TalkingPoints provides built-in support when families or teachers need additional help to understand a message they receive - beyond translation.
For back-to-school 2024, TalkingPoints has released enhanced features to provide even more built-in support for families and teachers and we will continue to evolve these supports over time based on partner feedback.
FAQs
When will the enhancements be available?
These enhanced messaging supports were released in May 2024.
How do families and staff access these enhanced messaging supports?
These support options can be accessed by selecting the “?” icon next to a received message in the TalkingPoints app.
Are the new supports also available for SMS text messages?
No. Family contacts receiving SMS text messages will not have these same messaging supports. They are only available via the TalkingPoints Families app. Always encourage families to utilize the TalkingPoints app when possible to take advantage of advanced features and supports.
What are the messaging support options that families may encounter in the app?
Families using the TalkingPoints Families app may see the following options or actions when they select the “?” Icon next to a message. The options seen by families vary based on their language preference.
“See Original Message in English”
This option will display the original message from the teachers, staff, school, or district in English.
“Explain This Message”
Since there may be a number of reasons, beyond the translation, that the received message is not clear - such as the use of an acronym, lack of context, unclear understanding of some terms used in the US education system - this option will provide an explanation of the selected message with added context to help better explain what the message is about. The added contextual information will likely result in a longer message that may include definitions of common education terms and acronyms (PTA, for example) with explanations in the contact’s designated language. The message may also include suggestions for when to reply to the teacher for clarification or additional information.
If the explanation is helpful, families can choose to rate it with a thumbs up, or close the message and continue the conversation with the teacher, staff, or school.
When the Explain this Message action is selected the original message will remain after the explanation is closed.
Family View: Explain This Message Example
“Request New Translation”
Selecting this option will send the original message for human translation. The human translation reviewer may be able to spot grammatical or spelling errors plus they can understand the context that may have been missing from the original message.
What are the messaging support options that staff may encounter in their app?
Within the TalkingPoints application, teachers or staff receiving a message may see the following option or action when they select the “?” Icon next to a message.
“Help Me Understand”
When the staff member hovers over the ? icon next to the received message it will show the text “Help me Understand”. If selected, the following steps will occur.
The original message will be reviewed to correct grammar and spelling as needed and then the updated message will be re-translated and displayed for the teacher to review.
If the retranslation does not clarify the meaning of the message and the staff member still needs help understanding, they can opt to send the message for human review and translation. The human translation reviewer may be able to understand the context that may have been missing from the original message.
School View Example
School View Example
“Show Original Message”
This option will display the original, pre-translated message from the contact. Staff can choose this option by selecting the translation icon next to the message.
School View example
Are all of these messaging supports new to the TalkingPoints apps?
No. Many of these supports have already been in place. The biggest enhancement is the introduction of the “Explain This Message” functionality.
What languages have the “Explain This Message ” support available?
This support is initially available for the following languages. TalkingPoints will continue to evaluate usage, need, and feasibility for this support in additional languages in the future.
Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Vietnamese
Prerequisite: contacts must have the latest version of the TalkingPoints Family App, v4.2342.1 or newer.