Connecting with Families (Seesaw and Schoology)

Connecting with Families

Last week's tech tip was about leveraging technology to build relationships with your
learners. You can also use technology to connect with their families. 

As you integrate Seesaw (E-2) or Schoology (3-12) into your classroom, it's a great opportunity to rethink how you communicate with parents. Instead of emailing updates or sending home traditional print newsletters, these tools allow you to provide more
frequent, timely and multimedia rich information about what is happening in your
classroom. Many parents like to see the work their child submits digitally and the
feedback you provide. If parents install the apps, they can receive updates and
messages right on their phones. 

Seesaw and Schoology provide powerful communication opportunities for you, your
learners and their families.  Below are some resources to help you connect digitally
with your families.

Seesaw (E-2)

• Turn on Family Access and Send Invite  
• Send home Family App directions: IOS | Android  
• Introduce yourself 
• Post a Welcome Families Collage
• Post a Video Introducing Yourself
• Send home a Welcome Announcement. 
• Include directions for how families can message you.
• Reminder: Seesaw translates into 55 languages.
• Here's how to see which families are connected to their child's account

Schoology (3-12)

• Use Campus Messenger to send home these helpful links for parents:
• Setting up Parent Account: handout or video. 
• For the 2019-20 school year, this is a NEW login process
  that ALL PARENTS (both new and returning parents)
  need to complete
• This new process eliminates need for parents to look up
  Schoology access codes in Campus. 
• Installing and Accessing Schoology Parent Mobile App
• Using the Schoology Parent Homepage
• Setting up Email Digest & Overdue Notifications
• Post content in your course for both your learners and their families
• Post Updates 
• Create Calendar Events
• Embed a Google Slide (change access settings to public)
• Add Links to a Google Docs (change access settings to public)
• Upload student work (assignments, assessments, etc.)
• ALL parents are automatically connected this year. You can see these
  connections under Members.