There are various communication tools that teachers use to communicate
with parents and students. Here I have chose two that are my favorite.
1. Remind.com
"Remind.com is the leading communication platform in education." It is a way for teachers/coaches/club organizers to get information out in one message to everyone on the list. The teacher can go in and create an account, list all the students names, and their parents phone numbers. Once this is all entered, the teacher can create a message or reminder and send it out to the whole classes parents. It's easy for parents because instead of coming across as an email or a newsletter, it comes through the parents phone as a text message. Multiple classes and students can be added to remind so you can keep track of what messages need to go to what students. Individual messages can be sent out as well. It is a great form of communication for teachers to relay information to parents.
Overall I think that Remind is a great tool for teachers to get information to parents. The site is super easy to navigate through, and it is very likely that I will use this site for my parents in the future.
Tutorial:
Link to Website: www.remind.com
2. Bloomz
Bloomz is another parents-teacher communication tool. With this, the teacher goes on and creates an account and lists the parents name and contact information. Parents go and get the app on their apple/android. The teachers will add the parents into the class reminders so that everything is private communication. The teacher can then send out private, 1 on 1 messages, or can send out messages to the whole class regarding assignments or class reminders. Portfolios of students work can also be created on there to show the parents the students work throughout the year. There is also a behavior section that lets the teacher show the parents the students good/bad behavior throughout the school day so that the parent is aware of how the student is acting. Events can be created as well, such as parent-teacher conferences so that parents can sign up for times for when they can be there. Teachers can post volunteer sign ups within Bloomz as well so that the parents can sign up to volunteer in the classroom. This is a great communication app for teachers and parents.
Overall, the Bloomz app is very versatile, the app can do so many things from reminders, behavior notifications, event sign up, and so much more. The app is super easy to navigate through and it is an app that I will for sure use in my classroom to communicate with my parents.
Tutorial:
Link to website: www.bloomz.net
Katie Byers
Comments
When looking through all of the communication tools I also found Bloomz to be very helpful. Remind seems like a great way to keep track of contact information with 30 plus people. The idea of reminders sound great through text messages I find them helpful for when I schedule things like doctors appointments. Do you see yourself using Bloomz and Remind in the classroom?
I love the idea of using bloomz to communicate effectively with parents. I know as a parent I’d find the easy access to this app very helpful and efficient! This is a great way of communicating with parents in a personal way by keeping it professional. How frequently do you plan on updating or using this app?
I definitely agree about Remind, it's easy to use, and have seen it being used in action, I can say it is what they say it is cracked up to be! I like how individual messages can be sent, so there can be a quick, private conversation with a parent. Bloomz seems like the tool that is really all-in-one. It is really amazing how many diverse features are in this tool, for almost every area of the classroom environment. Great post!
Yes, I see myself using Bloomz more because it can do what Remind can do, but also has more features. I really like how portfolios can be shared via this app, behavior can be charted for parents to see, and events can be created! Plus this app can send out reminders just like the Remind app does. I like both, but I really see myself using Bloomz more.
Katie
Yes I have used Remind many times for educational purposes. I had a teacher in high school that would send us reminders a couple nights a week about upcoming assignments or anything else he felt was necessary to "remind" us of. It was very helpful and I liked it a lot.
Katie
As for updating parents I think maybe 1-3 nights a week just so they get enough information but not too much. Reminding them of the childs assignments or anything else they need to be aware of!
Katie Byers
Thank you! I really like Remind and the idea behind it, but I really like Bloomz because you can send out reminders as well and notify parents about so much more! It's a great all around platform that I definitely will be using in the future!
Katie