Communication with Parents

Technology integration into the classroom is inevitable. Blackboard accounts is a new tool that is being introduced to parents of students in K12 education. With this tool, students can track their child‘s progress in individual classes and look over work that they complete every day. The advantage of this program is that parents can always be notified when their child may need additional assistance or extra help from their parents. As a future parent, this tool would be extremely useful for me. Knowing the topics that  my child is covering in school allows me to know exactly what to discuss with him or her at the dinner table or in the car. I can debrief the child and motivate him or her to want to dig deeper. Also, If I see that my child made a bad grade on an assignment, I can notify the teacher immediately and ask how I can help my child at home. As a teacher, I would love this program because it would allow me to transfer the material and information to the students in a fun way. It‘s a win-win situation! Also, I could notify parents regarding any educational or behavioral concerns. I see some cons to this program as well. We can not assume that all parents of all the students own a computer, so teachers could not rely on this program soley to inform all of the parents. Some parents would be at a disadvantage while others at a complete advantage. 

Facebook is also a tool that could be used as a means to get in contact with parents. Over 200 million people are registered with facebook. Facebook can be used for anything involved with communication. I would use facebook like Blackboard to notify parents. Most people who have facebook log in at least once a day. Not only will they check their notifications but will be updated on their student‘s activities and homework. Again, facebook can only do so much, and it has its faults. Also many parents are not as technologically advanced or do not own computers.

Programs such as Blackboard or social media sites will be integrated into school systems in the future. As time goes on, I think these programs will become important. But for now, the American school system is in an a position where they must learn how to follow the technological surge and integrate it into their systems.