Using SMS (Text messaging)
Short Messaging Service (SMS) or text messaging has been available for a number of years and it has now become one of the most popular ways of text communication.
SMS or Text Messaging functionality can be found on many mobile devices. This can be used for learning in a number of ways including:
- encourages text communication between peers for opinion sharing, feedback or to request support.
- reflections and thoughts can be captured on a weblog using text and/or images
- interactive quizzes can offer SMS feedback
- a ‘treasure hunt’ activity can capture photos and text whilst ‘out and about’ using a web-based storage area or moblog.
- Sharing images of a personal project or artefact with peers increases self-esteem and confidence
- capturing images and video clips enable learner to record their progress, reflect and then share the files with peers and tutors.
There are many other creative ways of using SMS. One way is to encourage learners to ‘voice’ their opinions by sending a text to each other or to the tutor.
How To Text Message
Text messages can be added to a mobile blog by individuals or as a group activity. Quizzes can be devised to be read on a mobile phone/PDA phone and answers sent by text to the tutor for a text reply as feedback.
Tutors can also use SMS as a support mechanism. Group or Bulk SMS ( the same message to an indicated group of users) can keep a learning group supported and informed about homework, revision or useful ideas and reminders throughout holiday breaks. This type of regular contact helps learners with organisation and memory difficulties and can help motivate and retain the more anxious learners.
In Practice
Text and picture messaging can make fieldwork more accessible for wheelchair users. Different groups of learners work in different parts of the study area and keep in touch via SMS and picture messaging. A wheelchair user – working in the most accessible area - is as integrated into the group experience as the individual beaming pictures from the top of the waterfall. If the pictures and text are being sent to a Mediaboard or a mobile blog the group experience is captured for later discussion and reflection. Alistair McNaught, Senior Adviser, Techdis
In Practice
Leaf Systems Ltd specialise in ICT and e-learning resources for those working with offenders. Leaf, together with a range of partners, will deliver a multistream information advice service to offenders recently released from custody.
The information service is provided via interactive digital television channel, a website and SMS(text messaging) and by phone. Kickstart TV will deliver Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) on topics mapped to the 7 Pathways Model. A strand of their service will be an SMS service when offenders wanting information on a topic will text key words to a number and will receive the necessary information they require.
Bob Harrison e-learning consultant DfES Standards Unit: “txttools is an excellent, practical example of the use of text messaging in education”
In Practice
The University of Wolverhampton's MELaS project refines a sustainable institutional SMS strategy to improve retention and progression by extending and enriching the contact and support of students on- and off-campus. The strategy also provides content that complements other media and enables students to exploit ‘dead’ time and short periods off-campus, for example commuting or rest breaks at work. Read the JISC Report on the MELaS project which will end in 2008.
"If you're a teacher who wants to get in touch with your learners using SMS, and more importantly, to receive SMS from your students on the web why not try xlearn's service."
Txttools.co.uk provides an ‘education messaging community’ where you can manage, send and receive secure SMS text messages using a desktop computer.
Their ‘Keep Warm’ campaign suggest that learners can be supported from application to enrolment using regular text messages over a summer period for example, keeping the learner advised of start dates, tutor information and equipment required.
Why not be a Twitter friend and use the SMS service or the web to create and send messages to a discrete group?
TextMagic, a Windows based application that will turn your computer into a mobile phone so you can send and receive text messages.
Texting requires a new language and shorthand (emoticons) to show expressions and movements.
Create and send a text message using the emoticons in the aclearn.net's Texting Dictionary
'Mobile Messaging Technologies and Services: SMS, EMS and MMS' by Gwenael Le Bodic -ISBN: 0470011432
Cellphedia is a Mobile Social Software (MoSoSo) that promotes the sharing of knowledge. It’s the Wikipedia for mobile phones. It allows users to send and receive encyclopedia-type inquiries between specific, pre-defined groups of users, through Text messaging.
RSI danger from excessive texting
Take care! The BBC report shows how excessive texting can result in Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Quicklinks
In Practice
Using Text
Using Sound
Using Images
Using MMS (Images)
Using Planning Tools
Quizzes and Interactive activities
Out and About
Getting Connected
Other sections
Choose the Right Device
What to look for when buying the devices, reviews and suggestions
Technical Tips
Troubleshooting, software and hardware solutions
FAQs for Organisations
Issues and questions that organisations experience
Making it Accessible
Ways to use the technology accessibly
The Future
The changing world of handheld devices
Glossary
An a-z glossary of mobile technology terms