How can technology help you navigate difficult conversations with parents?

Take into account how the parent communicates, not how you communicate. Use the best method of communication for them. Not everyone communicates the same way.

Technology aids tough parent conversations by offering communication channels, resources, and support. It enables comfortable discussions, provides information, connects to support, and helps set boundaries, empowering confident and sensitive conversations.

From the past to the present, writing a letter has been and still is a suitable alternative to participating in difficult conversations, for this reason, the use of technology in difficult conversations with the addition of more practical information such as videos and photos can convey the main purpose more clearly.

The right channel for communication with parents is essential. Some might be reluctant to your favourite one, therefore we must place ourselves as teachers in the safe place of a parent from a technological pov. In addition, the use of emojis must be limited as they are highly interpretable.

O profissional de educação deve usar a plataforma formalmente adotada pela instituição; seja ela email, WhatsApp ou até mesmo, plataformas desenvolvidas pela própria instituição. Assim, a comunicação vira uma ferramenta com responsabilidade nos dois sentidos. Se a comunicação estiver fora do padrão adotado, passa a ser uma comunicação informal, ou seja, sem comprometimento de ambas as partes.

I primarily worked with parents who could not read or write in India but sent their children to English schools. They (the parents) use WhatsApp to communicate through voice notes. One approach that I found useful was to leverage WhatsApp for children and parents and use voice notes. In third-world nations where reading levels are low, leveraging audio-visual forms of communication is best. One can also shoot short video messages if time permits to make announcements to parents. Ensure you communicate in a language that is understood by all stakeholders to minimize the communication gap. Where stakeholders are literate, communicate through documented forms (either official channels established by the school or email).

Dependerá de la facilidad que tengan padres e hijos para el manejo de éstas plataformas y lo cómodos que los dialogantes se sientan con ellas. Las plataformas o apps son aptas para temas concretos e intrascendentes como recordatorios, o novedades. Si se trata de algo personal e íntimo nunca usar las redes sociales. Siempre serán impersonales. Si no es posible el diálogo usad el teléfono o la videollamada.

A tecnologia deve ser um meio para melhorar a sua comunicação com os pais e não um fim. Assim como o professor deve procurar recursos tecnológicos que melhorem a sua aula (e não só para falar que usa a tecnologia), na hora de se comunicar com os pais devemos pensar a mesma coisa. Primeiro temos que ter clareza de como queremos que essa mensagem chegue ao pais e a forma que queremos e impactar e depois procuramos o recurso tecnológico que melhor se encaixe nisso e não o contrário.

With.....and without " My dear father , I m very sorry about our discussion and believe me that I never thought to disobey you or make you angry about me.So let me present to you all my profound apologies telling you that you are my favourite person I love ❤ in this life and on this earth " Three months ago , I was in a difficult conversation with my son , I was angry and the discussion was blocked but ten minutes later I ve received the above confortable mail. Without the Technology the misundersranding could have lasted longer. We can also as parents take the initiative to use it so they will do the same with us. Now I m receiving video calls ,recorders ,WhatsApp calls... useful in daily life but more in difficult ones

Having notes can help, it can keep you on track and give you a reason to look away even momentarily. I do feel that it is important to let the person know at the start I have notes to ensure I share what is needed with them. I prefer not to practice as I do not want to sound rehearsed.

Imagine you need to discuss academic concerns with a parent. Use a note-taking app to outline specific issues, goals for improvement, and questions you want to address. Record yourself discussing these points to refine your tone and clarity, using a voice recorder or smartphone video. Enlist a friend to simulate the conversation, providing feedback on your delivery and suggesting improvements. This tech-enhanced preparation ensures you approach the difficult conversation with clarity, confidence, and effective communication.

Si se trata de una conversación difícil prescinde de la tecnología. A lo sumo haz un esquema de lo que quieres comunicar para no olvidar ningún detalle y luego, háblalo personalmente o, si no es posible, utiliza el teléfono o la videollamada y sé sincero. Sin duda tus padres te entenderán mejor si te expresas de la manera más personal y más sincera.

When using translation services to send a message to families, please consider testing the comprehensiveness and tone by reverse translating the message back to English and looking it over before sending it. Also, keep in mind that word meaning can vary based on the many factors, such as country of origin.

Respond adequately to questions and uncertainties. This will help eliminate any impending disagreement. There are no absolutes, hence the reason listening cannot be overrated.

Si no te queda más remedio que usar la tecnología procura expresarte como lo harías cara a cara. Con respeto, cariño y sé conciso para evitar confundir con florituras innecesarias. Pide respuesta. El feedback es muy importante, decisivo. Ten en cuenta que el diálogo, aunque tires de tecnología, ha de ser bidireccional. Hazlo pues de manera que se facilite el diálogo y la compresión.

make the communication a sandwich, that is, start with some positive reinforcement, give the 'meat' or the body of the message, then summarise and end with more positive information. By book-ending with positive reinforcement we sound more supportive

Personally, I follow up almost all meetings with an email. Everyone balances multiple priorities and every conversation takes detours. This makes it all too easy to forget the details of the agreed-upon follow-up. Use a simple format: salutation, appreciation for their time, then dive in. People tend to skim, so recap the topic. Action steps are divided into short, bulleted lists: what they agreed to and what I agreed to. If another meeting has been arranged, that comes next or a “wait & see” statement. To close, I ask whether I’ve missed anything, thank them again, and sign off. Most people will appreciate it and reply, and you’ve established a working rapport.

Consider sending an email to your parent summarizing the discussion about academic goals, outlining the agreed-upon strategies for improvement and expressing gratitude for their understanding. Use text messages to send periodic progress updates or reminders about upcoming deadlines. Alternatively, utilize a platform that allows for sharing achievement milestones, such as a report card or positive feedback from teachers. Following up with a phone call or video call to discuss the positive progress made and express appreciation reinforces your commitment to ongoing communication and collaboration through technology.

Has llegado, por el medio que sea, a la parte más importante de toda comunicación. Sin retroalimentación no hay ni comunicación o diálogo. Si utilizas el correo electrónico hazlo de manera muy concreta invitando a una respuesta u opinión sobre los asuntos de interés. Si es un asunto sensible o importante utiliza el teléfono o la videollamada si la comunicación personal no es posible.