[sjg007]

I would like something that increases parental involvement or at least oversight of their kids. 1:1s and close contact with your manager or team in problem solving is invaluable. What does that mean in the context of a classroom? Is it valuable? Teachers probably have 120 kids at some level so it may not scale.. And I think it's to early or weird to have kids participate in a stand up but an app to help parents understand what kids are working on and how they can help would be interesting. How can you improve the feedback loops. I think kids hit critical periods where they don't understand something and may not have the skills necessary to solve so providing some sort of peer pair (programming?) may help? Maybe start this in AP CS or a high school programming class or something and see if it is effective.

The other idea is work/life balance for kids in school. How do you monitor that and help them? I think kids have more energy but at the same time need downtime etc.. What does that mean in the context of education etc..?

[jeffmould]

My fiance's children just started in a new school system and they use an app called ClassDojo that is intended to increase involvement between teachers, parents, and the students. At any given time, my fiance can login, see photos of what the kids are doing in class, send/receive messages with the teacher(s), check grades/assignments. Compared to their previous school system, the level of involvement is beyond compare. Her son who is in middle school also uses an app called Remind that has all the assignments and communication between parent/teacher/student on specific assignments.

[2arrs2ells]

ClassDojo and Remind are both alumni of ImagineK12/YC Education!

[jeffmould]

I can't speak from personal experience, but based on my fiance's feedback they are great tools!

[germinalphrase]

Canvas/Schoology/Others provide parents with the opportunity to monitor student assignments and grades.

The problem with parental involvement is (usually) the desire to participate rather than opportunity.

[christudor]

You might also say it contributes to social inequality by prioritising students who have parents who are willing and able to help with homework, which won't be the students from the lowest-income backgrounds.