Skill: Communicate 1.1.1 – Definitions of Communication Quest

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•                How have your individual communication skills changed as with the innovations in technology?
•                How have advancements in technology altered classroom communication? Will these change further?

                 

Communication is a skill that needs to be constantly practiced and developed. I have been developing and practicing this skill over the past 18 years of teaching and there have been dramatic changes due to technology. When I first started teaching, my communication with parents and students outside the actually classroom was confined to a newsletter every month (that was copied and sent home) and phone calls. As technology has advanced, emails, class websites, LMS, smart phones have allowed me to be able to communicate with all stakeholders when needed. 

EMAIL: I like having my various email accounts funneled onto my smart phone. I have specific times during the day that I check various accounts. This way I ca use my time wisely but also limit my time on devices.

TEXTING: I have given out my cell phone number out to students (both to my face to face and virtual students) for over ten years. I know what it is like to be frustrated because you don’t understand something and you just need to ask a question. Often that communication is simple and can be handled in a text. This technology has saved lots of valuable time that used to be used playing ‘phone  tag.’ Students and parents can shoot me a text and when I can answer I can respond. This helps all stakeholders with time, frustration, and ease if communication.

REMIND: Along with texting I use remind.com. This is a great way to communicate with large groups of people. I use this for my classroom, my student organizations (like SGA), and groups of friends. As long as they are signed up they get my 'reminds'

Over time our students even in traditional classrooms will have less and less face time with teachers and more interaction with technology. As long as students are getting their needs met, and teachers are able to monitor, provide feedback, and assess student I think online learning will continue to grow. That growth will drive the development of new technology and communication.