“Parental engagement is a powerful lever for raising achievement in schools. Where parents and schools work together to improve learning, the gains in achievement are significant.” Professor Alma Harris - Engaging Parents in Raising Achievement
Niel McLean, Executive Director, Becta, the government agency for technology in education discusses how technology supports a new relationship with schools.
“...The school website is an absolute life line...as well as feeling satisfied I know what’s going on with my child at school, it also starts conversations with the teacher.” Parent, Balsall Common Primary School, Coventry
Despite the number of communication channels available - from parents evenings to emails, after-school meetings to online reporting and learning platforms - Becta’s research shows that the majority of parents are not in frequent contact with their child’s school.
“We use technology to keep an open dialogue with parents – from online reporting, learning platforms or emails, we’re able to give parents regular updates on how their child is doing” Anne Garner - Head teacher, Church Aston Infants in Newport, Shropshire
How can technology improve communication between parents and teachers?
With such a variety of communication tools, it is important that schools provide the proper support and training to ensure that what is communicated is timely and meaningful rather than just ‘getting in touch’ or sharing of data. The partnership between parents and schools means that parents have access to information and advice from a variety of sources which helps them support the development and well-being of their child. By keeping parents informed on their child’s progress, communication can be more focused, having more impact and positively benefiting the child.
Becta's Niel McLean, a former teacher and parent of two children, offers his advice on how technology can be used to help facilitate regular contact between school and parent....