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Parent's Evening Software? What're you using that works well?

pete

By pete
in How do you do....it?

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pete

pete

Posted
Posted

We may (if Google Forms / Microsoft Bookings doesn't suit our needs) be in the market for something that:

 

  • Is cross-platform (apps are fine, but it needs to have a website too)
  • Doesn't require parents to have Yet Another Login
  • (Ideally) can add appointments to parent's calendar and the teacher's calendar
  • Teacher is set as the owner of the event (so they can add remote video meeting details, for example)

 

I'm poking around the various "booking" offerings, but an idea of what to avoid would be appreciated.

 

cheers

 

Pete

jthompson

jthompson

Posted
Posted
We use https://www.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/ works well for us, but we've not done any "socially distanced" parents' evenings yet.

 

IIRC this one doesn't necessarily require a password from parents, they only need to provide their child's name and dob to make bookings. If it's the one I'm thinking of, we used it for a while prior to EduLink. Useful for them not to have to use a password that they've never used before when scrabbling for appointments at the eleventh hour.

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mthomas08

mthomas08

Posted
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EduLink here too

 

Although it is a username and password... I think we used Parents Evening online before and it still required a parent to type in certain info that was unique to them (maybe the child DOB).

 

It can be sent out in an email and no letters required - has an app and seems to work on any device.

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mdrabble

mdrabble

Posted
Posted
We use https://www.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/ works well for us, but we've not done any "socially distanced" parents' evenings yet.

 

I investigated systems signed up to a trial of this, configured to used AD credentials etc, sims sync the lot - sent details to all SLT and left it with them.

 

Has timers to ensure things don’t run over etc, initially SLT seemed very impressed and asked me to give various staff admin rights (such as Lower and upper school admin staff and the sixth form team) so they could look in it further.

 

Found out yesterday 6th form team which includes some SLT are planning to use Zoom to hold one to one parent talks.

 

What changed I have no idea or if they have even looked at the system properly but needless to say i am and wasn’t happy about hearing the word Zoom!

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Rob_D

Rob_D

Posted
Posted
I investigated systems signed up to a trial of this, configured to used AD credentials etc, sims sync the lot - sent details to all SLT and left it with them.

Pretty much our experience with it. It just gets on with the job and doesn't cause me any hassle. I like that in a software package.

Found out yesterday 6th form team which includes some SLT are planning to use Zoom to hold one to one parent talks.

What changed I have no idea or if they have even looked at the system properly but needless to say i am and wasn’t happy about hearing the word Zoom!

I'd bet they either haven't noticed it can do video-chat or didn't think to look "because it's not proper Parent's Evening" or something. If it were here, I'd fully expect them to still be using parentseveningsystem to book the appointments and then copying them across manually.

pete

pete

Posted
  • Author
Posted

 

I'd bet they either haven't noticed it can do video-chat or didn't think to look "because it's not proper Parent's Evening" or something. If it were here, I'd fully expect them to still be using parentseveningsystem to book the appointments and then copying them across manually.

 

What're they using on the backend for the video chat?

 

and how did your lot get on with the "video calls end at the appointed end time" setting?

MYK-IT

MYK-IT

Posted
Posted (edited)

Sorry to jump in @pete but I have been advised by our SLT that they are investigating (e.g. they want me to) the feasibility of using Schoolcloud Parents Evening system for remote use.

 

@Rob_D @mdrabble as it appears that both your schools use this, any hints, tips, gotchas or things to be made aware of?

 

I am already thinking of the scenario now, 50+ teachers, each wanting a computer / laptop available with camera /microphone (presumably in separate rooms - or adequately spaced out so conversations from other parents/staff are not overheard etc).

 

What is the uptake of / feedback from teaching staff of using their own personal devices (laptop / tablet / mobile phone) to use this? I'm trying to see both sides of the argument if this was suggested etc.

 

I have not seen a demo of this yet, as someone else has taken lead of this to date.

 

Many thanks.

Edited by MYK-IT
pete

pete

Posted
  • Author
Posted (edited)
^ We issue laptops to teaching staff, so we're happy for staff to run their meetings from home provided the camera doesn't see anything untoward. Edited by pete
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MYK-IT

MYK-IT

Posted
Posted

Thanks @pete

 

Unfortunately, that is not an option for us. Fixed desktops in every classroom, and limited number of laptops.

 

How does the timed slots work? Notification when timed slot nears / end? what about over-running appointments?

pete

pete

Posted
  • Author
Posted

A quick glance at the support site mentions this:

 

https://support.parentseveningsystem.co.uk/article/801-video-parents-how-to-attend-appointments-over-video-call

 

When a teacher joins a call you will see them in the main part of the screen - or hear them, if they have no camera (or have turned it off) - and can start you discussion with them.

 

You will also see the remaining time for the appointment counting down in the blue bar at the top of the screen.

 

If you lose access to the system for some reason during the call, log in again and click Start Appointment on the video call screen. As long as the teacher is still in the call this will let you continue with the appointment (this is the same for the teacher if they lose their access).

 

When the countdown in the blue bar stops the appointment time is over and the call will automatically end.

Rob_D

Rob_D

Posted
Posted

We haven't tried it for an "online parent's evening", since lockdown. As I said, it mostly just ticks along in the background. The only gotcha can think of was that for LDAP or ADFS to work on SIMS synced staff, their primary email in SIMS had to be their school email.

 

It might be worth looking at headsets (or at least headphones) to stop crosstalk if people are in the same room

mdrabble

mdrabble

Posted
Posted (edited)

Cannot comment - as I investigated signed up for the trial and gave SLT all the info - this was back in March and I have heard nothing since.

 

To get AD credentials working, had to allow their IP through using LDAPS port direct to a DC - since this is a direct connection from their end to ours I was happy to allow that through.

 

If AD has emails etc then it just syncs credentials and same for SIMS.net, installs their sync tools and it just did the job.

Edited by mdrabble
  • 2 weeks later...
timbo343

timbo343

Posted
Posted
Can Google Meet be used for Parent meeting video conferencing?
If used and managed correctly i have thought so but i'd be wary of it. You'd have to make sure each parent and each meeting has a their own meeting link.

 

If a staff member shared one meet code, you may have lots of parents "knocking" to gain entry into an active meeting.

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MYK-IT

MYK-IT

Posted
Posted (edited)

More than likely, I think we'll be going with Soundcloud Parents Evening. So now, just the need to source suitable webcams (approx. 50) and perhaps USB Headset / Boom Microphones.

 

Any suppliers interested in quoting? Stocks of branded kit are low (or out of stock!) combined with inflated prices, and I've no idea what quality the many unknown brands are like! Just browsing through the likes of of Scan and Ebuyer, stock of the cheaper Microsoft or Logitech webcams are not due in until end of October, or mid-November. Which could be a possibility, as our first event wont be until December but i'd like to be able to test (quality) well before then.

 

Many Thanks,

Edited by MYK-IT
FragglePete

FragglePete

Posted
Posted

We've used School Cloud's Parents Evening System (PES) for several years now - really good product and their support is excellent. We however have just started using Edulink One which has almost identical features to PES so did give notice that we wouldn't renew.... however, the lockdown happened and School Cloud very cleverly introduced (and gave for free) their system with new Video Meetings for free - however, now costs an extra license to use. The primary school I look after used is and loved it back before the Summer holidays.

 

We're going to do our next two Parents Evening using their new video system to see how it goes - and we'll decide whether to keep it in the new year. But our basic tests so far seem really good.

 

Pete

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willkeddie

willkeddie

Posted
Posted

Watched the SoundCloud demo last week and was very impressed and they are offering a 30 day free trial at the minute. My preferred method is through MS Teams (we use it for everything else with staff), but the idea of teachers manually adding all their appointments is just too big a job. I have thought about using Microsoft Bookings for this and it automatically sets up the calendared event in Teams. Sounds perfect. Anyone tried it?

 

Also a bit worried about have 50-odd staff in school running a virtual video parents evening and if our bandwidth can handle it. Think we might send staff home to do it and only have staff in who haven't got the kit. What are everyone's thoughts on bandwidth?

MYK-IT

MYK-IT

Posted
Posted
Might it be worth getting visualisers rather than webcams so you get two for the price of one? We're really pleased with our ipevo 4k units.

 

Just checked out the IPEVO website, noted the IPEVO DO-CAM USB Visualiser for £107.50 ex VAT, and the cheaper V4K Ultra High Definition USB Visualiser for £82.50 ex VAT - not sure of the (major) differences - although none are in stock with IPEVO or Amazon. With amazon charging £299 for the former!

 

Could get more Hue HD Pro, although we've had one faulty one already (only out of 5) in only the first month we've been using them!

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