Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Connect with Students via Text Using Class Parrot

ClassParrot was my Twitter gem for the day! ClassParrot allows you to text all of your students at once for FREE! Set up is simple and you will be up and running in minutes.  See slide show for details.

To get started, here is what you need to do. First, create an account and set up a class. Then, have kids text to join the class with the code ClassParrot provides. The dashboard in ClassParrot makes it simple to send your 135 character message to your class of students. I created my account and have given it a try. I LOVE it!

I see the communication potential as being HUGE using this tool. Most kids prefer a text to an e-mail, so this is the perfect way to get a message and reminders your students who are connected to their phone like fingers are their hands. The fun part is that the cell phone numbers are organized into classes by ClassParrot AUTOMATICALLY. This is the first tool for organizing and sending multiple messages via text that I have found to be so user friendly. ClassParrot is to text messaging what groups are to e-mail addresses!
In addition, you can pre-load your texts to be delivered at a certain time and date.  You can sit down and put in all the reminders at one time and kick back while the system does the work for you!

Invite other teachers to join ClassParrot with your invitations. Each time a teacher signs up, you both get credits that allow you to text for free!  If you want unlimited texting with your students for the year, it is $9/month or $90 for the year! Check it out at http://classparrot.com and see what you think! 

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