Tech Tip Tueday: Text your students

Here are three quick ways to blast text messages to students:

1. Sign up for a Google Voice account.  http://www.google.com/voice You can then use this account to send texts.  Google will give you a number online that will forward to your cell or you can manage it entirely online.  Students don't see  your cell phone number they see the Google Number. This one is great but could be a little harder to manage with large numbers of students.
2. Remind101 http://www.remind101.com A service that allows students to text a number to sign up for text alerts. Students never see the the teachers personal cell phone number but they can receive alerts about upcoming events.
3. Cel.ly http://cel.ly A service for SMS.  There is also an Android app.  The tools can also be managed via their website.  Students and parents can receive updates about what a teacher is doing in the classroom again all without the students getting the teachers personal number.

As with all things be sure to consider and abide by local policies and procedures regarding student:teacher interactions.