SMS in Education

Firefighters Offer Kids Text Bid to Cut Vandalism - Mar 10 2004

The Strathclyde Fire Brigade of Scotland is offering a mobile phone text message service to deter kids from hurling stones at firefighters, after 18 such incidents occured in the area in the last 12 months. Youngsters can access information and advice on health, drugs and social issues by texting a hotline number.

The Evening Times Online

Setting the Tone for a New Way to Learn - Feb 26 2004

Cellphones could soon become an unlikely teachersí ally thanks to an Edinburgh art tutorís brainwave, reports the Scotsman.com.

A new system using the same technology that allows people to download ringtones or get the latest football scores on their mobile, will allows pupils to do their homework using their Nokias and Ericssons.

Students will be able to receive information on particular subjects on their phones - helping them to get their studies done while they sit on the bus or walk down Princes Street on a Saturday afternoon.

"Pupils visiting, for example, the Duke of Wellington monument in Princes Street, or Greyfriarís Bobby, as part of their homework, will be able to text a number and download information on the subject. All the facts will be stored on a database at the school".

SMS and Internet Blamed for Decline in English Examinations - Dec 30 2003

Education director-general Datuk Abdul Rafie Mahat of Kuala Lumpur blamed text messaging and the Internet for the decline in English language passes in the Penilaian Menengah Rendah examination this year, according to Malaysia's New Straits Times.

"Abdul Rafie said students were "economising words and phrases" in their answer scripts as they were used to doing so via the SMS and in their messages over the Internet.

"The scripts clearly show they have overlooked the basic rules of English. Students used short form when writing," he said when asked to comment on the 1.8 per cent decline in passes for English".
 

Don't Ring After the Bell - It's Class Etiquette - Sep 23 2003

The Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association which includes Telstra, Optus and Vodafone has actually issued guidelines for the use of phones in schools, aimed at minimising mobile phone disruption and SMS bullying, according to The Advertiser.

"Students, teachers and parents have to sign an agreement before a phone can be brought to school.

They also require students to lock away their phones in a bag or locker as soon as they arrive at school.

An Education Department spokesman said there was no blanket policy for the use of mobile phones, but that students were generally discouraged from using them during class time".

UK Student Unions Offer Lecture Alerts, Exam Updates by SMS - Aug 15 2003

A new student SMS information service has been implemented at 50 Universities and Colleges across the UK.

Students can now recieve lecture alerts, exam updates and promotions offered though their union by subscribing to the Union's SMS service.

The idea of using TXT as a method of informing students of Union promotions and events came to the founder of Head Porter Ltd, Dr Simon Strojan, while he was events organiser of his college at the University of Cambridge.

After completing his degree he joined a leading new media firm, where he met others who saw the potential in a service that could instantly inform students across the UK on lifestyle, academic and career information. The service that has been developed provides students with complete control to select electronic vouchers via text and email on any thing from food to drink, nightclubs to travel. Students have an online tool to select and de-select whatever interests them and therefore have complete control over how many Union and Commercial messages they receive.

The service operates on the basis of a revenue split, passing on a large percentage of income from campaigns to the under funded Student Unions and thus serves as a method of generating income for both the company and its University Union members. Useful AND smart.

Parents Alerted by SMS when Children Skip School - May 09 2003

CNN reports on a texting initiative by two Irish schools, in an effort to dissuade their students from skipping class. A database records the names of absent students each day and automatically sends out an SMS to their parents, notifying them that their child missed roll-call.

A similar government endorsed experience has been implemented since last November in 400 Lyc»es throughout France, thanks to technology developed by a small wireless company, Soluphone. Parents receive a text message with "From: The Lyc»e. Object: Student absent on May 8, from 9 to 10 am. Please contact school administration". Thus avoiding sending a letter by regular mail, which usually ends up being intercepted by the student. (article in Libration).