Facilitator's Summary
Collaboration in the classroom enhances learning. There are many digital tools for teachers to use in the teaching and learning process. Common ICT applications such as Skype, Twitter and Facebook have great educational value and can be used to create community of learners both within and outside the classroom. Teachers need to be innovative as they identify areas in their subject areas where they can use such collaborative tools to enhance learning.
Effective communication is essential to create strong school-home partnerships and to increase parental involvement. Just as teachers are skilled in the art of teaching, they also require knowledge and skills to communicate effectively with their parent community. Teachers should strive to use a variety of effective strategies to make communication as informative and interactive as possible, incorporating new communication methods and yet retaining the human touch. Every communication exchange, regardless of format, should reflect a thoughtful, planned approach and should be viewed as an opportunity for teachers to promote parent partnerships and ultimately, to support student learning.[1]