The most interesting piece of technology I see used daily, hourly, even by the minute is text messaging. Oddly enough, this past Monday I realized that I can utilize the "group" function in my blackberry address book in order to store multiple phone numbers at once. I hope to offer classroom updates through text messaging updates. Students and an increasing amount of adults today are utilizing text messaging thanks to its convenience. The inconvenience of leaving a voice mail is no more. Here are a few of the biggest advantages of texting over conventional phone conversation.
1) Phone calls can come at any time as can text messages, however, with phone calls, immediate response is necessary in order to communicate to the person calling you. However, with texting, you do not have to drop what you are doing that instant, you can finish peeling that potato or whatever else you are doing, then pick the phone and respond via text.
2) When you are in an area where your cell phone does not receive service, a text message appears the moment your phone enters an area with service. You do not need to dial your voice mail at all, simply click on your messages and view.
3) The annoyance of waiting for someone to finish their verbal conversation, texting remains less intrusive and more polite while speaking or engaging in a group of people.
Now, I would really like to see the education world hone in on the idea of text messaging for students within their lessons as well as be utilized for a means of increased communication. One of my goals, is to provide active weekly updates, or even daily updates for homework assignments, etc. Through the group listing in the address book, I can send one text message that reaches numerous people. I am going to begin encouraging my parents to sign up for this service (provided they have a text messaging plan).
Those are my thoughts!
-Jack
Brilliant Jack! I like the way you think. Whenever I collaborate on a project, I would much prefer to get a text for simple updates or reminders than have to interrupt what I am doing to have a person to person exchange, especially when there are a number of people on the project that need to get the same info.
ReplyDeleteWe have used the group texting feature to give updates to all crew members on a video shoot at once if we have to change the start time or update the address of a location. Much easier than having to call everyone on the crew!
I can really see how this can be used for education as well. I like your idea about texting students and parents with updates on homework and due dates for projects. I think some parents won't be up to date on the technology yet, but others will love it.
Great post,
Julie G.
Great ideas! It is definitely an emerging technology! Soon educators will see the value of text messaging with students and parents. :o)
ReplyDeleteWe currently send homework and other information through e-mailto our parents. The parents seem very willing to sign up, but many of them do not take time to pull up the e-mail when they get home to know what to help their kids with. I can see how texting would work so much better. I know many people that actually do not own computers or do not have interenet access, but I can not name anyone that does not have a cell phone without capabilities for text messaging. This may be an idea I will utilize next year.
ReplyDeleteI agree with how the text messaging can save time and allow you to not get stuck in an unwanted conversation. But I must admit, I enjoy a real conversation verses text messaging.
Kelli