Today we use many different forms of technology on a daily basis. We use devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers, smart TVs and so much more. Classrooms today are equipped with much more than it was 10 years ago and in having so much more students, teachers and parents need to understand how the classroom would use the new technology that is available to them. These technologies need to be able to enhance communication through the Remind Application, a classroom website, and social media to keep both student and parent informed about what is going on in the classroom and their grades.
Technology to Enhance Communication Remind (mobile application): Remind101 or also known as remind is a free service for teachers to keep in touch with parents and students. This program allows for text messages to be sent only from the teacher to the students or parents that have subscribed to it which keeps everyone’s personal information safe. Because most students have a cell phone and use them regularly teachers can utilize teens affinity for mobile phones and use them in the classroom to support context, student-centered learning and collaboration and authentic learning while using different instruction tactics (Thomas, K., & Orthober, C., 2011). With this program my students will be able to stay informed using text messages on assignments due, test reminders and reminders of projects that are due. If parents use the program they will be able to be informed if their student is missing assignments, failing the class or could use extra help after school.
A classroom website: Classrooms today are not what they were 10 years ago and teachers use classroom websites to make it possible to showcase students’ work to more than just the school audience and involve parents and the community as partners in the learning process (Holcomb, L. B., Castek, J. M., & Johnson, P. R., 2007). A classroom website can be used to help students track their assignments and when they are due, any special dates coming up in the classroom such as field trips and to have a chance to communicate with the teacher in a form that is accessible to the other students. For parents, a website can be a drastic change to just verbal communication and can help them keep on the same level of what is going on in their students’ school life as well as seeing what their student is learning about during the current semester.
Social Media: Social media can help our students stay connected to one another when not at school and working on projects together. When students use Google apps to collaborate with
Other students they learn to work as a team by sharing and creating documents, slide sets, spreadsheets, drawings, websites, maps blogs and so much more. These apps also allow for students and the teacher to give input on how to make the project better (Swan, C., 2013). All of this can be shared through social media such as Google docs. However more than that is using a social page to allow students to be in a group that allows for them to stay in touch in a way that is more appropriate to how they normally would. For parents who use the same social media it can encourage them to track and keep in touch with their student in more ways than just talking.
Communication Internet Security and Safety
Teachers should address Internet security by reminding their students to not share certain information online such as where they live, where they go to school, types of photos they share, and how they use social media. When it comes to safety with communication as well as security remembering all of these things help to keep teachers, students and parents safe. With many people using social media they forget how information can be used against them and how their information is easily accessible by many people even if they mean it not to be. Being aware of what is posted, how it is posted and if it was posted while using a GPS type device it can be see how and why many people forget how easily it is for others to use their information. Many students are still learning about the world around them and how information is exchanged may forget the best way to use and share their posts with family and friends while keeping those that they do not want to see the information from seeing it. Many sites offer a chance to edit who can see posts, pictures, and blogs and with this comes some control of who has access to the information keeping parents, teachers and students safer.
Students need to be able to access different ways to communicate with teachers and parents in this day with technology changing. Teachers can use many forms of communication to keep both parents and students informed and using apps, websites, and social media is only a small part of what is available for everyone to use. Being safe while using technology is important for everyone and remembering to use it responsibly is probably the easiest way to keep information private that needs to be. Regardless of the dangers students use and embrace the use of many forms of communication and as a teacher it is a way for us to encourage our students to not only use the technology available but to use it in a way that can help their education.
References:
Thomas, K., & Orthober, C. (2011). USING TEXT-MESSAGING IN THE SECONDARY CLASSROOM. American Secondary Education, 39(2), 55-76.
Holcomb, L. B., Castek, J. M., & Johnson, P. R. (2007). Unlocking the Potential of K-12 Classroom Websites to Enhance Learning. New England Reading Association Journal, 43(1), 36-43.
Swan, C. (2013). BEING SOCIAL. Tech & Learning, 33(7), 30-33.