Week 5 essential question
In order to get the data, I need to
complete this research project I will first need to pick what type of
communication app I am going to use. There is a teacher I worked with
previously who exclusively uses Remind, and even gave a presentation on her experience
with the app in front of the entire school board at the beginning of the year.
I think I would like to use Remind because I can speak to her to see if any of
the data she has collected would add value to my project.
Data collection for this research
project may look different from others in this class because I am focusing on a
less tangible object like increasing math scores. I am working to see if the
Remind app helps increase parent-teacher communication and parent involvement in
the classroom. There may be many reasons my results may be not accurate. Some
adults may not get a message to volunteer because they are sick or work during
that time and so regardless of the use of the app they would not be able to volunteer
regardless.
To collect data my plan is to take
a base line measurement of how the families respond to paper handouts for
delivering information or a sign up for a fieldtrip or to volunteer. I would then see if that number increases,
decreased, or stayed the same with the use of Remind. It will be hard for me to
take into account the many different life situations each students families
experience, but I will do my best to take this into consideration.
To measure parent- teacher
communication I would like to compare the responses to a question when it is
delivered to parents via paper for the students to come home or sent out as an
alert on the Remind app.
A problem I can see happening is
facing the challenge of getting my students families signed up for the app for
the first time. This is the most important aspect of my project because without
family participation the research may not be accurate. Some parents may be
resistant because they are not familiar with using smart phone or applications
on phones. Some may not want to be distracted with getting alerts from their child’s
teacher on their phone. Some may also not want to learn a new piece of
technology. These are all problems I can potential face regarding getting
parents to sign up to use the app.
Using an app, or any software that someone else has used is a huge benefit. Good job for choosing an app someone else knows about. I still think anything that will increase parent/teacher communication is a great thing. I suppose I'm very egocentric for thinking only about increasing math scores or achievement! I do know that after teaching for over 20 years, getting 100% or close to 100% participation is difficult. I know that statistically, when there is a choice to participate in something like a survey, you are lucky to have 30% participation. I know that sounds dismal, but any data is better than no data! Good luck with your endeavors and don't give up. :-)
ReplyDeleteOne suggestion I may have for you to increase your data collection is by reaching out to staff in our district. I know there are TONS of teachers using Remind, and you could probably get great data from them by asking if they have seen an increase in parent-teacher communication and parent involvement.
ReplyDeleteErika,
ReplyDeleteAs a parent, I have used the Remind app for a few years now. The connection feature between the teacher and parent is great. I love that both my husband and I get the updates. The layout is very easy to use. I think your project will go great.
Josie
It is great to see that you will be using the Remind app to increase parent communication and participation in the class. I found that making the parents understand that this is just another way to communicate that is easiest or preferable to you then parents are more willing to sign up. I use the app for students and I test about once every three weeks if students are actually paying attention to it. I have a message and then at the end I ask for all to respond with a word or an emoji. This gives me an idea of who exactly is not either getting the messages or that I need to make sure to touch basis with to get the information if they didn't respond.
ReplyDeleteThis should be helpful. It might suggest parents are more interested in what is going on at school and this might be a step in getting more information to them. Using something others are using might be a definite advantage, not to mention that those using it might like to see what you find out.
ReplyDelete