Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Remind - Stay Connected with Parents with Ease

Remind - Stay Connected with Parents and Students with Ease

Remind (formerly Remind 101) is not new but is taking American Teachers by storm!  Remind has become the number one choice by teachers in the US to communicate with parents.


Teachers can send messages such as homework and test prep reminders, notes of encouragement or congratulations, photographs depicting an activity that the class engaged in that day, quick surveys about a recent school activity or assignment, and weather or venue updates. Remind even has an easy to use app for both iOS and Android.

Setup is very easy and available in TEXT and EMAIL formats.  ONE WAY COMMUNICATION.  Remind also falls in line with the Canadian Legislation on Anti-Spam as REMIND works on a Opt In model which requires Students and Parents to choose to accept the messages AND gives them a vehicle to STOP the messages.

Below is an example of a handout generated for you that could go home with your students.  I received one these on the 1st day of school and as you might have guessed I loved it. Way to go Mr. Hooper.  You can opt in using a Number through texting, the QR code, and email.

Texting is the New Email:

Texts are what people read.  Spam and access have caused Email to become less efficient.

6 Billion Phones VS 3.6 Billion Email Accounts

http://www.textmarketer.co.uk/blog/2013/09/sms-marketing-ideas/mobile-vs-email-statistics-infographic/

This infographic displaying U.K. texting habits says it all:

  • Texts are read emails .... not so much
  • Most Parents will have a cell within arms reach.

http://www.textmarketer.co.uk/blog/2013/09/sms-marketing-ideas/mobile-vs-email-statistics-infographic/


Teachers:
  • updates on homework
  • class / school events
  • reminders - Picture Day
Coaches:
  • Practice Times
  • Game changes such as time and location
  • reminders about uniforms or other items needed
  • Uniform collection
  • Tournaments
Administrators:
  • efficient way to communicate with staff if they were interested
  • parent communication of school calendar and major dates
  • reminders of PD days / Picture Day / Fund Raisers

Remind is free to teachers.  Remind has a very easy to use interface and will allow for different class setups and groups.

Try it out!  If you are using REMIND we would love to hear from you.  Please comment on our blog.


1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The teacher for my daughter in Grade 4 uses Remind and the teacher for my Daughter in Grade 1 uses remind. As a Parent I absolutely love the ability to receive text messages with what is going on in the classroom or reminders about certain activities or upcoming tests.

Sam

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