ClassTag Adds Virtual Parent Teacher Conferencing
- By Dian Schaffhauser
- 10/06/20
A
free education technology program that facilitates parent-teacher
communication has begun promoting its use as an on-demand virtual
parent-teacher conference tool. ClassTag,
which announced its software integration with Google for Education
services during the summer, said the program would now allow
educators and families sync through Google
Meet
to have online meetings and events. Scheduling can be done through
Google
Calendar,
which will automatically generate a link for the event. Translation
of messaging can be done through Google
Translate.
According
to the company, teachers and administrators can also integrate with
their Google Drive account to share documents, photos and
presentations with parents; sync events to their Google Calendar; and
upload videos directly from YouTube. ClassTag users will also be able
to access a feature called "Student Backpacks" which allows
teachers to transport and store status reports and other information
on each student.
Other
new features include single-sign-on with Google through ClassTag and
an opportunity to link to Google Classroom as a "quick link"
inside the program for simpler access.
"Our
main function at ClassTag is to give parents and teachers a platform
to successfully connect," said Vlada Lotkina, CEO and
co-founder, in a press release. "By becoming a Google for
Education partner, we're able to help our users create, collaborate
and build digital skills for the future. The new capabilities,
specifically virtual parent teacher conferences, will be
game-changing for parents and teachers alike to remain connected,
even when they can't physically interface."
To
keep its communication service free, ClassTag teams up with sponsors
(including Amazon, HP, Clorox and Nickelodeon) that want to connect
with parents. The company rewards teachers that promote the service
to their families by donating money for class materials. In return,
the parents receive promotions about sponsors' products and services.
About the Author
Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.