How to manage (without going crazy) class groups on WhatsApp: the e-learning and online tutoring platform GoStudent offers us a survival guide. To discover the ten types of parents on WhatsApp. But also to say what to do and what NOT to do for a good digital coexistence.
Class Groups on WhatsApp, the GoStudent guide
School in 2022 requires a fair amount of digital literacy. Not for students, who already have it. But for parents they have to juggle electronic ledgers and the dreaded classy WhatsApp groups.
GoStudent explains that the parents on the platform are divided into several categories:
- I controversy, who do not stop asking questions and if no one answers instantly they get nervous. One complaint after another undermines the patience of the whole group
- The exhibitionistswho send private and irrelevant photos
- I ninjawho read everything, but don’t interact
- I secretariesthat every day they ask for the homework, the material to bring
- The anxiouswho love to create drama and are always in emergency mode
- The omniscient, who recite all school dates for the entire year from memory and continuously share information. Without anyone asking them to do it
- The unawarewhich are the exact opposite: without the group they would be lost
- I done, which keep work, home, school and social life in balance. And they want to point it out
- I neurotic, overwhelmed by activities. But they always find time to complain about it
- I viral, always ready to share memes and GIFs. And, often, fake news.
Whether or not you recognize yourself in one of these categories, how can you manage these groups without going crazy? GoStudent recommends establish clear rules immediately on the use of the group and on what content to share. And appoint an administrator who takes care of moderating the tones and contents shared.
However, it is important to always use calm and gentle tones, trying to be collaborative: for example, offering to share meeting summaries. Also essential share Covid cases or other pathologies, to help prevention: but without creating alarmism. And remember to respond privately to questions that don’t concern everyone.
What NOT to do
Even more important, at least in our view, is to clearly say what to avoid on these class groups on WhatsApp: so let’s put the GoStudent tips as a bulleted list. And we advise you to keep in mind some of these tips also on any other type of “official” group:
- Don’t always ask for homework for the child. If not absent, invite the student to write down their homework during class. And then there is the electronic register
- Don’t discuss personal matters, religious, political (and we add football). It is not a chat between friends, some may find the comments offensive. Most will find them annoying
- Avoid criticizing the teacher, other children and parents. You can discuss problems face to face
- No chain responses. If not asked, the “ok”, “okay” and thumbs up are only disturbing
- Don’t post content that isn’t school related. No to memes, no to chains, no to jokes.
If everyone followed these guidelines, WhatsApp class groups would be a better world. Be the change you want to see in the world, or at least in group chats.