Communication is Key
There are lots of helpful tools and applications that help teachers communicate with students and parents. Staying consistent with one platform will allow you to communicate more accurately, especially if you need to revise and change plans. Using multiple platforms that, in the end, serve the same purpose, add to your already busy list of things to do. With G-Suite for Education, communication tools are already designed to be streamlined so nothing more is needed.
Consider the following scenarios:
Scenario 1:
Your digital platform is a Google Site and Google Classroom. On the Homepage of your Google Site, you have a daily or weekly agenda posted. Done.
Scenario 2:
Your Google Classroom is used for submitting work. Each Google Classroom has a unique Google Calendar. Every time you post a date, students will see it on their Google Calendar. Done.
Scenario 3:
Parents like to receive a newsletter each week/month. Create a folder in your Google Drive for your newsletters. Share so anyone can view. Embed this folder into your Google Site. Done.
Scenario 4:
Parents often forget to check and need a reminder (I am this parent). In Google Contacts, create a label with parents’ emails (an easy way to collect emails is Google Forms). When you update your newsletter, send an email BBC to your parents with a link to your Google Site (to remind them of your other resources) and location of your newsletters. Done.
Suggested Kincaid IT Courses:
- Setting Up Effective Communication in Google
- Using Google Classroom
- Managing a Virtual Class Meeting
