#DITCHbook was created by Ditch That Textbook author Matt Miller. The chat focuses on innovative teaching ideas and disrupting standard textbook education.
Welcome to the #ditchbook chat! I'm your moderator this evening, along with @herrplatt! Thank you for joining us! Please share your name, role, and where you are ditching from.
#ditchbook A1 I've found over the years that more communication is better! They can always delete you but they can't say you weren't informative. I think it puts out "fires" before they can start!
A1: I think recognizing that learning should involve the whole student is very important. Parents can really help encourage learning outside of the classroom contributing to that. #ditchbook
a1. This is the key to relationship building. I tell my teachers, relationships are like 4 wheel drive. You better have it before you need it.
#DitchBook
#ditchbook A1: The benefits is strong education for students by parent teacher partnership! It makes education meaningful and purposeful for all parties involved.
A1: communication with parents and families is a big part Danielson Domain 4; it is crucial that this is maintained. If parents aren't involved, there's no motivation from home! #ditchbook
A1: oh my word so important!! Parents want to know how their kids are doing. They want to be involved with the homework and what their child is doing 📚 #ditchbook#conversechat
A1: Creating a strong teacher-parent communication will definitely benefit the student. Relationships are key! Work at starting an open & positive communication line right away
#ditchbook
A1 Strong communication means productive conversations rather than negative confrontations. All for discussion is geared towards helping the student, not winning a battle! #ditchbook
A2: Time can be a barrier. A bigger barrier tends to be miscommunication or lack of understanding. Ts need to understand where the parent is coming from before trying to move forward. #ditchbook
A2- One barrier- Having a fixed mindset on how this communication takes place. The Friday folder isn't enough to have continuous effective connectedness. We need blogs, social media, ...what else? #ditchbook
A1 Strong communication means productive conversations rather than negative confrontations. All for discussion is geared towards helping the student, not winning a battle! #ditchbook
#ditchbook You'll find some years you feel like your communication goes into a deep, dark, black hole but at least you are sending it. Prevents "I didn't knows" and "you didn't tell me's"
A2: biggest one on my campus is language barriers, thankfully we have many Ts, admin, and secretaries that speak Spanish fluently and are happy to translate #DitchBook
A2: Because more and more mothers are becoming full time employees, its getting increasingly difficult to get them into the classroom. Technological integration is the perfect way to get parents involved and engaged in the classroom #ditchbook
A1: Having those positive relationships and open communication with parents aids in helping the student get the best education possible. By keeping the parents informed, the T is able to make sure the learning continues outside of school #ditchbook
#ditchbook A2: hard to reach; no numbers or emails working, no interest. Start off with strong communication by introducing yourself. Then contact via all avenues with positives: phone, email, face to face, social media, text, class dojo, etc!
A2: Sometimes language can be a barrier; I've seen parents that are not involved b/c of this; we must find ways to push through it, no matter the circumstance. If parents see you trying, they'll put in the effort too! There are tons of language tech tools out there too #DitchBook
a2. There is a natural tendency for us to be hesitant to reach out to parents, especially when the conversation may be difficult. This is why the first contact should be a positive one. Break the ice the right way.
#ditchbook
#ditchbook A2: hard to reach; no numbers or emails working, no interest. Start off with strong communication by introducing yourself. Then contact via all avenues with positives: phone, email, face to face, social media, text, class dojo, etc!
#ditchbook One barrier can be the way email is taken. Sometimes it's better to pick up the phone. Read your parents and your class. You start to learn when it's best to call and when an email will suffice!
A2. We need to make sure we are taking the time to communicate with our families in the manner in which they prefer to receive the information. #ditchbook
A2: Time. I think calls are almost always more effective/meaningful than an email. Emails/texts are easier to misinterpret, especially when subject is difficult to discuss. Maybe try to start with positive phone call to all parents at beginning of year?
#ditchbook
Friendly devils advocate- that then means they have to take more time out of their already busy schedule to come to a conference. Solutions? #DitchBook
A2: Barriers to P-T communication: Apprehension/prior experience. Solution: Ask "What can I do for you" rather than "Here's what you can do for me."#ditchbook
A2: Some barrier we face are language barriers and the fact that many parents are working and can’t come into school. I keep parents involved through tech integration #ditchbook
A2: Lack of technology, lack of desire, fear of openness and change. DITCH it? Make ourselves open and transparent, available to parents. Tech allows this with tools like Hangouts and tools like @classdojo@RemindHQ@seesaw#ditchbook
In reply to
@emosier3, @ClassDojo, @RemindHQ, @Seesaw
A2 The biggest problem is only “communicating” the negatives. The lines of communication always be open. Share about what you’re doing in class, make positive phone calls, etc. It’ll turn confrontation to productive conversations. #ditchbook
A2 School experiences from a parents’ past colors how comfortable they feel about coming to school or contacting the teacher. @ClassDojo and twitter have been ways to take the classroom to parents. #ditchbook
A2: I think the method in which one chooses to communicate with parents. Teachers should take into consideration the demographics and culture of the school community when deciding how and when to communicate with parents. #Ditchbook
A2b As a parent, I'm willing to listen to a negative when I know you love my child. If we reach out with positives from day 1, we build those essential relationships #ditchbook
Yes indeed. This is a historical problem in which communication is often negative. "Hi, this is ..... I need to talk to you about ..... and that they didn't..... and are not...." #ditchbook
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I think it is important to be proactive rather than reactive with parents. Don't just contact when something is going on. Establish a relationship from the beginning! #ditchbook
A2b As a parent, I'm willing to listen to a negative when I know you love my child. If we reach out with positives from day 1, we build those essential relationships #ditchbook
Thats unfortunately how it already is in many schools. Those that you don't necessarily NEED to see will make every effort to come. Those that you really need to see, are "already busy" #DitchBook
A3: There are plenty of digital tools out there allow us teachers to send pictures, videos, comments, and other media directly to parents so that they can see what their children are doing! #DitchBook
A3: There are so many different tech tools out there that involve parents! You just have to look for them, and that is what the internet is for! Everything is super accessible #DitchBook
A3: There are many tools out there to keep things open. A classroom social media Twitter is a great start, other tools: #Gsuite like Sites with a Google Classroom Calendar posted, adding Guardians to classroom, using @ClassDojo@remind and more. #ditchbook
A3: don’t let progress reports and report cards be the only parent communication. Newsletters, emails, social media, etc shows parents what’s happening in the class #DitchBook
A3: Use the huge variety of tools & apps we have available to show parents & get them involved! We have the power at our fingertips! Seesaw? ClassDojo? Google? Remind? it's endless! #ditchbook
A3: Share what's going on in your classroom, allow multiple methods for Ps to contact you outside of school, know what they are comfortable with you sharing about their child. Be proactive in finding their comfort zone of your sharing, and then SHARE. #DitchBook
A3 I loved using modes like Twitter, Remind, and even...email... to communicate the happenings of our class often with parents. We also did a ton on Flipgrid, which I always shared the links with parents. #DitchBook
A3: There are many tools out there to keep things open. A classroom social media Twitter is a great start, other tools: #Gsuite like Sites with a Google Classroom Calendar posted, adding Guardians to classroom, using @ClassDojo@remind and more. #ditchbook
#DitchBook A3: communicate multiple ways with technology to target all families! Tweet! Set up a Class Dojo or SeeSaw account! Start strong and keep rolling with the positive messaging
A3: We can use tech to tell the story of our classroom. Create a class hashtag and tweet out daily updates. Connect Parents to Google Classroom. Send out a class newsletter or class blog. There is so many ways to share and connect parents to the class. #ditchbook
A3: Twitter has become a game changer for my school. In fact I have one small favor, please help my school win a contest by "Liking" the video on this twitter post: https://t.co/zYosMc5gO2…
The most likes on that exact twitter post wins! #DitchBook
A3 I think one important aspect of technology is to consider with parents is practicality. A tool that is accessible and user friendly, that way parents are more likely to take advantage! #ditchbook
a3. I took a chance last year and livestreamed during the first day on our school's fb page. I just went from class to class, showing Ps what was going on with their babies.
It went so well that I did it again this year. It was our most viewed and popular fb post :)
#ditchbook
A3: Twitter has become a game changer for my school. In fact I have one small favor, please help my school win a contest by "Liking" the video on this twitter post: https://t.co/UHzxIMoFAN
The most likes on that exact twitter post wins! #DitchBook
Under the "Students" tab where it lists all of the students enrolled in the class should be an "invite guardians" button next to that student where you can enter their e-mail. #DitchBook
A3: Parents may not be literate on certain types of technologies. We could provide spaces for them to gain the necessary knowledge for transparency. Parent Technolgy Nights, equip students with knowledge to teach their parents, etc. #DitchBook
#ditchbook. A2. Language can be challenge, especially when phone calls are required before emails that could be translated. Even more is parent expectation of a negative call. I start calling all my parents early, when I only have good things to say.
A3 I find in this world of tech, I rarely read the newsletter in my kids' folders (sad!). Why when I can keep up real time with Twitter, GC, Seesaw, blogs, website. #ditchbook How realistic are schools on this requirement for Ts? Curious...
A3: SO much technology and neat apps to make this happen. It’s just a matter of getting the parents to jump on board and be a apart of it. In HS there was a resource to let the parents see my assignments & grades.. can’t remember the name of it now #DitchBook#conversechat
A1: When Teachers communicate well with parents then they can make sure they both are on the same page about the needs for the student and plan the best possible education approaches for that student to help them succeed. #ditchbook
So, on the GC we use at the higher ed level we have only Ss and Ts- there is not other option. I can invite more Ss (I did this for cooperating Ts in student teaching) and more Ts (supervisors)... is there another choice for parents to view without req assignments? #ditchbook
I sadly have to stay away from a lot of things because it violates federal laws and we have an RUP that os forward thinking and protects Ss privacy #ditchbook
A2: A large barrier that would impact communication is time. If a parent or teacher has limited time, they may decide that sending an email or letter is not a top priority, however for that student's education it can really make an impact. #ditchbook
A4. A follow up letter/email/note is a great way to reinforce the positives and outline next-steps that were discussed in the "tough" meeting. #ditchbook
A4: it starts with building a foundation of positive conversations. Hopefully a ‘tough’ conversation isn’t the first contact we’ve had with Ps #DitchBook
A4: start off with a positive about their child and what good they have done, doesn’t have to be all negative air even in those tough convos #Ditchbook#conversechat
Now this is awesome- I don't have this option. I wonder if it's an admin turn on/off thing. We would have not cause to use it at the college level- but HOW COOL to know my Ts will have the option. Thanks friends! #ditchbook
A4: Make sure that you continually follow up with parents on issues to make sure they are understanding everything and if they need further clarification/help. #DitchBook
A4: Always start the conversations with the positives. Then ask the parents if they can help you in supporting their child to be successful. Don’t jump right into the negatives. Get the parents on your team #ditchbook
That's HUGE! Even in general teacher-student communication, starting a student's day off with a positive comment can pay mega dividends as the day progresses! #DitchBook
A4: start off with a positive about their child and what good they have done, doesn’t have to be all negative air even in those tough convos #Ditchbook#conversechat
#Ditchbook A4: share so many positives it cancels out the negatives! I do this by sharing photos, quotes, positive behavior! Then when it comes to negatives I have a strong relationship and always start and end with a positive!
A4 Offer solutions and supports. Here’s the problem, and here’s what my approach will be to help your child move forward. They MUST know you love and care for their child. #ditchbook#KidsDeserveIt
Q4 Although it may not be rocket science, I believe keeping thorough records of student behavior and materials is a very practical way to make tough conversations more objective. #ditchbook
A3 Technology makes it easier to personalize things sent home, messages can be sent home on the spot, communication between parents and teachers gets to happen even faster, and can sometimes happen even throughout the course of a single day #DitchBook
A4 Offer solutions and supports. Here’s the problem, and here’s what my approach will be to help your child move forward. They MUST know you love and care for their child. #ditchbook#KidsDeserveIt
A4: I think it is important to always have record of all of the students learning, progress, assignments, creativity, etc; allows for parents to see facts & know what their kids are learning; can give those difficult convos some ease b/c you have positives & negatives #ditchbook
A4: Besides the good news contacts and the compliment sandwich method, I make sure the parents are aware of the lengths I will go to for their S. I listen, I adjust, & I give kids every opportunity to learn. Parents respect that. #DitchBook
#ditchbook A4 I think it's helpful to let parents start those "tough" conversations. Then you can survey the situation and know how to proceed. Sometimes the way you thought it would go isn't how it's going to go and you can make a new plan based on their reactions
A3: We can communicate through twitter! Also tools such as Bloomz allows parents to be added to a group so that teachers can send out mass emails to all the parents about what their students are doing or other information they may need to know. #ditchbook
I do our social media and website for my school. We have a photo permission form that we have Ps complete. I get to know our “no photo” kids pretty quick! #DitchBook
I think that is a great idea. This shows that you value student voice and gives them a chance to take ownership over their learning experience. #ditchbook
I've done more than a dozen in the 2 years I've been Principal. Everything from basketball games, to plays, to music concerts. So good for grandparents who live out of state :)
#DitchBook
A4: Collaborate with the parent. Both of you hopefully care for the student and you should seek to help parents see you as a teammate in figuring out what is best for their child's education. #DitchBook
It was a feature that was just introduced this calendar year, so probably not many tech directors knew about it or how to turn it on (or off). #DitchBook
A4: Collaborate with the parent. Both of you hopefully care for the student and you should seek to help parents see you as a teammate in figuring out what is best for their child's education. #DitchBook
It is hard though to make sure to avoid those specific kids in videos. Photos aren’t a problem anymore bc of the ability to pop an emoji on photos posted to twitter. #DitchBook
Thank you for joining us for our regular scheduled chat tonight!
However, you may want to stick around for another half hour of BONUS #ditchbook Questions.
