Communication between parents and teachers is a key component in enhancing the learning process. When parents and teachers are in communication, they can be aware of the child's achievements, potential behavioral problems, health issues, and much more.
Unfortunately, even the best-intentioned students forget to convey some information to their parents. Or they may have difficulty remembering it correctly, which means that parents end up receiving inaccurate messages. Sometimes, poor communication also means that children miss out on opportunities. For example, parents may have to pay a certain amount of money, on a certain date, for a school field trip. Or a football coach may require parents to submit their children to certain tests to confirm that they are fit to play the sport.
This element of the educational process is vital. Parent-teacher communication apps help in all of these situations and many more. Here are a few that you might be interested in.
Free apps
Talking Points
Talking Points is a communication app that aims to end language barriers between parents and teachers. These barriers can stifle efforts to communicate and ask questions. Teachers can enter messages in English and let the app translate them into dozens of languages. Non-English-speaking recipients can then respond in their native language.
The app offers text-like features. Teachers don’t need to resort to Google Translate or other methods. Although this app is free, it also has some features that you have to pay for. (Available for iOS and Android)
Bloomz
Bloomz is a multi-functional messaging app that allows teachers to keep parents updated on what’s going on in the classroom or send them reminders about things they need to do. There’s also a “behavior tracking” section as well as the ability for teachers to show assignments that are being done during the school day. Also, when teachers message parents, they don’t have to reveal personal information, such as email addresses.
This app provides basic functionality for free, but there are in-app purchases available. (Available for iOS and Android)
Remind
Like the Talking Points app, Remind allows teachers to translate messages into dozens of languages. However, it goes a step further by allowing you to send PDFs, photos, and voice messages. With this app, you can send messages to individuals or groups. The latter option could be useful for situations where a teacher wants to give an update on the entire class. One downside associated with Remind is that it offers one-way communication—parents can’t reply to messages. (Available for iOS and Android)
Paid applications
ParentSquare
ParentSquare provides a secure way for parents and teachers to talk to each other about school happenings. Teachers can share events or calendar files, as well as engage in private conversations with their students' parents. There is also a parent directory that allows people to have their details either visible or hidden. It could help adults connect with each other and collectively advance the learning process in a school.
Free trial and paid options available after registration for product demos. Apps are free to download. (Available for iOS and Android)
Additio EdVoice
This app is not exclusively aimed at parents and teachers, but many of its features are aimed at these groups. Messages are transferred to phones that have the app installed.
EdVoice pushes messages in real time. Messages can be sent to an entire district or school, or to individual classes. Pricing information is provided when users request app demos. (Available for iOS and Android, under the name Additio)
SchoolMessenger
SchoolMessenger is more than just a messaging app for parents and teachers to share information. It also has a selection of “extras,” such as notifications that the child has arrived at school safely. In addition, the app stores various types of information about students, giving parents the ability to access it. (Available for iOS and Android)
Technology makes parent-teacher communication smoother than ever.
These applications mark the end of lost notes written on paper and allow for more clarification between teacher, child, and parents.
