Ed Tech Tips with E. Mosier
Make your classroom more Efficient!
Messaging Apps to Communicate with Parents
Overview
If you haven't heard by now, Verizon has raised the rates on the Remind text messaging service so much, that Remind might have to resort to cutting off any Verizon customer from receiving their messages, which will take effect January 28, unless an agreement is reached. The rate hike would be similar to what companies that send spam get charged. You may have even seen the hashtags floating around Twitter, #NotSpam and #ReverseTheFee. So, what if a deal doesn't get signed? What if Remind is forced to discontinue its partnership with Verizon? What are some other ways teachers can easily communicate with parents in much the same way they do now, without being able to use Remind to reach each and every parent, regardless of service provider? Each of the following tools could be alternatives to use, and best of all, they're free!
ClassTag
ParentSquare
SchoolCNXT
Bloomz
Perhaps the closest thing to Remind is Bloomz. This has all of the same features as Parent Square, except one feature that is exemplified is the ability to send messages to parents, such as Remind does. Another distinct feature, which is similar to what Class Dojo offers, is the "Class Moment" option. This allows teachers to snap pictures of their students at work, or with their projects and share those out through the app using Bloomz.
Class Messenger
Contact Mr. Mosier!
Email: mosiere@davenportschools.org
Website: www.davenportschools.org/sudlow
Location: Sudlow Intermediate School, East Locust Street, Davenport, IA, United States
Phone: 563-445-5150
Twitter: @emosier3