Texting as a Learning Tool

 Texting is the most preferred way to communicate. Not only can you text a single person, but you can create group chats, which allows the sender to send a message to multiple people. Teachers may find group chats extremely beneficial in communicating with their classroom. 

"Texting and "text speak" can be used to help build foundational reading skills, such as word recognition and phonological awareness. It can also be used to generate discussions around formal and informal language and writing for different tasks, audiences, and purposes, all of which are necessary skills for meeting College and Career Readiness Standards in reading, writing, language, and speaking and listening." (AIR, 2014)

Text messages can be used as appointment reminders, and teachers can use text to send links to quizzes, polls, and questions that may need feedback. In the age of apps, some apps, such as REMIND, allow for text messaging for students that simply go through the app, and students will not have to give their personal numbers to anyone. This eliminates any anxiety a parent may have about their child giving out their cell phone number to strangers. 

References: 

Center for Technology Implementation. (2014). Using texting to promote learning and literacy. Washington, DC: American Institutes for Research.