School-home communication apps/sites

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that having an app-only communication mechanism misses an entire section of the population. Some classrooms at our school used the Bloomz app, and over half of the class never checked it (or probably downloaded the app). I'm a huge fan of electronic communication, but I think we should stick to email until everyone is really using nothing but applications on smartphones. We aren't there yet. Plus, there are a lot of grandparents that take care of kids at our school, so I'm pretty sure that most (not all) don't really use a smart phone either.

I'd stick to emails (from teachers, other parents and administration) plus robo calls/texts for emergencies (school closings). They also need to do some paper flyers and posters to get messages across. I'm super organized and I forgot some things this year as well!

Bloomz also has a web interface and notifications such that it is possible to receive an email whenever a message is sent. In my kid's class that used Bloomz, I actually found it easier to use the app than to keep track of email, and it seems like many/most parents in our class were able to make it work. I do think schools should provide regular tech support to families when they are using new apps or new communications technology to help people figure it out, butt I thought that having one place for school communications was really, really useful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think that having an app-only communication mechanism misses an entire section of the population. Some classrooms at our school used the Bloomz app, and over half of the class never checked it (or probably downloaded the app). I'm a huge fan of electronic communication, but I think we should stick to email until everyone is really using nothing but applications on smartphones. We aren't there yet. Plus, there are a lot of grandparents that take care of kids at our school, so I'm pretty sure that most (not all) don't really use a smart phone either.

I'd stick to emails (from teachers, other parents and administration) plus robo calls/texts for emergencies (school closings). They also need to do some paper flyers and posters to get messages across. I'm super organized and I forgot some things this year as well!

Bloomz also has a web interface and notifications such that it is possible to receive an email whenever a message is sent. In my kid's class that used Bloomz, I actually found it easier to use the app than to keep track of email, and it seems like many/most parents in our class were able to make it work. I do think schools should provide regular tech support to families when they are using new apps or new communications technology to help people figure it out, butt I thought that having one place for school communications was really, really useful.

Most isn't all. Until then you need to provide things in paper too.[u] And translate it for goodness sakes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that having an app-only communication mechanism misses an entire section of the population. Some classrooms at our school used the Bloomz app, and over half of the class never checked it (or probably downloaded the app). I'm a huge fan of electronic communication, but I think we should stick to email until everyone is really using nothing but applications on smartphones. We aren't there yet. Plus, there are a lot of grandparents that take care of kids at our school, so I'm pretty sure that most (not all) don't really use a smart phone either.

I'd stick to emails (from teachers, other parents and administration) plus robo calls/texts for emergencies (school closings). They also need to do some paper flyers and posters to get messages across. I'm super organized and I forgot some things this year as well!

Bloomz does send an email.