Miche Pope

http://msmicheedu-225.weebly.com
EDU-225
5/17/15

Entry 1: Technology to Support Communication

Introduction
Living in a world surrounded by technology it is important that students are learning and
taking advantage of these sources and tools to advance their learning and readiness for the real
world. Technology is not just a learning tool but also helps to enhance communications with
students, parents, and the global community. Clear communication is important for teachers,
students, and their parents. With good communication between theses three parties it ensures the
success for the student. Using technology can help the students and parents because they can
have access to information about what is going on in the classroom. A great example would be
providing information about what students are learning, what their assignments are, and how to
complete them.
Technology to Enhance Communication
(Email): One way teachers can communicate with others is through email. Email can be an
effective way for teachers, parents, and the global community to stay connected. Many people
have an email account. By using email it not only saves paper but also is faster than mailing a
letter. This is important for parents who may have questions and concerns about their childs
education, behaviors, or up-coming events. Students can also email teacher if they need
clarification on assignments, or are concerned about grades. Teachers need to be able to have

excellent communication skills so that there are no communication issues. Since teachers,
students, and parents cannot see each other they cannot hear the tone of what is being said let
alone see the body language being used. It is important for all to be positive even when
communicating negative information because parents sometimes internalize criticism as a
personal attack against the student or their parenting.(Romano, 2012, p.14).
(Remind): With people on the go in todays world cell phones are an important way for
people to stay connected. Many people like the ease of texting. Texting allows quick messages
and reminders to be sent without interrupting what others maybe in the middle of. While teachers
may not want students and parents to know their personal phone number they can use Remind.
Remind is a safe way for teachers to text message students and stay in touch with
parents.(Bobbitt, R., Inman, R., & Bertrand, E., 2013, p. 77). It is a website that allows teachers
to send text messages whether it be a group message or an individual message to students and
parents. In these messages teachers can send out notifications about events that may be
happening at school, assignments and there due dates. If parents or students want to sign up for
these notifications they have to enter their phone number, which will never be able to be seen by
the teacher and vise versa parents will not be able to see the teachers phone number.
(Blog/Classroom website): With classroom blogs and websites teachers can post a variety
of information. They can post class schedules, objectives, assignments, grades, photos, and blogs
so that parents can have access to what is going on and to resources they can use. With these
things parents, students, and the global community can comment on posts gaining more
knowledge and building communication. Classroom websites make it possible for teachers to
showcase their students work to a wide audience and involve parents and the community as
partners in the learning process.( Holcomb, L. B., Castek, J. M., & Johnson, P. R., 2007, p. 37).

(Edmodo):Edmodo is a great website to keep in contact with students. It is set up just like
their favorite social network website Facebook. On this website notes, alerts, assignments,
quizzes, polls, and snapshots can be up loaded for the students to view and use. Students who
are absent can check the daily post to see what they missed.(Harper, A. L. 2010, p.20). On
Edmodo searches can be done to find other teachers. This allows other teachers to connect and
share posts as well.
Communication Internet Security and Safety
Internet security is an important topic for educators due to curriculum now
incorporating tools such as the Internet.(DeFranco, J. F., 2011, p.52) Parent, student, and teacher
privacy is a top priority and needs to be addressed so that their information can be kept in
confidentiality. This is why schools have strict rules and regulation in concern with using the
Internet. Schools and school districts have a legal responsibility to protect this sensitive
information.(Gunter A. G., & Gunter E., R, 2014, p.428). This is why most schools require that
teachers, students, staff, and parents sign an Acceptable Use Policy that provides specific
guidance for using school computers, networks, and the Internet.(Gunter A. G., & Gunter E., R,
2014, p.428). Schools often hire network administrator whose job includes keeping harmful
content out of the school network, usually through installation of some form of filter (Melgosa,
A., & Scott, R., 2013, p.46). This filter allows the students to only see appropriate content and
filters out anything that might be harmful. As a teacher it is important to set a clear set of limits
about what is allowed and what is not allowed.(Johnson, D., 2011, p.52). This is important to go
over anytime the students are using the computer so that they understand your expectations and
the consequences if they do not abide by them.

Concluding Paragraph
It is important to incorporate technology into the classroom to enhance student learning
and communication between teachers, students, parents, and the global community. There are
many websites teachers can use to ensure the safety and privacy of their students and parents as
well as themselves. Some of these websites include Remind and Edmodo or even setting up a
class blog or website. One of the easiest ways to communicate with parents is through email but
sometimes teacher or parents do not see the emails in time. That is where the other websites
come in handy.

References:
Bobbitt, R., Inman, R., & Bertrand, E. (2013). Using Remind 101 as a Classroom:
Communication Tool. NACTA Journal, 57(4), 77.
DeFranco, J. F. (2011). Teaching Internet Security, Safety in Our Classrooms. Techniques:
Connecting Education And Careers, 86(5), 52.
Gunter A. G., & Gunter E., R (2014). Teachers Discovering Computers: Integrating Technology
In Connected World (8th ed.), 428
Harper, A. L. (2010). Social Networking with Edmodo: Let Your Digital Footprints Lead the
Way. Kentucky English Bulletin, 59(2), 20.
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), 37.
Johnson, D. (2004). Proactively Teaching Technology Ethics. Library Media Connection, 22(4),
24.
Melgosa, A., & Scott, R. (2013). School Internet Safety: More Than 'Block It to Stop It'.

Education Digest, 79(3), 46.

Romano, M. (2012). The Dreaded (Sometimes Delightful) Parent Phone Call. Science
Teacher, 79(1), 14.