Overview
Remind (formerly Remind101) is a one-way messaging service created specifically to help teachers communicate with their school community as simply and safely as possible. Allowing students and parents to sign up via text, email or online using a unique class code, the service keeps phone numbers completely hidden so teacher-student-parent communication is 100% private and secure.
Name: Remind  – www.remind.comPricing: Free
Compatibility: Desktop / iOS / Android
Access: Email / Google signup
Privacy: Private (privacy policy)
A Quick Look
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUkhoTrUhkU
In Practice
1. Broadcasting your message
As the main purpose of the Remind platform and app, simple and secure messaging is the primary use for most educators. This could be an alert to students when work is due, a reminder to parents to fill in permission slips, weather information, school closures or even just a motivational quote or message for the day.
2. Send more than words
One of the huge advantages Remind has over conventional SMS is the ability to attach files to messages. As long as the attachment is less than 10MB in size, any file type can be used. Try sending an end of week happy snap of your class to parents each Friday to keep them feeling connected. Attach a map or flyer if you are messaging about an event. Even attach a pdf copy of the homework, just so parents know exactly their children are working on.
3. Archiving message history
One key safety feature of Remind is that you cannot delete messages once they are sent. This ensures there is always a clear record and trail of your messages and allows you to stand over every interaction you have made. What is particularly useful is that the system also allows you to easily download a PDF copy of every message you have made. This is extremely useful for archiving, potential legal requirements and any administrative requests.
4. Send messages from the future
Remind lets you schedule messages to be sent at any time in the future (unfortunately the past is not yet possible…). This works extremely well for setting project deadlines or dates for upcoming tests. This way messages can be created when you think of them rather than at awkward times or when you may not have the capacity to craft the message carefully.
5. One way conversation
Make sure to remember when using Remind that it is a one way communication channel. If you need to have a discussion or require feedback from parents or students, email, phone or face to face conversation may be a better option. Over time you will find that certain individuals react better to certain communication mediums, so although Remind may not allow replies, you can use it as a trigger speak or mail on a subject further.
Links and Next Steps
- Remind Help – Video tutorials and how-to guides for using Remind
- Teacher resources – PDF resources from the Remind team
- Texting Reminders to Parents and Students – Ideas and resources
- What’s Up with Mobile – Interesting presentation on the mobile landscape
- Fifty Ways to Use Remind101 – Pinterest board
- Why I’m using Remind 101 this year – Blog post from educator Laura Gilchrist
- 6 Reasons to Use Remind in the Classroom
- 5 Ways Administrators Can Use Remind
- How to Embed Your Remind (101) Text Messages Into Your Blogger Blog
- Face off: @Twitter verses @Remind101 for family outreach via texting