Helen Rich

EDU 225
October 4, 2015
Brian Clark

Introduction: (4-6 sentences) http://herclass.weebly.com

Effective communication between teachers and parents in the classroom is imperative for
student success. Technology has greatly improved the ways in which teachers can communicate
with parents. It is now faster and easier for constant communication, allowing for parents to
know how their child is doing in class, and what they are learning. Parents are able to give their
child the support they need at home, when they know how they are doing in school. Students can
stay up to date on assignments, and ask their teacher questions via online resources. The global
community can learn from one another, and better their skills in the classroom. Social media,
classroom websites, parent portals and remind.com are all effective means for communication
between teacher, parent, student and the global community.
Technology to Enhance Communication
Social Media: Social media is an integral piece of technology today. Many, people use this
technology on a daily, sometimes hourly basis. This is the reason as to why teachers are
integrating it into their classroom communication efforts.

Parents: Parents may benefit from this communication through social media because it
allows for them to be alerted with calendars of upcoming events (Thibaut, 2015). School
activity schedules become hectic and sometimes disorganized amongst all of the other
events that take place in a persons life. Social media sites allow for parents to simply

like the class page, and then receive information as they check their updated newsfeed.
Students: Social media may even be a more beneficial tool for students to communicate,
as they are usually more apt check more often. Teachers can update their students on task
submissions and class news via social media (Thibaut, 2015). This easy form of
communication is great for students, as they may not even think about looking for a due
date, it just shows up on their newsfeed as a reminder.

Global Community: The Global community can also value social media as a form of
communication, as it is so simple to use, and can reach millions of people within seconds.
One teacher can post new techniques and research to their wall, and another teacher
across the world will see it, and learn from it (Thibaut, 2015). The connection between
teachers is extended and easier to locate with social media.

Classroom Websites: Another new and effective way for teachers to communicate is a
classroom website. By creating their own personalized site which parents and students may view,
more information and resources can be provided for all parties involved.

Parents: Classroom websites are easily accessible, and provide extensive information on
class news (Gunter &Gunter, 2015). Parents can receive information on what their child

is learning, what is coming up, and find resources to aid in their childs success.
Students: Students also benefit from classroom websites, as they too can be kept up to
date on their classroom activities. Not only can they be knowledgeable of their classroom
events, but they can interact with their teacher and ask questions about assignments and
other inquiries (Dunn, 2011). Teachers can easily respond to questions which are visible
for the rest of the class to see, helping students to understand requirements to their

assignments.
Global Community: Classroom websites can be viewed publically for the world to see.
Teachers value being able to take ideas from each other to become better instructors and
communicators (Dunn, 2011). A look inside a virtual classroom sparks concepts for new
and better instruction in their own classroom.

Parent Portal: Parent portal is an effective system for parents and students to be updated on
grades and missing assignments. This communication allows for teacher, student and parent to be
on the same page as far a grades, assignments and assessments.

Parents: Parent involvement in their childs schooling is vital for student success
( Olmstead, 2013). Parent portal is a private account for parents to view their childs
gradebook. This allows for them to ensure their student is completing assignments, as
well as learning the information being taught (Olmstead, 2013). Parents can intervene if

their child needs help, without their teachers direct contact.

Students: Students can also use parent portal to look at their grades and monitor their
progress (Olmstead, 2013). It is essential for students to know where they stand in their
class, and what they need to work on. Parent portal allows for them to stay up to date on

how they are doing in class.

Global Community: The global community is not benefitted from this method of
communication. Parent portal is a private account which only the teacher, student and
parent have access to.

Remind.com: Remind.com is an app dedicated to the communication between school, teacher,

student and parent. Simple, private messages are sent for updates, which can be viewed on any
device.

Parents: This website is an easy way for parents to be reminded of upcoming events.
Since messages are sent directly to phones, it is more likely that a parent will read it and
know of the event. Statistics say that parents who are aware of their childs school
occasions and class events are more likely to have successful students (Olmstead, 2013).
Remind.com allows for quick notification and easy access, so parents may be on top of

their childs learning.

Students: Students can use this app to ask their teacher questions on assignments, or to
receive alerts on changes in homework. This method of communication is most effective
for older students, as children most likely dont have phones. But, it can be very

beneficial if the teacher posts remind.com news on websites or social media to

accommodate those without phones (Bobbitt & Bertrand, 2013).

Global Community: The global community cannot benefit from this app, as it is private
messaging with unknown numbers between teacher, student and parent.

Communication Internet Security and Safety:

Teachers need to take measures for internet safety when using technology to
communicate with parents, students and other teachers. First, teachers need to ensure that no
personal information is shared on any public site ( Gunter & Gutner, 2015). All information that
is shared on any site must be strictly general, school information, and private matters should be
spoken directly, face to face. Next, teachers need to remind their students what is permissible and
how to safely use the internet (Gunter & Gutner, 2015) It is their duty to instruct their students on
how to use technology safely.
Concluding Paragraph (4-6 sentences)
Communication is essential for student success. Technology has greatly increased the
efficiency for how teachers can communicate with their students and parents in their class.
Teachers around the world are able to communicate with each other easier and faster, so that they
are able to learn from one another and better their teaching. Social media allows for thoughtless
access to class news and events. Class websites provide detailed information and resources for
parents and students to use at their disposal. Parent portal permits parents to be involved in their
childs learning by allowing them to keep tabs on their progress. Lastly, remind.com notifies
students and parents of alerts and updates straight to their phones. Technology has progressed
communication in schools, making for more successful students and brighter futures.

References
Bobbitt, R., Inman, R., & Bertrand, E. (2013). Using Remind 101 as a Classroom :
Communication Tool. NACTA Journal, 57(4), 77-78. Retrieved From:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ehh&AN=93664297&site=ehost-live&scope=site
Dunn, L. S. (2011). Making the Most of Your Class Website. Educational Leadership,
68(5), 60-62. Retrieved From: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ972033&site=eds-live&scope=site
Gunter, G & Gunter, R. (2015). Integrating Technology in a Changing World:
Teachers Discovering Computers, Creating Blogs. Cenege Learning. Sally Cashman
Series. Retrieved From: https://viewer.gcu.edu/R4MF8V

Olmstead, C. (2013). Using Technology to Increase Parent Involvement in Schools.

Techtrends: Linking Research & Practice To Improve Learning, 57(6), 28-37.
doi:10.1007/s11528-013-0699-0 Retrieved From: http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?
url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ehh&AN=91587612&site=eds-live&scope=site
Thibaut, P. (2015). Social network sites with learning purposes: Exploring new
spaces for literacy and learning in the primary classroom. Australian Journal Of
Language & Literacy, 38(2), 83-94. Retrieved From:
http://library.gcu.edu:2048/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?
direct=true&db=ehh&AN=103157128&site=eds-live&scope=site