Table 2.

The digital modes, nature, and purposes of teacher-parent communication

Digital Mode	Nature	Examples of Purpose
Digital communication (mostly unidirectional, group communication between teacher and parents)	Back-to-school nights via a digital platform (e.g., Zoom Google Meet, Microsoft Teams)	• Teacher sharing information • Teacher answering questions from parents
Video conferencing (bidirectional, individual communication between teacher and parents)	• Routinized teacher-parent video conferences via a digital platform (e.g., Zoom Google Meet, Microsoft Teams) • Non-routinized teacher-parent conferences via a digital platform (e.g., Zoom Google Meet, Microsoft Teams)	• Sharing information about the child’s learning and developmental progress, strengths, and needs • Discussing the child’s behavioral and academic difficulties • Learning about the child’s cultural and linguistic background and other family characteristics
Messaging system (bidirectional, individual/group communication between teacher and parents)	• Email, short message service • Text/audio messaging via a mobile device (e.g., smartphone, iPad) • Text/audio messaging • Video chatting (e.g., FaceTime) • Sharing videos, pictures, and messages via a digital platform (e.g., WhatsApp, ClassDojo) • Communicating via a learning management system (e.g., Google Classroom)	• Keeping parents informed about class and school happenings • Sharing information about the child’s learning progress, strengths, needs, academic difficulties, and/or behavioral issues with parents • Sharing information, questions, and/or concerns about the child with the teacher • Uploading/downloading documents, photos, videos etc. • Commenting on messages, documents, photos, and/or videos posted
E-print materials (unidirectional, group communication from teacher to parents)	Class e-newsletters Class/school webpages Emailed announcements (e.g., school and class events, school policy and policy changes)	Keeping parents informed about class and school happenings and important policy and policy changes
E-survey/form (unidirectional individual communication) and e-journal (unidirectional/bidirectional individual communication)	• E-survey/questionnaire • E-form • E-journal communication	Sharing information, questions, and concerns about the child