TalkingPoints is an innovative app designed to facilitate communication between teachers and non-English speaking family members. One of its standout features is the automatic two-way translation, which allows for seamless interaction regardless of the language spoken at home. This ensures that all families can stay informed and engaged with their children's education, breaking down language barriers that often prevent effective communication.
The app provides teachers with the ability to quickly send messages to individual family members, groups, or an entire class, making it easy to share important updates or reminders. Notably, TalkingPoints protects the privacy of teachers by allowing them to send text messages without revealing their personal cell phone numbers. This added layer of anonymity encourages teachers to communicate openly and frequently with families.
Aside from text communication, TalkingPoints allows teachers to enhance their messages by attaching pictures, videos, polls, and files. This feature enables educators to showcase what students are learning in real-time, creating a more engaging and interactive experience for families. Additionally, teachers can preschedule messages to be sent out at times that are convenient for families, ensuring that important information reaches parents when they are most likely to see it.
TalkingPoints is completely free for teachers in the United States, making it an accessible resource for educators looking to improve their communication with families. The app is praised for its user-friendly nature, as highlighted by Ms. Cardenas, an ESL teacher who uses it daily. Teachers interested in enhancing their engagement with students' families can sign up today and start benefiting from this powerful communication tool.