What action can you take to support student communication in your classroom?

Creating a student instant messaging group in Hangouts fosters an environment that encourages communication and collaboration among students. This tool allows for real-time messaging, sharing of ideas, and immediate feedback, making it much easier for students to connect with each other about projects, assignments, or even general class discussions. Instant messaging can help build a sense of community among students, which is crucial for engagement and collaborative learning. By using a platform like Hangouts, students can communicate freely and more informally than they might in a classroom setting, facilitating peer support and teamwork.

On the other hand, limiting direct communication to email can create barriers, as email tends to be less immediate and may discourage spontaneous conversation. Encouraging students to work independently can detract from the collaborative skills that are essential in a classroom environment, while designating a student helper for each project might create dependencies and limit peer interaction. Thus, establishing an instant messaging group stands out as an effective way to enhance communication among students.