TOP PICKS | 19 TOOLS
Apps and Websites for Improving Parent-Teacher Communication
Top Picks
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Messaging & Announcements
Classting
Social media approach draws families into the daily classroom
Bottom line: Flexible, practical platform for sharing updates and information with families, creating positive communications.
ParentSquare
Versatile communication tool fosters parent engagement and involvement
Bottom line: A convenient way to help schools streamline communication among administrators, support staff, teachers, and parents.
Remind
Teachers' text reminders keep students -- and parents -- up to speed
Bottom line: Well-designed, highly effective messaging tool has the potential to keep students and families connected with their schools.
TalkingPoints
Multilingual texting tool enhances school-to-home communication
Bottom line: Easy-to-use tool for supporting communication and engagement with families in 100+ languages.
ClassDojo
Handy management and portfolio tool can promote student growth
Bottom line: With thoughtful implementation, it can help teachers and parents support students' growth through goal-setting, feedback, and celebration.
Bloomz
Full-featured parent-teacher communication platform
Bottom line: One-stop multi-tool for parents, teachers, and students.
ClassTag
Flexible user-friendly tool gets teachers and families in sync
Bottom line: Effective communication platform with practical options to meet classroom needs.
Heard
Parent communication and resource-sharing tool keeps families engaged
Bottom line: With a mindful onboarding process, Heard has great potential to be a go-to tool for parent involvement and community building.
Smart classroom tool if used with care; priceless for PLNs
Bottom line: Twitter offers something for everyone: information, resources, and an easy way to connect with just about anyone.
Portfolio Tools
Sesame
Portfolio and communication tool makes formative assessment a snap
Bottom line: A useful way for teachers, students, and parents to monitor progress and demonstrate holistic evidence of learning.
Seesaw: The Learning Journal
Versatile digital portfolio appeals to teachers, students, and parents
Bottom line: A powerful multimedia learning and communication tool that demonstrates student progress over time.
FreshGrade
A fresh way to capture, document, and share student learning
Bottom line: Multimedia documentation tools and a customizable grade book help communicate learning and expand both summative and formative assessment.
Bulb
Slick portfolio tool has cool features, limited feedback options
Bottom line: A neat tool for publishing online, possibly better suited to teacher content creation than student publishing.
Websites & Class Blogs
Edublogs
If you want your students writing and sharing, Edublogs is the place to start.
Bottom line: Edublogs is a fantastic platform for any teacher committed to blogging as a tool for extending learning beyond the classroom.
Weebly
Impressively easy-to-use website-creation tool
Bottom line: Helpfully walks students through each step of website creation, and teachers can control access and monitor progress.
Blogger
Versatile, easy-to-use blog platform best used with teacher guidance
Bottom line: With teacher support and guidance, motivated kids will find this easy-to-use and eye-catching platform a fun place to share their voices.
Google Sites
Make your own website with easy, intuitive drag-and-drop features
Bottom line: With a few clicks, students can design a basic but custom, responsive website that allows for easy collaboration with their peers.
WordPress
Inviting, customizable mobile blog platform with easy-to-use interface
Bottom line: Wordpress's app makes it easy to create and edit blog posts, manage comments, and view friends' blogs, and could be an indispensable tool for communication and collaboration if well-implemented.
