How do you prioritize communication tasks as a teacher?

1 Know your purpose

Before you start any communication task, ask yourself: what is the purpose of this message? Is it to inform, persuade, remind, request, or praise? Depending on your purpose, you may need to adjust your tone, format, and content. For example, if you want to inform parents about an upcoming field trip, you may use a simple email or a newsletter. But if you want to persuade them to volunteer for the trip, you may need to use a more personal and persuasive approach, such as a phone call or a video message.

2 Know your audience

Another factor to consider when prioritizing communication tasks is your audience. Who are you communicating with, and what are their needs, preferences, and expectations? Different audiences may require different communication platforms and tools. For example, some parents may prefer to receive text messages or use apps like Remind or ClassDojo, while others may prefer emails or phone calls. Some students may respond better to video lessons or podcasts, while others may prefer written assignments or interactive quizzes. You need to know your audience and tailor your communication methods accordingly.

3 Know your urgency

A third aspect to think about when prioritizing communication tasks is the urgency of the message. How time-sensitive is the information, and how soon do you need a response? Urgent messages may include emergencies, cancellations, changes, or deadlines. These messages should be communicated as soon as possible, using the most direct and reliable platform or tool. For example, if you need to cancel a class due to a snowstorm, you may use a phone call, a text message, or an app notification. Non-urgent messages may include updates, reminders, feedback, or praise. These messages can be communicated at a more convenient time, using a less intrusive platform or tool. For example, if you want to give feedback on a student's project, you may use an email, a video comment, or a rubric.

4 Know your frequency

A fourth element to weigh when prioritizing communication tasks is the frequency of the message. How often do you need to communicate with your audience, and how much information do you need to share? Frequency may depend on the purpose, the audience, and the urgency of the message, as well as the expectations and policies of your school or district. For example, you may need to communicate with parents more frequently at the beginning of the school year, during parent-teacher conferences, or when there are issues or concerns. You may also need to communicate with students more frequently when they are learning remotely, when they have assignments or assessments, or when they need support or guidance. You need to balance the frequency of your communication with the quality and relevance of your message, and avoid overloading or overwhelming your audience.

5 Know your tools

A final factor to evaluate when prioritizing communication tasks is the tools that you use. There are many communication platforms and tools available for teachers, such as email, phone, text, video, social media, websites, blogs, newsletters, apps, and more. Each tool has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you need to choose the ones that suit your purpose, audience, urgency, and frequency. You also need to consider the accessibility, security, and privacy of the tools, and make sure that you have the necessary skills and resources to use them effectively. You may also want to use a combination of tools to reach different audiences or achieve different goals.

Communication is a key component of teaching, and it can be challenging to prioritize communication tasks as a teacher. However, by knowing your purpose, audience, urgency, frequency, and tools, you can plan and execute your communication tasks more efficiently and effectively. You can also improve your parent-teacher communication skills and build stronger relationships with your students, parents, and colleagues.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?