About a month ago, I wrote about introducing the idea of mobile alerts into my classroom. Today, Connee left a comment on that post, along with some good ideas for using the two services I mentioned, which reminded me to post an update.
After that post, I set up a survey on the class website to get students’ thoughts about using one or both of these services. Here are the results:
Do you think having a way to get alerts and reminders on your phone is a good idea?
Yes = 77%
No = 23%Would you prefer a one-way system (only the teacher sends alerts; no one can reply) or a two-way system (anyone can send/reply to the group)?
Two-Way = 60%
One-Way = 40%
Given that, we (myself and a few other teachers) have decided to set up LoopNote “loops” for the AP 11 and AP 12 students on a completely opt-in basis. Those who want to receive any alerts we might send (important announcements or reminders only) can join the appropriate “loop.”
We’ve also decided to use iTexter for an upcoming field trip to New York City. All the students will have the cell phone numbers of the chaperones and the other members of their groups (we’re breaking them into groups of ten). They will also have to program the number of their group’s chaperone into their phone. We’ll also set up an iTexter number for everyone on the trip and ask them to program that number into their phones in case anyone (student or chaperone) needs to let everyone else know something.
Seems like good ideas. If we have any phenomenal or dreadful results, I’ll let you know.
Mon, Feb 19, 2007
Education