Communicate 3.2.1 – The Newsletter Quest

As I have stated numerous times, communication is the most valuable part of a learning community. All stakeholders must work together to communicate effectively in order to maximize the instructional platform. In my opinion, the top three ways to communicate with stakeholders are through phone calls, emails, and newsletters.

A telephone call can work wonders in today's digital world. People are so accustomed to impersonal modes of communication, such as a text message or an email. Though these modes of communication can be very valuable, it is easy to misunderstand or misinterpret the tone of written expression. A phone call allows the parent (or other stakeholder) to hear your tone of voice, helping them to better understand the message you are trying to convey.

Email is the quickest, easiest way to send a short, simple update. Whether you are passing along a class announcement or sending a grade report, emailing may be the most effective way to communicate with stakeholders. However, one must keep in mind that emails are open records, so all important information needs to be kept in the appropriate location to protect themselves from violating FERPA. Additionally, all mass emails must be sent to BCC contacts in order to keep email addresses private.

The last type of communication that I find to be valuable is the newsletter. Newsletters are cute, fun, and simple ways of keeping all stakeholders up-to-date on the comings and goings of the class. Here is a link to the newsletter I created using Smore. It was super easy, quick, and FREE!