Talking Points: Module Three

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Using Talking Points

Module 3: Sending Messages and Announcements

Objectives

At the end of this module you will be able to:

• Draft Messages in Talking Points
• Draft Announcements in Talking Points
• Personalize Messages and Announcements
• Save Messages for Future Use
• Send or Schedule Messages

If you'd like to review before this check in, click here.

Check In

Before we get started, check your knowledge from the previous module.

Which message type is most appropriate for this scenario?

Module 3

Use these links to explore resources for sending personalizing announcements and messages.

More Information and Evaluation

This video will walk you through the process of creating an announcement.

How to Send Direct Messages

How to Send Announcements

This video will walk you through the process of creating direct and mass messages.

Find additional information and test your knowledge.

Drafting and Scheduling Announcments

Drafting and Scheduling Messages

Click the icons to learn more:

Click me first!

Module 3: Sending Messages and Announcements

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Merge Fields

You can use merge fields to customize a message so that a student's first name appears in the message. You can also add a parent's name or your name. Currently there are no merge fields for pronouns so consider using they/them pronouns or creating a message free of pronouns.

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment

You have completed this module.

Thank you for your participation!

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Message Types in Talking Points

Personalized Mass Messages have an individualized aspect such as the greeting, but the majority of the content of the message is the same no matter the recipient.

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Message Types in Talking Points

Individual Messages are sent to one person and have personalized information. You can use this to share positive moments to a guardian.

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Message Types in Talking Points

Announcements are used to send to a large group of people, and the message is the same for each recipient.

You Only Have 600 Characters

• Keep your message short and to the point
• Highlight dates or relevant information
• Don't share confidential information

Templates

Pre-generated templates are available to you from TalkingPoints. You can also create your own templates by writing messages and clicking save. You can share templates with colleagues at your school.

A great presentation...

• It is clear and structured
• Tells stories hierarchically.
• Matches your audience.
• Adapts fonts and color to the theme.
• Includes images and entertains.
• Represents data with graphics.
• Uses timelines.
• Is animated and interactive.
• Excites the brain, through multimedia elements.
• DOES NOT overdo it with bullet points 🙃​.

Did youknow that...

When you click send, there is no way to unsend or delete the message. Be very careful about pressing send, even if you are scheduling the message for later.

Did youknow that...

The pregenerated templates use these merge fields as well. You may wish to save your messages as a template with the merge fields included so that you don't have to rewrite them.

Write Your Message

Use this space to draft your message. When drafting your message, remember to use neutral or positive language.

Schedule Your Message

You can schedule your message to be sent at a future date and time and you can set it to repeat weekly, biweekly, or monthly.

Select Recipients

• Allows you to choose which individual student's parents you would like to recieve that message.
• You can search for students by name or you can select all.

Make SURE that you are ready to hit SEND:

• Parents will recieve this as a text message
• You cannot unsend or delete these messages
• These texts go to parents only, not students.

Add Items

Use these icons to add content to your messages. Files, Images, Links to Google Drives, and Polls are all available options.

A great presentation...

• It is clear and structured
• Tells stories hierarchically.
• Matches your audience.
• Adapts fonts and color to the theme.
• Includes images and entertains.
• Represents data with graphics.
• Uses timelines.
• Is animated and interactive.
• Excites the brain, through multimedia elements.
• DOES NOT overdo it with bullet points 🙃​.

A great presentation...

• It is clear and structured
• Tells stories hierarchically.
• Matches your audience.
• Adapts fonts and color to the theme.
• Includes images and entertains.
• Represents data with graphics.
• Uses timelines.
• Is animated and interactive.
• Excites the brain, through multimedia elements.
• DOES NOT overdo it with bullet points 🙃​.