Frontline Tech

Tag: Settlement Workers in Schools

  • TalkingPoints

    Description

    TalkingPoints is a multilingual texting tool primarily used for school-to-home/parents communication that incorporates automatic translation within the app. Organizations and staff communicate with families through SMS messaging.

    They can send and receive SMS messages with automatic translation, and also have curated SMS messages that can be sent to families. Messages can be send through the TalkingPoints website or app.

    Parents can opt to receive messages through Texting (SMS/MMS) or the TalkingPoints parent app. TalkingPoints has found greater parent engagement through the app than text messages. As well, attachments, such as videos, documents, etc., can be included within the app.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • TalkingPoints can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a messaging tool with clients and communities.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    TalkingPoints is free for teachers to use with up to 200 students, 5 classes. Administrative plans (schools & districts) have additional features and costs.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    TalkingPoints is easy to use for administrators and teachers, as well as parents. They have extensive accessibility efforts and settings, including help to ensure messages are sent using plain language.

    Mobile friendly

    TalkingPoints is mobile based.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    TalkingPoints is compliant with major U.S. privacy laws and has strong data security policies and practices.

    Multilingual capabilities

    TalkingPoints offers message translation into over 100 languages.

    Additional resources

  • Newcomer.info

    Description

    Newcomer.info is a mass text-messaging tool created by ISSofBC to share information with refugee and immigrant newcomers. You can send broadcast messages, or messages that Newcomers can respond to.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Newcomer.info can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer texting as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    You can test the tool and send 50 message for free. You can buy Newcomer.info credits to send messages depending on how many you want to send.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    You can send a message from your computer through the Newcomer.info interface or on your own mobile device.

    Mobile friendly

    You can send a message from your computer or on your own mobile device.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    While texting is not a secure communications tool, Newcomer.info has a useful privacy policy you can review.

    You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that Newcomers are aware that they are not communicating through an entirely secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can send messages in different language settings/alphabets.

    Additional resources

  • Kahoot

    Description

    Kahoot is a free participant-response tool for administering quizzes, facilitating discussions, and collecting survey data. It is a game-based tool you can use in real time. Questions are shared with participants as they answer the questions with their smartphone, tablet, or computer. The idea is to create a a social, fun and game-like environment. Kahoot allows for the design of multiple-choice quizzes as well as polls and surveys that populate on-the-spot data. Quiz questions and polls can be used to stimulate quick decisions as well as whole-class discussion.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Generally used in live video conference (eg. Zoom) settings to create additional engagement with participants.
    • Used to generate anonymous feedback.
    • Kahoot can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to engage with Newcomers visually, brainstorm ideas, capture Newcomer feedback, ideas, insights, suggestions, comprehension, etc.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Kathoot has a free plan with limits, currently focused on teachers and students, and a number of paid plans. Registered nonprofits and NGOs are eligible for a 50% discount on all Kahoot for business plans.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Kahoot is easy to use, intuitive for participants. Once you have created your first Kahoot the interface is intuitive for workers.

    Mobile friendly

    Kahoot is mobile friendly on mobile browsers, and has a mobile Android and Appl app as well.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    If participants log in with Kahoot accounts to participate, some personal information can become viewable. Common Sense Media (which focuses on child and student privacy) has a very useful privacy, safety and security overview, with overall good ratings except when it comes to data security and sharing:

    • “The terms of Kahoot! state they use reasonable organizational, technical, and administrative measures to protect users’ personal information.”
    • “Kahoot! may share a user’s data with third-party service providers to support its services and if a user participates, data may be shared with sponsors of sweepstakes, contests and other similar third-party marketing promotions.”
    • “Kahoot! collects personally identifiable information and other automatically collected usage information through its services and may receive a user’s personal information from other sources, such as public databases, joint marketing partners, and other third parties. Kahoot! does not collect any personal information from a person who merely plays a Kahoot, except if a user participates in a Kahoot! which is hosted using the Player Identifier feature.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    The Kahoot app and platform are translated into English, Spanish, French, Brazilian Portuguese, German, Italian, Japanese, Dutch, Turkish, Polish, Norwegian, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, and Arabic.

    Additional resources

  • Facebook

    Description

    Facebook is an online social media and social networking service owned by Meta Platforms. It includes personal accounts, organizational accounts (pages), groups and more. You can post multimedia (audio, video, gifs, etc.) as well as stream live video on Facebook (through Facebook or external streaming services such as Zoom).

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Many organizations have Facebook pages where they share information and interact with Newcomers, providing information and orientation services.
    • Organizations also have Facebook groups, which can be made open, closed, or private in order to provide additional services to Newcomers.
    • Settlement Practitioners create work-specific Facebook accounts to provide services, join work-related groups, and interact with Newcomers.
    • Facebook can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to help inform and engage with Newcomers on one of the largest social networks.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Facebook is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use.

    According to Facebook, they have “features and technologies that help people with disabilities, such as vision loss and deafness, get the most out of Facebook.”

    Mobile friendly

    Facebook is mobile optimized and available through their Android and iOS apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Common Sense Media has a useful Privacy Evaluation for Facebook. Additional information can be found on Facebook’s Privacy, Safety, and Security help articles.

    Multilingual capabilities

    Facebook can be used with different languages.

    Additional resources

  • ProtonMail

    Description

    ProtonMail is an encrypted email service provider you can use to send secure emails.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • ProtonMail can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely over email with Newcomers and colleagues.

    Video overview

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZSywi_uq0
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8dZTjggNRA

    Pricing

    ProtonMail has a free account and a number of paid options that come with additional features and storage space.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    ProtonMail has an easy to use interface. They do not appear to have information about accessibility features.

    Mobile friendly

    ProtonMail has Android and iOS apps for mobile use.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    ProtonMail uses end-to-end encryption for messages, both stored and in transit. They do not have access to your messages. Read more about their privacy and security features.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the language of your ProtonMail account.

    Additional resources

  • Gmail

    Description

    Gmail is Google’s email service. Gmail is free to use (with a paid option that offers more storage capability) and is included in the Google Workspace which offers discounted rates for nonprofits (including a free tier).

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Some sector organizations use Google Workspace, including Gmail, as their Office Suite and communication software.
    • Gmail can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to communicate and share information with Newcomers.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    You can use Gmail with any free Google account. Google Workspace offers additional storage space and other features, and has discounted rates for nonprofits (including a free tier).

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use, including on mobile browsers. Also has Android and iOS apps.

    Mobile friendly

    Mobile optimized.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Google has useful information about Gmail security and privacy here.

    When creating a Google account, a valid name, email address, username, and password are required. It is also optional to provide a phone number to recover your account if the password is lost. Upon creation of your account, Google closely tracks your searches, bookmarks, and location services, among other data. These underlying data collection practices and Google’s sharing of your information with third parties make the use of Google tools for personal purposes less secure.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the language you use in Gmail.

    Additional resources

  • Microsoft Outlook

    Description

    Microsoft Outlook is an email and calendar software tool.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Outlook is a commonly used email software by many sector organizations.
    • Outlook can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival as a tool to communicate and share information with Newcomers.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    You can get a free version of Outlook. A premium version also comes as part of a Microsoft 365 subscription. Microsoft also has a Charity program which offers discounts.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Outlook is easy to use and familiar for many people. Microsoft has a number of accessibility features, such as voice-controlled navigation, support for multiple assistive devices.

    Mobile friendly

    Outlook is mobile friendly and available on Android, iOS, and Windows apps.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Outlook has robust data security settings. However, Microsoft 365 Business Premium (Nonprofit Staff Pricing) appears to have more advanced security features according to Microsoft.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change Outlook’s language settings.

    Additional resources

  • Signal

    Description

    Signal is a digital messaging app that uses end-to-end encryption for privacy and security. This means that no one, including Signal, can read your messages or listen to your calls. Features include text messaging, making audio and video calls, send audio/video messages, and create group chats

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Signal can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate securely and effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Signal is free. However, you need a Wi-Fi or data connection in order to use it.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Easy to use (if you use WhatsApp, it’s very similar). Signal doesn’t have information about accessibility on its site.

    Mobile friendly

    Signal is a mobile app for Android and iOS.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    According to Signal, “Signal conversations are always end-to-end encrypted, which means that they can only be read or heard by your intended recipients.”

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language on Signal.

    Additional resources

  • Facebook Messenger

    Description

    Facebook Messenger is Facebook’s digital messaging tool. It has text, voice, video calling and group video chat features.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Facebook Messenger can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer using Facebook as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Facebook Messenger is free.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Messenger is easy to use. Accessibility information about Messenger can be found in the general Facebook help information about accessibility.

    Mobile friendly

    Messenger is primarily used on the Android and iOS app, but can be used through the web browser as well.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Facebook Messenger conversations between staff and clients must be in “secret” mode to ensure end-to-end encryption. To learn how to set up secret conversations, visit this link.

    End-to-end encryption for Facebook messenger is only currently available through the Messenger app for iOS/Android and not through website/desktop access. If you are seeking to have secure contact with Newcomers, you should only communicate with clients via Facebook Messenger using the app on smartphones. Communication with clients using Facebook for desktop (user-to-user messages or other methods of communication through the platform) or Messenger.com for desktop is not secure. You should take every reasonable measure to ensure that clients are aware that they are not communicating through a secure channel and to remind clients not to share personal information through these means.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language in Facebook/Messenger.

    Additional resources

  • Viber

    Description

    Viber is a secure digital messaging app you can use to send messages (text, photos, videos, & voice), make audio and video calls, have group chats and calls, and join public groups.

    Current known uses in the sector

    • Viber can be used in Citizenship Preparation, Community Connections, Employment-related, Information and Orientation, Library Settlement Partnership, Settlement Workers in Schools, Pre-Arrival to communicate effectively with Newcomers who prefer digital messaging through Viber as a way to stay connected and informed.

    Video overview

    Pricing

    Viber is free. However, you need a Wi-Fi or data connection in order to use it.

    Ease of use & Accessibility

    Viber is easy to use. Viber does not appear to have accessibility information on their site.

    Mobile friendly

    Viber is primarily a smartphone app you can use on Android and iOS devices.

    Privacy/security features, including data security and message encryption

    Only 1-on-1 and group chats are fully secured by end-to-end encryption.

    Multilingual capabilities

    You can change the default language on Viber.

    Additional resources