Many teachers are finding ways to increase connectivity with students and parents so that learning occurs outside the classroom walls. Digital tools provide teachers a way to share content, send message, and post reminders so that students and parents are always up to date with current information. Here are a few ideas:
Remind - This app and web-based program allows teachers to create individual classes in order to send reminders, messages, hyperlinks, and documents. There is a also a chat feature so that students and parents can respond. The app uses an anonymous phone number for the teacher, student, and parent once they register with the app.
Twitter - Twitter is a great way to send out messages, images, videos, and hyperlinks associated with class content. The use of a # allows readers to see all of the posts associated with one another. For example, I use #mvhsapush for my AP United States History class. There are hundreds of # dedicated just to teachers as well. If you are even on Twitter, look up #caedchat or #teachwriting to get some ideas from the Twitter-verse.
Pinterest - Pinterest is a digital board space that allows users to gather hyperlinks from the internet and share them with users. Many teachers organize boards for specific classes or units of study so that students can see content associated with assignments/tests/projects being completed in class.
These three apps can be introduced very easily in class and most students will already know how to use them. You can always ask them for a tutorial and I am sure they would be willing to show you. And while some might think social media can be distracting or non-academic, these three apps are growing in popularity because of teachers, students, and parents are increasing collaboration and communication.
Remind - This app and web-based program allows teachers to create individual classes in order to send reminders, messages, hyperlinks, and documents. There is a also a chat feature so that students and parents can respond. The app uses an anonymous phone number for the teacher, student, and parent once they register with the app.
Twitter - Twitter is a great way to send out messages, images, videos, and hyperlinks associated with class content. The use of a # allows readers to see all of the posts associated with one another. For example, I use #mvhsapush for my AP United States History class. There are hundreds of # dedicated just to teachers as well. If you are even on Twitter, look up #caedchat or #teachwriting to get some ideas from the Twitter-verse.
Pinterest - Pinterest is a digital board space that allows users to gather hyperlinks from the internet and share them with users. Many teachers organize boards for specific classes or units of study so that students can see content associated with assignments/tests/projects being completed in class.
These three apps can be introduced very easily in class and most students will already know how to use them. You can always ask them for a tutorial and I am sure they would be willing to show you. And while some might think social media can be distracting or non-academic, these three apps are growing in popularity because of teachers, students, and parents are increasing collaboration and communication.