How can you use digital tools to engage students at home?

1 Choose the right platform

The first step to use digital tools effectively is to choose the right platform for your communication needs. Depending on your goals, you might want to use different platforms for different purposes, such as email, messaging apps, video conferencing, blogs, or social media. For example, you might use email to send newsletters and updates, messaging apps to chat with parents and students, video conferencing to hold live classes and meetings, blogs to showcase student work and feedback, and social media to share resources and tips. Make sure you use platforms that are accessible, secure, and user-friendly for both you and your audience.

3 Use multimedia and interactive features

The third step to use digital tools creatively is to use multimedia and interactive features to enhance your communication and engagement. This means you can use images, videos, audio, animations, quizzes, polls, games, and other elements to make your communication more appealing, informative, and fun. For example, you might use images and videos to illustrate concepts, audio to record feedback or instructions, animations to show progress or achievements, quizzes to test knowledge or comprehension, polls to gather opinions or feedback, games to reinforce skills or concepts, and so on. By using multimedia and interactive features, you can capture attention, stimulate interest, and promote learning.

4 Encourage collaboration and participation

The fourth step to use digital tools effectively is to encourage collaboration and participation among your students and their parents. This means you can use digital tools to create opportunities for your students and their parents to work together, share ideas, ask questions, give feedback, and support each other. For example, you might use digital tools to create online groups or forums, assign collaborative projects or tasks, facilitate peer review or mentoring, solicit suggestions or comments, or celebrate successes or achievements. By encouraging collaboration and participation, you can foster a sense of community, belonging, and accountability.

5 Personalize and differentiate your communication

The fifth step to use digital tools successfully is to personalize and differentiate your communication according to the needs, preferences, and abilities of your students and their parents. This means you can use digital tools to tailor your communication to suit the individual characteristics and goals of your audience. For example, you might use digital tools to segment your audience into groups or categories, customize your messages or content, offer choices or options, provide scaffolding or support, or adjust the level or pace of your communication. By personalizing and differentiating your communication, you can respect diversity, enhance relevance, and improve outcomes.

6 Monitor and evaluate your communication

The sixth and final step to use digital tools effectively is to monitor and evaluate your communication and its impact on your students and their parents. This means you can use digital tools to collect data, feedback, and evidence on your communication processes and results. For example, you might use digital tools to track metrics or indicators, conduct surveys or interviews, analyze responses or behaviors, or document achievements or challenges. By monitoring and evaluating your communication, you can identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and make adjustments or improvements accordingly.

7 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?