Communications

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.