Catherine Horton Flippen is a foreign language and fine arts teacher at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia. She is an educational technology evangelist, effective digitized pedagogy integrator, and all-around technophile. You can follow her on Twitter (twitter.com/CatFlippen), read her blog Ctrl+Alt+Teach (www.ctrlaltteach.com), and browse her digital footprint (about.me/CatFlippen).
I’ve been a victim of communication failure. So has most every other educator I know. It’s practically a pandemic taking over our email and snail mail and leading to even more time spent outside of the classroom desperately trying to reach students and parents. Take, for example, the following scenes from a particular school day that I have experienced at least twice any given semester:
2nd Period Student: “Sorry I’m late. I didn’t know our class had moved. You can’t mark me tardy.”
Teacher: “You should have remembered. I wrote it on the board and reminded you at the end of class. Now you’ve missed the main instruction, and I’ll have to repeat everything again.”
Group of Students in Every Class: “We have a test? You didn’t tell us we had a test!”
Teacher: “Well, it’s been on the class calendar online, and I mentioned it yesterday in class. You all should have written it down in your agenda.”
Parent Email at the End of the School Day: “I didn’t know my child had a big project due / needed to bring something to class. She needs an extension / to be excused from the activity / should get an automatic 100%.”
Teacher: “I posted information on my website and even sent a letter home three weeks ago. Don’t you check my website and didn’t you receive the letter?”
Sound familiar? Just thinking about it makes me shudder. Every educator puts forth so much effort into making calendars, sending home information, and emailing notifications that it becomes a huge disappointment when parents and students are clearly not using your resources. Throw in phone logs, email difficulties and masses of paperwork, and I’m on the verge of bypassing important teacher-parent and teacher-student communication in lieu of spending my time doing even more important things like, you know, grading and planning.
Thankfully, I’ve discovered a communication revolution following on the footsteps of the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) and Mobile Learning movements: TEXT MESSAGING. No, not the kind that requires your phone number to be shared among adolescents and teenagers (and the potential mess involved with that scenario), but the kind that is FREE, SECURE, and even DOES THE WORK FOR YOU. No actual phone numbers are exchanged, no personal information is shared, messages can be scheduled in advance, and every message you send out is recorded on the Remind101 website for professional and legal reference.
Thanks to Remind101, I’ve been able to circumvent communication failure so far this semester. My students are still talking about how awesome it is to receive messages from their teacher. They come to my class prepared and on time more regularly than I have ever experienced. Parents have told me that they enjoy feeling more “in the know” of what their student is doing in my class. And after I shared Remind101 with other foreign language teachers at Mill Creek High School in Hoschton, Georgia, the entire department adopted the practice en masse.
My classes are heavily integrated with educational technology, so we are often in a computer lab two to three times per week and sometimes on short notice. I send out frequent messages to each subject I teach to remind them at least twice of our relocation beforehand.
So, why use Remind101 when other SMS options are available? Remind101 was the only one with the easiest user interface as well as simple sign up instructions, e-mail option for those without mobile devices, unlimited texts, up to 10 groups, and amazing one-on-one assistance availability. This service was the best for teachers with extensive technological experience as well as teachers skeptical or unsure of using mobile technology in association with their classes.
Harnessing the power of mobile devices and Web 2.0 communication can connect teachers with students and parents more readily than email, static websites, and send-home paper notifications, and that connection makes your class more relevant and accessible to a generation of students attached to their cell phones and smart technology. Seeing as Remind101 makes text messaging so simple and secure, everyone should be utilizing this resource in their classes. Maybe one day we will see the end of frustrating communication failures and teachers will have one less thing to worry about during their busy days.
(Ironically, just as I finished writing this blog post, a student approached me and asked, “Mrs. Flippen, how do I sign up for that text message thingy?” Even teenagers who are initially unsure eventually see the usefulness of Remind101!)
This is a guest post by Craig Nobiling, a high school social studies teacher from Chadron, Nebraska. You can reach him @Craignobiling or email craig.nobiling@chadronschools.net
What's your background?
I teach upper-level (grades11 and 12) Social Science courses (Psychology, Sociology & US Government) at Chadron High School in Chadron, NE. Chadron is located in the extreme northwest corner of Nebraska; it is also the home of Chadron State College.
I've been in education for nearly 20 years and have seen MANY changes in curriculum and protocol as well as technological advances in this time. Most certainly so in the last 10 years, with the expansion of the internet, the introduction of social networking across the spectrum and their consequent integration into our classrooms.
Cellphones in the classroom. Toy...
Most traditional schools and experienced educators cringe at the thought of introducing a phone into the classroom. Cellphones are not highly regarded in the educational arena because they are seen as a "toy." Texting and gaming are not part of the educational environment - at least until now. There are literally thousands of educational "games" that engage the new "screen-agers" of today. A visual and interaction-based generation has been born since the turn of the century. And as educators, we can either fight it or be willing to understand and utilize its ever-growing capabilities WITH the students. With those thoughts in mind, Brett Kopf and his team of creators of Remind101 have assisted educators in kindly reminding our cellphone-toting students (and their parents) to complete their work and study for upcoming exams.
What do you think of remind101?
I am currently underway in my second semester as a novice Remind101-user, and thus far I am extremely pleased with its ease of use and simplicity. What two better ways to entice tech-shy educators (with ease of use & simplicity?) coupled with the safety and security of keeping cell numbers private. It's a teacher's dream, of sorts, of making sure everyone (with a phone) gets equal notification of due dates, meetings, events, etc. So far every student in my classes has a cellphone with texting capabilities.
What messages do you send home?
I use it to send homework & exam reminders, as well as upcoming academic and school-wide events. The response so far has been very positive from the students, mainly because I set most of the texts to be sent immediately when school dismisses so they don't forget to take their materials home. I particularly like the scheduling feature for this very fact - so the students can walk out of the building with all of their materials- and I don't have to send that notification at the same moment.
...A pioneer?
Since I am the first teacher in our district to utilize mobile phones, it has been an experiment to say the least. I was encouraged by both our building and technology administrators to challenge both the students and my comfort zone in regards to the phones. I had to establish clear cut responsibilities and consequences for their use and misuse. So far - the only consequences I've had to administer is a friendly reminder to keep them out at the corner of their tables. That phone is as tempting to them as a King Size Snickers bar would be for me sitting out there!
Quick Google searches and fact clarifications have been used so far in the class as well as setting calendars and schedules for city/school board meetings, college representative visitations, ACT tests/deadlines, and the like. Since I have mainly junior and seniors it is truly like speaking to adults and treating them that way. I know there will be glitches, but as my Principal Jerry Mack has noted, "you will have failures, and glitches to work out, but I want to test the waters." So far, so good...WE have learned together in this process - meaning the students and me. I have learned more from them regarding the different phones (iPhones vs Droid-based systems) and their app's. I have benefited from their assistance as well, which makes it that much more rewarding in the end for both of us.
What do students say?
I want to expand my knowledge and minimize my fear by further integrating them into my subjects. This will just take time - and if they(my students) are patient with me it should benefit the classes as a whole. It is amazing how the students take even more ownership of the class by helping me - and I think they like the fact that these "tools" can FINALLY be used IN school - without fear of confiscation. Hopefully the "anti-cellphone directives" can be re-written with proper guidelines by our schools and students can responsibly use them in the classroom.
(We didn't pay him to say this!)
I am excited and anticipate the Remind101 teams expansion of this program in the future. I have spoken directly with Brett and have expressed my successes and questions with the program and he listened genuinely. I wish other creators would "put themselves out there" when their product hits the market. Thank you Brett for a product that truly makes education easier for me AND my students.
If any teacher wants to get in touch with me my email address is below as well as the school's phone number - who knows maybe we can talk as a "class" and I could let my class tell you how well it works!
Here is a sampling of the messages that I've sent home in the past few days:
Soc1a, Soc1b
1A&1B We'll have a speaker in class Thur from CSC Admissions Office;assignment is still due(pg10 1&2)upon arrival 2 class;Handout due Friday
sent to 28 people 5 days ago
Soc1a, Soc1b
1A&1B Ques 1&2 pg 10 due Thur; GoogleDoc/Word or Email ONLY - NOT handwritten!
sent to 28 people 5 days ago
Soc1a, Soc1b
1A/1B Don't forget your Study of Soc Handout is due 2morrow & it is "Habitude Friday"as well-all you need is a highlighter&pen/pencil
sent to 28 people 4 days ago
Soc1a, Gov2, Gov3, Soc1b
ALL CLASSES-don't 4get the Financial Aid Mtg in the HS Auditorium Tonight@6:30pm-Xtra Credit for my classes-bring ur parent(s)&ur questions!
sent to 57 people 6 days ago
"You can take me out of the lab but you cant take the lab out of me"
How are teachers using remind101 and what do they think? Shawna did a great screencast on remind101, this is a follow up. If you'd like to be featured email contact@remind101.com!
I teach High School Math (Geometry up through Calculus) at St. Marys High School in St. Marys,Kansas.
I heard about remind101 from a classmate of mine during an online meeting of a graduate class. He mentioned it in passing and I thought it sounded great so I looked into it. I started using remind101 as a way to bring the everyday technology students use into my classes. I think it is a great way to remind kids of events coming up. I asked the students before I started if this was something that would interest them, and they responded very excitedly that is was. Initially I thought I would remind them about tests and quizzes, but eventually it evolved to changing due dates, omitting questions from homework, and handing out class feedback on tests and quizzes (ie: averages, etc). The students are really appreciating this tool.
I have not opened this to parents yet. I wanted to test run with students before I invited parents to join. Also talking from some parents, the age of students I teach, we want them to learn responsibility and so parents are glad they are receiving texts but don’t necessarily want to join in.
There are many times as a teacher where I have thought, “Oh wait, I wanted them to skip this problem,” or “I’m not going to put this on the quiz since they didn’t seem to understand it,” and I have wanted to relay this to students. Remind101 is an easy way to do this. Even students who are not signed up will hear through the grapevine from those who are about changes. The students admitted to being confused when the first message came through. “Why is Mrs. O’Halloran texting me and how did she get my number?” Then students look at the message and remember. This has cut down the “I forgot” excuse from students. I still hear it, just not as much.
For any teachers interested in remind101, I suggest just trying it. I’m still learning and it is sometimes hard for me to remember to send the messages, but I am getting better. I helped students sign up in my classroom. For the first time, I told students if they were interested to get out their phones and they were going to “text” in my class. They were giddy with excitement. Just this reaction is enough for me to know that I did the right thing. They see me as someone who utilizes the technology they love. They know it is not a common practice and they still are not to randomly text in my class, but that one day was exciting.
I pulled the directions up on the overhead and had students sign up during class. As many teachers know, it is surprising the questions you hear from students. My students text everyday, but still when they received the text back asking for their name, they asked me what they supposed to type. I told them, “Just what it says, your name.” It is days like these that makes teaching fun. For students who were absent, if they wanted to sign up, I helped them do it in a spare minute. There are directions to print off, but I did not use these. When and if I invite parents, then these directions will be useful. I think at parent-teacher conferences, would be a great time to help parents sign up.
The one thing I would like to see from remind101 is a mobile page. Like students, we live with our phones. I will be out doing something and remember that I need to send the messages and it is hard from the full page on a cell phone. Sometimes I think having students able to text back would be nice, but then I think about it again and decide that they can call or email if necessary. I would like to see the ability to text just one of the members of class. There have been a couple times where I want to remind a students to come in before school for extra help, but can’t. Overall, remind101 is great. I would recommend this to teachers. I know there have been times where you may think, “Oh, I wish I would have told them this.” This can fix that. Meet them on their technology level and the response is amazing.
We're working on a mobile site as we speak! As always, remember that typical messaging rates apply and always consult with parents before using remind101 with students. Leave a comment or email contact@remind101.com with any questions!
