The document discusses various ways that educational institutions are using text messaging tools (txttools) to communicate with and support students. Some examples mentioned include: 1. Sending course information, alerts, and reminders to students via text. 2. Using text messaging for feedback, interactive lectures, disability assistance, and reporting issues like bullying. 3. Integrating text tools with other media like websites, blogs, and podcasts.

1. Integrating txttools for better communication in education Steve Sidaway Cy-nap Ltd [email_address] www.txttools.co.uk

2. How are txttools being used? Provide course information Mentoring Alert to check email or website Provide content services Deliver RSS feeds by text Report bullying or offences Assistance for staff and students with disabilities Inbound questions for tutors Feedback on lectures, ideas or projects Use inbox as a message board Contact students in workplace Interactive use in lectures/voting Part of Disaster Recovery plans Integration with all other media

4. Set up auto-responders in inbox rules:

5. Use SMS as a gateway to link to other media including: The Money Doctors Project. You Tube Animated Forms Blogs Podcasts Download Brian Hipkin’s presentation from the Leeds edutxt conference

6. How are txttools being used? Learner Involvement Strategy Contact late/missing students Exam reminders Cancelled classes Motivational messages Overdue library books Start dates and times Appointments with tutors Assignment deadline reminders Events information Enrichment reminders EMA attendance reminders Students registering by text Text in for help and advice

7. Interactive messaging - using keywords Bus Campaign Bus Marketing mark English eng Science sci Train Campaign Train Student Services ss Administration admin Maths maths Dedicated number 0793 908 1424 88020

8. TEXTING TO A SHORTCODE Text the keyword STEVE followed by your first name or a question to 88020

9. Using SMS for social inclusion and delivery of of advice

10. Text: Admissions To 07624803356 ( texts cost your normal text rate )

11. Creating your own inbox rules with keywords

12. inbox options: filter, forward, add to group and auto response

13. Message archive - full audit trail

14. Phase two - delivering links to podcast content via RSS2SMS

16. txteditor - deliver text courses, capture RSS feeds and deliver as text + text questions to web 2.0 services

17. Try it out - Send the following text message: YCCPodcast to 88020

18. Click on the link Download podcast Save on phone Open and play podcast

21. Poster from Chichester College

23. Best practice

24. Which staff use texting Retention officer Tutors Learning Support Admissions Exams Faculty administrators Anyone who wants it!

25. Projects Student Union Elections Three voting methods Text Ballot Moodle (choice) Student Services Appointments Students make an appointment at Student Services reception desk – perhaps for Counselling, Connexions, Welfare and Accommodation…. All appointments booked on TxtTools with “send on date” facility.

26. How Salisbury College do it… Text numbers captured at enrolment Exclusive use of key words Message forwarded to appropriate staff Available to any staff who require it Staff become familiar with technology Costs are negligible – even with auto response Link with MIS Electronic registers arriving in September with “auto text”

27. Catching key word errors Auto respond all texts that have incorrect – or no Key Word All Key Words available on Student Intranet Typical errors, no space, dot or dash after key word

28. What are the cost benefits Retention of 14-19 year olds Lost 137 full time FE this year Recruited 100 more than last year Last year lost 180 students Most significant contributory factor is the Attendance and Retention Officer

29. Using Keywords with a Shortcode

30. “ Our open day exceeded all expectations – text messaging was the only new feature to our campaign and it made all the difference” – Lesley Whiting, Lincoln College Farnborough College, School visit promotion. Students sign up for text alerts by subject – college texts info. about courses, open days and registration deadlines Use text messaging throughout the School Liaison Process: Encourage Year 11’s to sign up for text updates on their chosen subjects

31. Sign up in school By supplying your data, and signing this form, you are consenting to the college holding and using this information about you. Further information from College Data Protection Officer 01252 407062.’ Join our FREE text messaging service designed with you in mind! First name……………………………………………………… Family name……………………………………………………. Mobile No……………………………………………………… Current school.……………………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………… Course/s applied for……………………………………. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

32. Stoke on Trent College – Don ’ t Stop Now – DSN Campaign Suite of Branded DSN information for students including: Application Guide Magazine Help card

33. DSN magazine feature DSN magazine includes many feature articles including: Meet the teachers Day in the life of … Top Tips £8 million investment in new buildings and equipment Guide to qualifications Apprenticeships ..helping you earn while you learn Text response mechanism integrated throughout

34. UWIC shortcode adverts - Millenniumn Stadium (Six Nations Rugby campaign)

36. London Metro newspaper advert

37. Part time Open Evening

45. free moodletxt plug-in single user Authentication uses moodle address book full functionality via moodle What’s New: www.moodletxt.co.uk

46. moodletxt within Moodle

50. Connectors for your own applications Email2txt XML API SOAP Connection

51. Not just in education: http://www.fife.gov.uk/doitonline/

54. Non emergency messaging facility for the Deaf Community https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/contact/plod/register/index.aspx • Personal safety messaging / competition entry for the Glastonbury Festival http://www.glastonburypolice.org Emergency incident messaging for partner agencies Marketing campaigns using keywords www.dantheburglar.org Avon and Somerset Police

55. The Benefits of Using text messaging Student centred communication Dramatically improves communication Quick, discreet, to the point and inexpensive Improves student motivation and retention Saves time and money – compare with post or telephone Social inclusion, students will feel more included in College events Contact any group or individual immediately Students can text in for help and advice Can be accessed anywhere – much like internet banking

56. Link to: Using sms to support teaching and learning in HE from University of Bath Reference resources

57. Hear user case studies and Best Practice examples at the next txttools conference in Glasgow Presentations for E-learning Student Support Marketing 23 September 2008