrome to create my QR codes.

To use them as a communication tool, simply create a QR code by pasting the chosen URL into the generator listed above (or Shorten Me just makes one for you), then download the code as an image to print. Here's some ideas:

• Provide a link to your class website that you hang outside your classroom
• Provide your contact information on a business card
• Link to information about your school to print on magnets or Tshirts

Student Communication Tools

Other communication purposes might include opportunities to engage students and allow for them to all have an equal voice. It is not uncommon for a few students in the classroom to refrain from participation, while a handful are very vocal. By using technology tools as an engagement strategy, shy students are more likely to contribute, equalling the playing field for all kids.

Today's Meet: Today's Meet creates a backchannel for students. Free and super easy, all teachers have to do is create a room, then choose how long they want it to remain open. Provide the given URL to students, and they can ask questions or post ideas to the monitored channel as long as it is open by adding their name in the "Nickname" field and clicking "Join." Here's a few ways I've seen this used:

• To provide students with a way to ask questions after class has ended
• To brainstorm ideas
• To post questions when interviewing a guest speaker

Keep in mind that the teacher will need to continue to monitor this site for questions and posts. Be intentional when creating a room to only leave it open as long as it would serve useful.

Padlet: This free and easy to use brainstorming tool is a must for a classroom. After the teacher sets it up by posting a topic, a question, and then personalizing it with a background and thumbnail images (optional), students simply access the site through the newly generated URL and double click on the site to add ideas, questions, pictures, and even files. Posts can be anonymous. This is a great way to get ideas from everyone.

Mailinator: This is not a continuous communication tool, but is very useful in the classroom. It was developed because often, teachers would like to use a variety of web tools with students, but sites require students to have an email account. Because not all schools provide an email, Mailinator allows users to very quickly create a temporary account to use for registrations. On the home page,  you'll see a generator to type in your chosen email address. For example, "klista" becomes "klista@mailinator.com." The email address is open just long enough to create and verify accounts. Just be sure to write down usernames and passwords and keep them for students in case they have forgotten.

All of these tools are free and very easy to use, which is not only important for busy teachers, but also for the students and parents who will be accessing the tools. Try one and see what difference it can make in your classroom!

Supporting Technology in Your School

If you're an administrator, you might sometimes wonder how you can support teachers in your building when it comes to integrating technology into the curriculum.  Remember, staying up to date with technology as an administrator is just as critical as it is for classroom teachers.  Here's a few people you can add to your PLN:

If you're a "Pinner," here's a board for you to follow:  Jennifer Phillips, Ed Tech and Social Media
If you're a "Tweeter," here's a great new lead for you: Jen Sigrist

As we move towards the Common Core, we have a greater need than ever to focus on technology integration.  Not only is technology embedded in the Core Standards, but we also aid in student's learning, understanding, and innovation when we use their tools to meet learning goals and objectives.  Here's a middle school project idea to meet Common Core Standards for all core subjects of math, ELA, science, and social studies:

"Your community is redeveloping and wants to find a way to bring families and neighborhoods together.  A plot of land has been set aside to build a park.  Your group must research other parks and poll community members to make conclusions about what the community would like to see in the new park.  After collecting data, you will design a prototype model to present to the project development board as well as publications in the form of brochures or videos to attract visitors.  You will integrate maps and pictures into your publications."

An example project such as the one above would involve critical thinking in the form of evaluation, analysis, and synthesis.  Students would be involved in researching using Internet tools and would compile the collected data in a spreadsheet so preferences could be easily graphed.  Interactive maps could be accessed for layout, and students would use a variety of tools to experience geometry in the real world.  Students will write rough drafts and publish finished products as a community resource using visual literacy skills.

Although the above is an example for middle school, it could be adapted for both high school and upper elementary classes.  If you need resources for grade levels that do not fit either of these categories, please contact me.

I'd love to come work with your school during a PLC or other PD day to show you how technology tools can be used to meet CCSS. Check out my calendar for availability:



 

Creating Your PLN

In my last post, I gave the reasons for creating a PLN.  Here's a few quick links with tutorials demonstrating how to create various accounts for your PLN.


Creating a Twitter Account:

Creating a Pinterest PLN:

Use them on your computer or with mobile apps to stay connected!

Developing a Learning Network

How do we depend on networks in our lives?
How will you continue to depend on a network as professionals?

Technology changes so fast that it's hard to keep up with it.  As soon as you get used to one application, something new has taken its place.  Staying ahead of the curve can take a conscious effort.  

Many professionals use Web 2.0 tools to stay connected. You may hear this referred to as a "PLN," or Personal Learning Network. A popular one is Twitter, and recently, Pinterest has become a highly desired choice.  When choosing how you'll develop your Personal Learning Network, you need to consider what works for you and the time you have.  Here's a breakdown of each:


Twitter:

• Online social network
• There's an app for that
• Short, concise information
• Typically links to other sites
• Sometimes has inspiring messages
• Easy to follow leaders in Ed Tech

Pinterest:

• Online visual bookmarking service
• There's an app for that
• Easy to categorize information using boards
• Links to other sites and blogs

Developing a solid PLN is a good way to stay in the know.  

Here's an example of how I use Twitter:
My Twitter Feed
My Twitter EdTech list (This is a custom list I made of Tweeters that specifically provide information I use regularly)

Here are links to my Pinterest boards dealing with education:

Technology Integration

Non-Techy Education

Flipped Classroom

You must decide two things.  First, what are you looking for in a PLN? Do you want to keep up with innovators, cool sites, great leaders, or new tools?  What makes the difference is who you choose to follow.  Something else to remember is that it's important to contribute if you're wanting to learn from others. Taking but not providing won't get you far for long.

Before you build your PLN, decide what you're looking for.  Create a checklist of items you want to see from people (or companies) you'll follow to develop a PLN. This will be anything that you think will keep you in the loop with new technologies and/or ideas to use technology in the classroom.  Then, use the checklist to create your PLN.  You could choose to use a variety of social media, like Facebook or YouTube. This will help keep you abreast with new information and new technologies.