How can you use EdTech tools to support communication and peer collaboration among teachers? To find out, read through the guidance at your own pace.

1. Use communication tools to encourage peer support

Peer support is an essential characteristic of effective TPD. It is important for teachers to communicate with their peers, form communities of practice, and learn from each other’s experiences. This can improve pedagogical practice and support teacher well-being.

Prioritise school-based groups of teachers and pay attention to cultural considerations with group dynamics (for example, mixed-gender groups may be inappropriate in some settings, compromising effective communication). While face-to-face peer support is the most beneficial, EdTech tools can also give teachers access to more peers and a more diverse group than just those within their own school. Communication tools can support inter-school, inter-region, and even inter-country communities of practice.

In times of crisis that limit face-to-face peer support, communication tools are even more crucial to support teachers.

2. Use communication tools that teachers already have and/or are familiar with

This encourages scale, sustainability, and cost-efficiency, as teachers do not need to adopt new tools and practices. For example, if teachers are used to using WhatsApp or Signal, prioritise using these instead of introducing a new tool or app.

3. Use tools in ways that encourage teachers to reflect on their practice

Reflection is an essential practice to help teachers develop into stronger practitioners.

4. Make sure tools are suitable for teachers’ levels of digital skills

Tools should fit teachers’ levels of digital literacy and support communication in their language. Teachers have different communication needs in TPD depending on their settings, the type of TPD, and their level of teaching.

Novice teachers

  • Incorporate tools for communication within TPD programmes so teachers can form communities of practice.

  • Incorporate tools for communication within TPD programmes so coaches can remind teachers of effective practices.

  • Use simple and/or familiar communication tools that less tech-savvy teachers can adopt more easily.

  • Provide tech support and guidelines on how to use the communication tools for TPD.

Experienced teachers

  • Use communication tools to engage in critical discussion, reflection, and real-time problem-solving.

  • More tech-savvy teachers can use complex apps tailored to TPD communication, with features such as discussion forums, topic searches, peer feedback, and shared resources.

5. Make sure tools can be used at scale within the existing digital infrastructure

Consider factors such as mobile penetration among teachers, data costs, and network connectivity to ensure tools can reach all intended users.

6. Make sure tools are low-cost or free for teachers to use

This allows for a more cost-efficient and scalable TPD solution.

Who Can Use Tools for Communication and Collaboration And How?

Teachers

  • Communicate and collaborate with peers to discuss successes and challenges, and to provide each other with socioemotional support.

  • Share resources such as lesson plans to encourage each other to adopt effective practices.

  • Engage in critical discussion and real-time problem-solving.

TPD Coordinators

  • Use tools to coordinate with teachers, including checking on their progress and goals, reminding them to try new practices, and scheduling TPD sessions.

  • When it is difficult to meet in person, organise teacher learning circles digitally using these tools.

  • Share relevant TPD resources with teachers in your group.

  • Use these tools to encourage collaborative lesson planning among teachers.

School Leaders

  • Check in with teachers within your school to understand their progress, challenges, and achievements.

  • Encourage teachers within your school to communicate with peers, such as teachers within their subjects or grades.

Policymakers

  • Make tools for communication and collaboration available for teachers and TPD coordinators to use.

Curated Tools for Communication and Collaboration

1. RapidPro

Description:
RapidPro is an open-source communication platform that can be configured to suit different communication needs and digital infrastructure requirements. It includes SMS, interactive voice response (IVR), automated flows, APIs for integration with other tools, and real-time analytics to monitor TPD programmes.

Key Features:
☑ Encourages peer support
☑ Familiar to teachers
☑ Encourages reflection
☑ Can be tailored to teachers’ digital skills and levels
☑ Suitable for limited digital infrastructures
☑ Low-cost or free for teachers

2. TeachersConnect

Description:
TeachersConnect is a free app that allows teachers to share ideas, ask questions, and search through peer-contributed topics and problem-solving techniques. Teachers can share challenges and achievements, request solutions, and offer advice to other teachers.

Note: TeachersConnect is US-centric.

Key Features:
☑ Encourages peer support
🚩 Less familiar to teachers
☑ Encourages reflection
☑ Can be tailored to teachers’ digital skills and levels
☑ Suitable for limited digital infrastructures
☑ Low-cost or free for teachers

3. WhatsApp, Signal, and Telegram (for TPD communication)

Description:
These popular instant messaging tools allow teachers to communicate with peers and coaches. The preferred tool differs by country but is commonly used in many educational settings.

Key Features:
☑ Encourages peer support
☑ Familiar to teachers
☑ Encourages reflection
☑ Can be tailored to teachers’ digital skills and levels
☑ Suitable for limited digital infrastructures
☑ Low-cost or free for teachers

4. Facebook (for TPD communication)

Description:
Facebook is a social media platform with instant messaging and group creation features. Teachers can form communities of practice, share resources, and facilitators can moderate discussions.

Key Features:
☑ Encourages peer support
☑ Familiar to teachers
☑ Encourages reflection
☑ Can be tailored to teachers’ digital skills and levels
☑ Suitable for limited digital infrastructures
☑ Low-cost or free for teachers

5. EdThena

Description:
EdThena is a video-based communication platform. Teachers record videos of their teaching using any device or software, upload them, and receive time-stamped feedback from coaches or peers. This supports cycles of trial, feedback, reflection, and microteaching, which can improve student outcomes.

Note: This is not free or open-source for decision-makers.

Key Features:
☑ Encourages peer support
🚩 Less familiar to teachers
☑ Encourages reflection
☑ Can be tailored to teachers’ digital skills and levels
☑ Suitable for limited digital infrastructures
☑ Low-cost or free for teachers

6. Teacherly

Description:
Teacherly is a teacher communication and collaboration platform that enables collaboration on lesson planning, feedback exchange, and team-based support. It can be used by teachers and coaches to facilitate collaboration, feedback, and refinement of teaching practices.

Note: The free option is limited. Used at scale, this would not be free for decision-makers.

Key Features:
☑ Encourages peer support
🚩 Less familiar to teachers
☑ Encourages reflection
☑ Can be tailored to teachers’ digital skills and levels
☑ Suitable for limited digital infrastructures
☑ Low-cost or free for teachers