Connecting with Parents

Connecting with Parents

Description of the tool:

Remind101 is a tool that a teacher can use to communicate with parents and students. A teacher can send an announcement to parents through a text message. When the teacher sets up a class, Remind gives the teacher a number so the teacher's cell phone number is private. The teacher also receives a class code. Each class has their own code. The code is unique to the class. The teacher must give the code to the parents and students in order for the parents and students to use Remind101. Once the parents and students are signed up, the user will type in their name. The name of the person will appear under the subscriber area on the teacher's Remind page. 

The teacher can then send announcements to the people who have signed up. The teacher can choose to send the announcement to all the subscribers or just a certain subscriber.
The website also allows the teacher to chat with students and parents. The parents and students can chat back with the teacher. The website doesn't share the teacher's actual phone number. However, the teacher is the only person who can initiate the chat. 

A parent or student can also receive messages via email. To unsubscribe from Remind101, the student or parent needs to reply with "unsubscribe." The website provides a great handout that teachers can give parents and students. The teacher can set the time to send the announcement. The website also tells the teacher if the time is too late. However, the teacher can send the message anyway.
When the parent or student receives the announcement, he or she has the option of downloading the app which is available on Apple and Android products. The subscriber can also download the file sent by the teacher. 

Pedagogical Uses for Tool:

There are a lot of ways that teachers can use this tool for parents and students. 

Parents:

• Teachers can set up meetings with parents. Instead of sending home parent-teacher conference slips, the teacher can send out an announcement using Remind101. Since the website allows the teacher to choose a subscriber to send an announcement, the teacher can send out individual announcements to parents. 
• Teachers can remind parents of upcoming events. Parents get busy and can forget events coming up in school. However, a teacher can send a weekly update of the week. Parents will have this message on their phone for later viewing.
• Teachers can send individual messages to parents. If a student did a great job in class or a note needs to get sent home, a teacher can send the message to the parents. It is still a good idea to personally call the parent, but a teacher can send a positive note to the parent in a text message form. 
• Teachers can share homework assignments with the parents. The teacher can also attach files to the announcement. If a student is absent or missing an assignment, the teacher can attach that file into the message so the parent has access to the assignment. 
• Teachers can share a weekly newsletter. The teacher can send out the events of the week and attach the newsletter to the announcement. 
• The parent can receive a digital copy of a student's report card or weekly progress report. Again, the teacher can attach what assignments the student is missing and share the progress report with the parent.
• Teachers can share what standards the students are working on. The teacher can a checklist to the parents so the parents understand exactly what the students are working on. 
• Almost every parent has a cellphone, so parents are able to communicate with the teacher. If the parent doesn't feel comfortable calling the teacher, the parent can just text the teacher using this website. The website doesn't share the teacher's cell phone number, so there is still privacy between the teacher and the parent.
• Parents and teachers are the only ones who can see the messages. If there is private information that needs to be shared, the website won't share them with other subscribers. 
• The website gives the parents accountability for their children. If a student goes home and tells a parent that he or she doesn't have homework, the teacher can share a daily announcement of homework assignments. Parents are then aware of exactly what their student needs to complete. 
• The teacher can share the week's spelling words. The parents can have the words on their phone, so parents can practice the words on the go with their children.
• The teacher can chat with the parent about any concerns. The message goes directly to the parent, and the parent can chat back with the teacher. The parent doesn't see the teacher's actual cell phone number. In the chat, the teacher can attach a file. This allows the teacher to share assignments, data, and various other documents with the parents. 

An example of announcement page

An example of chatting with a parent

Students

• Remind101 allows teachers to have a flipped classroom. The teacher can send out a video lesson and have the students watch it. Students will then be prepared to do their assignment when they come to class the next day.
• Students can have their weekly assignments instead of having a planner. 
• The teacher can text the students their missing assignments, and attach the assignment to the student. 
• The student can send the assignment back to the teacher. If the assignment disappears, the digital copy from the teacher is still available.
• The teacher can chat with the student. Only the teacher can initiate the chat. However, the teacher can ask the students a question to think about before class and have the students respond to the question. 
• Students can communicate with their teacher privately. If a student doesn't want to share information with the class, the student is able to share information using his or her cell phone.
• Students can no longer say they didn't know about an assignment or upcoming event. Students use their cell phones all the time. Students can have the announcements right at their fingertips.
• Students can have assignments adapted to their needs. Teachers can send students different assignments via chat or text message. 

Location of the Tool:

Remind101

Cost of the Tool:

As of right now, there is no cost for the free messaging system. The website states that premium features may be added later. However, the messaging will always remain free.

Why a Teacher Wants to Use This:

Remind takes 15 seconds to sign up and get started. The teacher can send out messages to students and parents. Almost every student or parent has a cell phone. Students text all day long. Remind is a great way to communicate with students about classroom assignments, projects, and discussions. Remind allows parents to communicate with teachers without having to physically come into the classroom. The parents can communicate with the teachers on a daily basis and also have access to student assignments. Parents and teachers can be on the same page with communication all through email or text messaging. Remind is user friendly and a great way to integrate technology into the classroom setting. 

Sources:

ISTE Standards. (2015). Retrieved June 30, 2015, from http://www.iste.org/standards
Okland, S. (n.d.). EDUC 675 Teaching with 21st Century Tools. Retrieved June 30, 2015, from https://bb.vcsu.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab_tab_group_id=_3_1&url=/webapps/blackboard/execute/launcher?type=Course&id=_10455_1&url=
Remind. (2015). Retrieved June 27, 2015, from http://www.remind.com

ISTE Standards:

Teachers:

1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity

a. Promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness

c. Promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students' conceptual understanding and thinking, planning, and creative processes

2. Design and develop digital age learning experiences and assessments

a. Design or adapt relevant learning experiences that incorporate digital tools and resources to promote student learning and creativity.

b. Develop technology-enriched learning environments that enable all students to pursue their individual curiosities and become active participants in setting their won educational goals, managing their own learning, and assessing their own progress.

c. Customize and personalize learning activities to address students' diverse learning styles, working strategies, and abilities using digital tools and resources. 

3. Model digital age work and learning

b. Collaborate with students, peers, parents, and community members using digital tools and resources to support student success and innovation

c. Communicate relevant information and ideas effectively to students, parents, and peers using a variety of digital age media and formats.

4. Promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility

c. Promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information.

Students:

2. Communication and collaboration

a. Interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media

5. Digital Citizenship

a. Advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology

c. Demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning

6. Technology operations and concepts

a. Understand and use technology systems

b. Select and use applications effectively and productively

d. Transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies