Technology That Supports Parental Engagement A ‘Top Priority’ For Schools
When considering what’s best for students, it is necessary to factor in the important role parents play in the school journey. Parental engagement in student learning is essential, with research showing a positive correlation between parent involvement and student learning outcomes.
With a desire to strengthen this important connection and educate in partnership with parents, more and more schools are turning to technology, seeking out purpose built tools to help engage parents more deeply in the learning process.
Keep Parents Informed Using Data
Schools are increasingly looking at ways to collect and use data to create learner profiles of all their students. To better understand the whole student, schools need to capture both student engagement and wellbeing data, as well as data on academic progress.
Teachers can use the learner profiles to gain a deeper understanding of their students, sharing these insights with parents to facilitate open communication around their child’s learning and development, and connect them more deeply with their school community by enabling them to feel involved.
“Our parents want to know that their sons are well looked after, both academically and in terms of their pastoral as well” - James Bowles, Head of Students, The Scots College.
Build Trust And Engagement Amongst Parents And Teachers
The need for teachers to form connections with parents has always existed. In the past, teachers had very few opportunities to communicate with parents. By drip-feeding information to parents at parent-teacher interviews and through end of semester reports, it is no wonder that parents did not feel involved in their child’s learning.
But with the rapid growth of data available in schools, comes the added ability for teachers and parents to be more open and dynamic with their communications.
Continuous communication allows parents to not only feel more involved in their child’s learning and development, but it builds trust between the parent, teacher and school that their child is making progress and is being recognised in their achievement and development.
Reduce The ‘White Noise’
Schools are very busy places, with large amounts of information being distributed to staff, students and parents on a daily basis. Important messages can easily get lost, with parents tuning out and missing the relevant information that is important to them.
So, what are some of the ways in which schools are using technology to improve communication and enhance parental engagement?
The most effective way to combat this common occurrence is through targeted communication. This ensures information is sent to the relevant audience, so the people you want to see the message can easily find it and read it, when they need it.
With targeted communication, parents can receive only the information that is relevant to them, increasing their overall engagement in their child’s learning.
Every parent wants to be an active participant in their child’s learning journey. Selecting the right software can go a huge way towards helping schools keep their parents informed, connected, and engaged.
To find out how your school can achieve a greater level of connection and engagement across the whole school community, reach out to the team at Schoolbox
About The Author:
Duane Cox, Head of Education & Innovation, Schoolbox
With an extensive background in teaching and two Masters degrees in Teaching and Educational Management from the University of Melbourne, Duane is right at home in his role as Head of Education and Innovation here at Schoolbox. Before joining the Schoolbox team, Duane taught IT, biology, and mathematics at a number of schools where he gained plenty of hands-on teaching experience.
He is motivated to improve the student learning experience through the successful implementation of new systems in schools and to help shape the future of education.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duane-cox-6a694a154/
Twitter: @duanecox_ed