Communication may be the most important aspect of education. It is what allows us to share with our students, learn from them, connect with parents, and collaborate with our peers. I have found that I employ different types of communication for different groups.
With my students, I use lots of visuals. This year, my district started using Schoology as a Learning Management System and it has an Announcement tool. Though you can type in word-only announcements, I like to make graphics with my Bitmoji and checklists. I use Google Drawings and the Bitmoji Chrome extension to quickly create my images. In the Multimedia Writing & Design Support page of Brandman’s website, Canva, Lucidchart, and Piktochart are given as websites to create graphics. I have used Canva before and also shared it with my students because it is a great tool for creating clean graphics. The reason I tend to use Google Drawings instead is because it gives me more freedom and is quicker to use.
Below I have included one of my most recent announcement graphics:
A tool that I have recently started using for communication purposes is WeVideo. My school bought a subscription this year which allows the recording and editing of videos. At the beginning of the pandemic, I started using tools such as Screencastify to make screencasts for my students. I have switched to using WeVideo because the editing tools allow me to do more to communicate better with my students.
My preferred method of contacting parents is through email or other messaging platforms such as ClassDojo or Remind. This allows me to think about how best to communicate and also has the added benefit of being able to include links, pictures, and even videos to explain things. For example, I have sent many emails this year to parents with screenshots showing how to view their students’ assignments. My introverted nature means that I would rather use text forms of communication than calling parents because it gives me ample time to decide how best to respond.
I use many methods of communication with my colleagues depending on the situation. I like to talk in person with my department because it allows us to bounce ideas off of each other. Sometimes I will text my peers when I have a quick question or something short to say. If I have to communicate a more lengthy or complicated idea, I turn to email.
One tool I have not used is Prezi. I am hesitant to use Prezi because it feels too busy. I enjoy art and graphic design and know that there must be a balance between form and function. I like to make my Google Slides interesting, but not so plastered with graphics and different fonts that the main idea is lost. To me, Prezi feels like a tool where it would be too easy to have the graphics and animations overpower the material.
In Dr. Greene’s presentation, I found a link to Kathy Schrock’s Twitter for Teachers webpage. I first joined Twitter at a SLOCUE conference in October of 2013.
Well, it looks like I'm finally joining Twitter! Inspired by all the teachers I've met since starting my SS credential. #slocue #ed412
— Anne Welker (@AnneAWelker) October 6, 2013
Though I have heard that Twitter is a great place for teachers to learn, share, and communicate, I have never been able to stick with it. I want to utilize Twitter more in my quest to become a better teacher and leader. I Tweeted my first post in about six months this morning. Follow me HERE if you want to join me in using Twitter to grow.
https://t.co/MtdYVeu8LH
— Anne Welker (@AnneAWelker) May 15, 2021
Finished The Extraordinaries by T.J. Klune this morning and I think I found a new favorite! I laughed and cried and loved all the characters.
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