Tech Review 3

As I considered what website to review, I looked at my Bookmark Toolbar and decided on one that I use weekly in my classroom. This website is Remind and it is a free messaging service. (This website was formally known as Remind 101. They have recently updated their name.) It can be accessed by their website or by downloading the app. You may send a text message (150 character limit) or an attachment. At the beginning of the school year, I send out a flyer with my Remind phone number and email address on it. This phone number and email address are assigned to my account, it is not my personal information. Parents sign up by texting or emailing their first and last name with the subject "McTaggart" (or whatever the name of the group is).

This website is a necessity for me! I can send out a group message to all of my parents and it will go straight to their mobile device. I don't have to worry about lost notes or failed communication when I send out reminders for Picture Day or fundraiser due dates, etc. Just for the record, I do send home the information ahead of time about upcoming dates on colored paper with cute clipart. ;) But, Remind is great when I'm sending a reminder about something a day or two before the event. There is one thing that I would change about this free service. I would give the message recipients the ability to respond to the message. As of now, it is a read-only file. They cannot respond with questions or comments. I think that if Remind would make this small change, it would be a perfect way of communication between a teacher and the parents of her homeroom!