Blogs

March 26, 2013

Mobile School Directory App Versus a PDF

I talk to school parents every day about our mobile school directory app. One of the questions asked is – how does a mobile app compare to an electronic PDF available over the web containing a list of parent contacts. I have compiled a table with the list of comparable features. Our mobile school directory app, MobileArq, is available on smartphones, iPads or any tablet device, computers (laptops and desktops). PDF Directory Mobile School Directory App Hard to view on a smartphone. Built for usage on a smartphone, tablet or computer with the same URL Not interactive Interactive‚ call/email/text from app Personal info cannot be updated/published by the user. Personal info can be updated and published immediately by the user or directory volunteer. No Group Communications Send message in a single click to members of any group. E.g., class/forensics/sport teams. As you can see, the benefits of having an app […]
March 2, 2013

School Directory Production

School Directory Production can be a torturous process I was talking to the “PTA ex-Directory Chair” in one of the Elementary Schools about the school directory process in her district. She told me that after three years of producing the school directory for her elementary school, she was “BURNED OUT” and stepped down last year. Let me call her Mrs. Directory Chair. Mrs. Directory Chair was very frustrated about the problems she faced in the school. They used archaic systems to collect the information, namely paper forms. Although the district collected the information, they would not give her the updates she needed for the existing parents. This was in part due to the “privacy policy”. Each time she would walk into the office to get some information, they would ask her for all her details ALL OVER again. And she was visiting them three to four times a week! Although […]
January 22, 2013

School Directory App invaluable tool for parents

Why do parents need a mobile school directory? All parents are always balancing their commitments to work and other responsibilities with their children’s activities and school events. Their school directory and calendar is an invaluable tool for them to communicate with other parents in their child’s class/school/sports team. Parents are mobile and on the run dropping and picking up kids at various activities. However most of the schools do not publish a mobile school directory. The school directories continue to be printed on paper. Take the case of Allison, a working Mom with 2 children in elementary school who lives in our neighborhood. She relies heavily on her babysitter to pick up the children from the school at 3 and take care of them until she comes home in the evening. When Allison’s babysitter’s car breaks down, she has to find someone to pick up her kids and keep them […]
August 2, 2012

Collaboration Portals for Parents in K-12 schools

Parent Teacher Organizations or Parent Teacher Associations are an important part of the public school fabric in the United States. They act as a conduit between the parents and the Board of Education in each district as well as the channel of communication between parents and the Principal/Staff running a school. Research has shown that parent involvement and support for children has been critical to their success. The earlier the parent gets involved in their children’s education and growth, the more significant are the results.  Parent involvement has resulted in higher grades, test scores and graduation rates. In spite of the evidence, lack of parent involvement is a well known and huge problem in public schools. Parents are busy with the day-to-day grind of their lives and take a back seat when it comes to their child’s education. Easy access to information and ability to talk to other parents in […]