Translation features in mobile apps enabled direct communication between educators and parents who speak languages other than English¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study · qualitative r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2022 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? Spanish-speaking caregivers and educators used built-in app translation features to communicate directly, replacing a prior practice of routing communication through Spanish-speaking support staff. → Orta 2022

Evidence¶

Orta 2022¶

Orta, D., & Gutiérrez, V. (2022). Improving school-family communication and engagement: Lessons from remote schooling during the pandemic. Chicago, IL: University of Chicago Consortium on School Research. https://consortium.uchicago.edu/publications/improving-school-family-communication-and-engagement

q2 · i? · qualitative · r2

Finding from focus groups with Spanish-speaking parents, who described pre-remote communication mediated by a bilingual secretary and times when "we didn't talk to the teacher." The brief attributes the shift to advancement in the accuracy of translation technologies.

"During remote schooling, with the increased use of apps and virtual platforms, educators and caregivers were able to use built-in translation features to allow them to communicate directly with one another."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• Mobile apps increased timely, direct communication between parents and educators during remote schooling — a broader claim this one bears on
• Virtual and in-person parent-to-parent forums deepened caregivers' sense of community and support — related
• Learners use apps mostly for vocabulary development, translation, and grammar practice, often informally and in short sessions — related
• Nearly all attendance-related text-messaging events were targeted to specific students or subgroups, and nearly a third were sent in a language other than English, mostly Spanish — related