Text Messaging in Online Teaching

An Online Educator’s Journey :: @jrhode

FactsSources

October, 2011 ECAR National Study of Undergraduate Students and IThttp://educause.edu/ecar

September 19, 2011 report by Pew Internet and American Life Project http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Cell-Phone-Texting-2011.aspx

April 20, 2010 report by Pew Internet and American Life Project http://pewinternet.org/Reports/2010/Teens-and-Mobile-Phones.aspx

June 17, 2010 Wired Campus Report http://chronicle.com/blogs/wiredcampus/student-smartphone-use-doubles-instant-

messaging-loses-favor/248762

75% of 12-17 year-olds own cell phonesPhoto credit: flickr.com/photos/librarianguish/4594070690

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• fdsa

50% of teens send 50 or more text messages a day; 30% send more than 100 texts a day

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/yourdon/3478186431

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• gfds

99.8% of college students own one or more cell phones5

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/yourdon/4303061929

• Nm,

53% of phone-owning students have smartphones6

Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/danzen/4387877247

• fda

97% of students use text messaging as their main form of communication

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Photo credit: flickr.com/photos/irisheyes/5431140

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31% of U.S. adults prefer to be reached by text messagePhoto credit: http://mashable.com/2011/09/19/31-of-u-s-adults-prefer-to-be-reached-by-text-message-study/?

t=1320241180

Image credit: educause.edu/studentsAndTechnologyInfographic

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Google Voice

voice.google.com10

google.com/googlevoice/about.html11

Google Voice App

12google.com/mobile/voice

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List of SMS Gateways

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_SMS_gateways15

Student Option to Opt-in

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Review of Email-to-SMS Steps

1) Setup Google Voice account & installed GV app on my phone

2) Gave students my Google Voice number3) Invited students to opt-in to receiving sms

communications, requesting their mobile number and provider

4) Created sms list with gateway email addresses5) Sent welcome text via Google Voice

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Twitter

twitter.com/ionsn111122

Remind101.com

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My Experience

jasonrhode.com/howtosms26

Feedback from Students

• Results of surveys of students during summer and fall 2011

• Total of 27 students (all graduate students) responded from across 3 different course sections

• Survey conducted as a Google Form at the end of each the course

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Comments on Podcasting

• “Loved that there was also a written copy - if I couldn't listen to it , I could still get the info.”

• “Being able to hear and read the weekly messages was very helpful for me as I am audio learner! It was helpful to have them in print to look back on, but the spoken messages were wonderful!”

• “I liked the podcasts. It was more entertaining to hear someone else's voice other than my own in my head while reading it.”

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More Podcasting Comments

• “I feel that your use of podcasting addressed different learning styles. I could listen and read your assignments. Also, I found your podcast and videos very helpful when I had to learn how to use a new form of technology such as Twitter, Social Bookmarking and Blogs. Thanks for showing how to do things instead of only reading how to do it.”

• “It's a really nice option to have.” 33

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Comments on Text Messaging

• “It was helpful when the text information was also on blackboard. I found it helpful to see the information in two places.”

• “I still had to go online to see if I had grades, assignments, or email even when I did not receive a text.”

• “Texting was a nice reminder about when Modules started and were due. Sometimes you just cannot get to a computer to check your email frequently.”

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More Texting Comments

• “I thought it was very helpful, it reminded me to look at blackboard for the modules.”

• “My current plan is a two year contract with a pay per use text and mobile Internet option”

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General Findings Thus Far

• Majority of students who opted-in responded that they’ve found text messages helpful

• Majority of students with text message capabilities stated they’d be likely to opt-in to receive text messaging course updates in future

• Only a few have sent text messages to instructor• Automated service like remind101.com is easier

for instructor than manual process sending via email

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Questions?

• Any questions? Feel free to ask during our session, or tweet @jrhode following the session

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Presenter Contact Info

Jason Rhodejrhode@niu.edu (email)twitter.com/jrhode (twitter)jasonrhode.com (blog)niu.edu/jrhode (web)815.209.9783 (phone)

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j.mp/aln2011sms