The purposes of this study are to examine the current status and perceptions of early childhood teachers who communicate with children’s parents using smart phone application and to seek right direction in this new way to communicating with parents ...
The purposes of this study are to examine the current status and perceptions of early childhood teachers who communicate with children’s parents using smart phone application and to seek right direction in this new way to communicating with parents using smart phone applications. The research questions are as follow:
1) What is the current status of communication methods between early childhood teachers and children’s parents? 2) What is early childhood teachers’ perception of communication with children’s parents through smart phone application? and 3) What is the right direction of communication with children’s parents using smart phone application?
A pilot study was conducted with three preschool teacher before the present study. The three teachers were interviewed and developed a final list of interview questions after the pilot study. Based on the pilot study, the present study was performed. The participants were 20 early childhood teachers who work for several private or public preschools located in South Gyeongsang Province. To address the research questions, semi-structured interview protocols were developed which were then reviewed by early childhood professionals. The final set of interview questions were revised and edited based on 3 pretest sessions with preschool teachers. All interviews were recorded with the participants’ consent and transcribed.
The summary of the present study is as follows:
First, the study findings showed that smart phones were the most frequently used communication methods between preschool teachers and children’s parents. In particular, participants thought that smart phones were useful tools: 1) when children were sick or got hurt; 2) when teachers need to contact children’s parents who have questions regarding their children’s preschool life; and 3) when preschool teachers need to notify children’s relationships with peers and teachers, 4) preschool newsletters were used instead of smart phones when informing preschool events or special plans , and 5) smart phone text messages were frequently used when teachers need to inform urgent notices and changing time or route of school bus.
These preschool teachers followed school's guidelines regarding smart phone usage by using smart phones after school hours. In addition, these teachers kept their smart phones in their bag or locker during class.
Second, communication using smart phone application was divided into phone calls and text messages, which are functions built in smart phone, and smart phone application. The preschool teachers contacted children’s parents after-preschool under the preschool’s policy. This study showed that the preschool teachers have a specific plan for how to store and when to use their smart phone. Positive benefits of communicating with children’s parents using smart phone application include effectiveness based on mobile communication fee, rapid transmission rate, convenience in checking confirmation, and the ability to establish a close rapport with parents which in turn allows them to build trust with parents. However, some problems exist, such as exposure of teachers’ privacy and personal information, transformation of traditional teacher image, and issues of equitable child management.
Third, efforts in preschool and parental involvement are needed in order for communication through smart phone application to move in the right direction.
Material/environmental supports, improvement in rules regarding when and for what purpose as well as guidelines for appropriate utilization of smart phone application with other communication methods are needed from preschool. On the parental side, parents should respect teacher's privacy, protect teachers’ personal information, and maintain proper manners when using smart phone to communicate with teachers.