With so many forms of readily available, inexpensive (or free) communications methods available, why does it seem like our ensemble members are less informed than ever? Maybe it has to do with the constant state of distraction that so many of us seem to constantly be in. Or the nagging sense that we should always be doing more with less time... at any rate, I have been searching for some way to reach all my students and parents no matter what. I have tried email, which works for some people- but some do not check their email very often, especially if they do not use it for work. Students in particular, often have email addresses they use for creating online accounts, but they either never check it or they created the email and promptly forgot the password and never use it. In some cases it isn't even a real email address!
Social media can be a good tool as well, but again you face the same hurdles, as well as some additional ones. Not everyone uses it, some people use different platforms, some people do not have access, and the number of different social media iterations makes it hard to know which one will reach which people, and time consuming to create and maintain accounts on all of them.
For many years I manually created email lists, and did my own distribution list. But I knew I was only reaching a small portion of my people, as many did not have email, or never read it. Pretty much everyone has a cell phone, but some do not have "smart" phones and can only get SMS text messages. It would be possible to collect cell numbers and make a mass texting lists, but then everyone would receive all the messages and replies, and some people might not want others to see their cell number. Plus, the inherent risks of students (and even parents) having a teacher's personal cell number.
Remind takes all of this into account and has created the perfect means for teachers, coaches or activity directors to contact all their people via cell phone. If you want to, you can receive messages via an app, email, or through simple text messaging. Directors can add members through inputting their phone number or email, or members can add themselves through a web link, or by texting a code to a number. You can send images, emojii, links, etc. as well, although they do not seem to work for the plain texting recipients. Messages need to be fairly short as well, but a handy counter keeps track of how many characters you have left.
I started using Remind just a few months ago and it has been a game-changer for me! While in the past a few students and parents have emailed questiosn to me, it has been great to know that should they have a question they can ask me from their phone, and I can respond, all without having to worry about exchanging personal cell numbers. Remind tracks all conversations for security purposes. I can have students sign up in class by texting the code to the set-up number, or I can email or post the sign-up link on my website.
I look forward to using this tool in my classroom to help with parent and student engagement!
