Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Texting 4 Class?

Wordle: texting 4 class

Tool: MASS TEXTING- I started mass texting my students this year to communicate important class information such as reminders for tests, project deadlines, study tips and other announcements. To do this I....
  • sent out a parental permission form which gave both students and parents the option of signing up for the texts.
  • added each student and parent as a contact in my cell phone.
  • set up groups within my cell phone based on the class period that the student was in.
  • started sending out mass texts to the groups I had set up.
** I know this process/way may not work for everyone based on your phone type, phone carrier or comfortability using your personal phone. However, there are some other ways to implement this tool such as using Google Voice or Microsoft Outlook (Thanks to Kevin Bals and his blog post on Using Microsoft Outlook for Texting Reminders to Students.. for showing me this method!).

Results/Reflections: I know the first thing everyone is probably thinking is that I must have received some inappropriate texts from students. That is not the case! Actually, I have not received any. I am amazed at the positive student and parent feedback I have received so far. Students really like receiving the reminders via text, since they almost always have their phones with them or nearby. It is an effective way of communicating important info, especially outside of the school day. Additionally, parents have told me that the mass texts are great for keeping up with what is going on in class and helps them to check in with their son/daughter to ensure they are turning in assignments, meeting deadlines, etc. I definitely plan to continue the practice of mass texting students and their parents in the future.

3 comments:

  1. I think students today use their cellphones the way I used to use a calendar--a way to keep assignment/responsibilities organized. I hardly ever write anything down anymore, but I DO use my cellphone, my itouch, and the "to do" list on Outlook to keep myself organized.
    Faye

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  2. Great post! I was wondering if you used any type of student/parent permission slip before beginning texting students with classroom reminders. I have been texting parents with reminders for the past 4 years with great success, but was wondering what the implications or problems might be if I began texting students. I teach 8th grade and you teach high school so I'm working with a slightly younger demographic. Thoughts or suggestions?

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  3. Yes, I do use a permission slip that I give out at the beginning of the school year along with my rubric. It contains information on why and how we will be using texting for class purposes.

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