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
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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.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 [email protected] (email)twitter.com/jrhode (twitter)jasonrhode.com (blog)niu.edu/jrhode (web)815.209.9783 (phone)
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j.mp/aln2011sms
