Communicate 2.1.2 – Communication Guidelines Quest

By Jetlum Ajeti (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

• Welcome email/newsletter - (generic for all courses, send prior to the beginning of the course) Include contact information, the name of the course, how to access the course, what to do if there are technical difficulties, any special project information, any special dates, a schedule including deadlines, and company policies. Include the date and time for the synchronous welcome meeting/orientation and how to access the meeting. Include a message regarding a welcome phone call.
• Welcome phone call - speak with the parent or guardian to make sure all contact information is correct and answer any questions.
• Personal notes versus mass communication to stakeholders (appropriate times)
  When addressing individual students, a personal communication should always be used, whether it is an email, a text, or a phone call. No grades or personal information should ever be sent in an email or text. An administrator should be cc'd on any issues with policy violations, or any other issue as stated in the school's communication policy.
  Mass communications may be used when addressing all students in the course, for example, deadline reminders, when grades are posted for an assignment, or last minute changes with a synchronous meeting time. Longer messages should be sent via email. Announcements placed on the course homepage will also be sent via Remind (formerly Remind 101).
• Stakeholders, students, parents, teachers, administrators will all follow the guidelines set forth by the school. All means of communication will be shared with those involved. Parents should be encouraged to check their child's progress in the course regularly.
• School Policies regarding communication will be shared prior to the course start date with parents and students.
•  Document all communications (within the course in a private area if possible). Include date, time, who was contacted, the reason for contact, and the response received. 
• Tools available for effective Communication:

          email
          texts via cell phone, Google Voice (keeps an organized record of messages), or both
          Remind
          in-course messages/discussion forums
          blogs
          calendar
          phone calls, DialMyCalls