Beginning-of-the-year Student Surveys

Last year, I ditched the idea of having students fill out an “about me” notecard with interests and contact information. Instead, I had them fill out a Google Form I made available online via my class website. It worked really well, keeping the information organized and easy to look up. 

I’m going to create my surveys for this year soon and I’m brainstorming new questions to add. I’m thinking of adding a question about cell phones and texting plans so I can think of the feasibility of using a service like Poll Everywhere in my classroom. 

What are your favorite questions to ask in the beginning of the year student surveys?

24 August 66 Permalink

Using Google Voice to contact parents

Note:  I originally posted this in early October, when I first started using Google Voice to contact parents. Today was my self-deemed parent phone call day after school, and again I turned to Google Voice. It’s helped me immensely throughout the year, and I still recommend it to teachers looking for a good way to contact parents outside of school.

Google Voice is a free service that allows you to sign up for a phone number and make phone calls either through your computer or through your cell/home phone (but the Google Voice number is the one that appears on the receiver’s caller ID).

Why did I think Google Voice would be a useful tool for me? For calling parents.

Here are common issues I stumble upon when calling parents:

• I call from the school phone, which means I am at school. They are not available to talk during school hours.
• They have blocked the school phone number.
• I call from my cell phone in the evening, but block the number (since I don’t want them to have my personal number). They have blocked numbers blocked or don’t pick up for blocked numbers.
• The only number I have to give them in voicemails is the school number with my extension.
• I forget to check my school voicemail.

Here is how Google Voice has solved these problems:

• I can now call parents at times that they may be able to talk without blocking my number.
• They probably haven’t blocked my Google Voice number.
• I can give them a phone number to call back and it will actually reach me (it calls my cell phone and gives me the option to pick up the call or send them to voicemail). If they leave me a voicemail, it is accessible to me and I will check it.
• It is not my personal phone number.

Google has informative videos to check out that shows you how to use Google Voice. I have also made calls from my computer (you will have to download a plugin and have a microphone/speakers to do this) in order to not eat up my cell phone minutes.

I DEFINITELY tested Google Voice before using it with parents, and when you call with it using your cell phone, it does show your Google Voice number. You just have to place the call from your computer. Google Voice will call you and connect you to the number you are calling.

Edit to add: Thanks eggmanandpie and sanityscraps for remembering to point out that Google Voice is only available in the US. Sorry everyone else :(

21 April 50 Permalink