ClassDojo, a popular student behavior recording service, has launched an excellent new messaging feature in their Android and iOS apps. The new messaging feature allows teachers to send messages to parents about their children. The messaging featuring can be used to send messages to parents on an individual basis and on a whole group basis. ClassDojo is using the term “Direct Messaging” to refer to sending messages to individuals and the term “Broadcast Messaging” to refer to sending messages to all parents in a group.

ClassDojo’s messaging service, like that of Remind 101 and similar messaging services, hides the personal contact information of the teacher and the of the parents. Parents have to opt-in to receive messages from the teacher.

Applications for Education
The new direct messaging aspect of ClassDojo’s messaging service could be a great tool for keeping parents informed about the positive things their children are doing in your classroom. The broadcast messaging aspect of ClassDojo’s messaging service could be good for sending reminders to all parents about things like due dates for paperwork or homework that their children need to complete.

I would be a little leery of using the messaging service to notify parents of negative behaviors. In those cases I would still prefer speaking directly to parents.