In today’s world, digital technology is now providing a growing selection of means for teachers and school administrators to reach parents anywhere and anytime – similar to ways how teachers use technology to engage students with daily agenda.

Almost everything can be done with a few clicks on the computer. All you need is an internet connection to connect with everyone. From your close friends to the celebrities you follow, you’ll get instant information or updates on your screen.

See Also: 10 Real-World Ways Schools Are Using Social Media

The Current State Of Communication

With Twitter, Facebook, and Google Plus, school leaders are able to send messages to give parents instantaneous updates, news, or information regarding their children’s activities. Parents can also access Web portals where they can see their children’s grades or events to see the how the latter is performing. Some parents still opt to connect with their children’s education environment, others still don’t.

It’s a helpful technology for parents, school leaders, and even students. Teachers can inform parents of their school’s daily activities and their children’s daily performance. Parents can teach their children about the school’s activities if they have homework or school projects that require assistance. And students will be able to improve their learning experience as they involve their parents in their school environment.

For school leaders, it’s a cost-effective way to connect with parents. It’s also a way to save more time and effort in contacting them. In case of language barriers for parents who are of different nationality, there are easy translation services online.

Schools are now presenting a menu of offerings for parents of all walks of life. They can choose from different options on how to reach them. Parents are also given levels of access so that they can familiarize themselves with digital technology and the school’s web portals.

Real-World Examples

Here’s a list that shows schools using social networks to contact parents of students:

Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
The Science Leadership Academy keeps everyone informed on Twitter. School news, updates, events, and guest speaker information with pictures are posted daily by teachers in the main account (@SLAnews). Their campus also has their account (@SLAMedia) which is also very informative and communicative with school leaders, teachers, and students of the school.

Piedmont High School in Piedmont, California:
The Principal Richard Kitchens (@piedmonthigh) uses Twitter to help students and co-school leaders reach the school’s goal to “Achieve the Honorable.” The school puts an emphasis in helping students and giving them ways to improve one another. Parents can follow the principal on Twitter to keep updated on school events. Even the students can benefit by voicing their thoughts with direct messages and responding to the principal’s mentions.

New Milford High School in New Milford, New Jersey:
In this school, the principal Eric Sheninger (@NMHS_Principal) updates the Twitter account daily. He’s also featured in an article in USAToday about using social media in school. With more than 20,000 followers, he gives updates using the most popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube. To engage students, the school encourages them to take out their “mobile learning devices” to answer school related questions and participate in school activities.

About the Author
Reese Jones is a tech and gadget lover, a die-hard fan of iOS and console games. She started her writing venture recently and writes about everything from quick tech tips, to mobile-specific news from the likes of O2, to tech-related DIY.