You Oughta Know About....

Happy Saturday Teachers! This weekend I am getting
 "blog-hoppin" happy and linking up with one of my blogger favorites, Jasmine, over at Buzzing With Mrs. McClain. 

A few other bloggers, along with myself, with be sharing with you guys a few things you "oughta know" for your classroom and for your overall TEACHY piece of mind. 


This month I thought you'd REALLY oughta know about.....

 Remind

What is Remind? Only the best thing ever!!! Seriously speaking, Remind (which use to be Remind 101) is a FREE texting application that allows you to communicate and connect with parents(and students for secondary teachers). How awesome is that?

 *fyi:I have not started school yet, I have included screen grabs compliments of the Remind media link.

As you can see, Remind is available on multiple platforms of technology we use daily. Parents/Students have the option to sign up via text or email. Note: the application is free, but regular service fees would apply. SO, just be mindful if you do not have unlimited texting service on your phone.
What I love best about Remind is that it is CUSTOMIZABLE! You "oughta know" that student/parents can be separated based on courses or class periods. Messages can be sent to whole groups or a small group of individuals. You are also able to send attachments!

Need to log Parent/Student Communication at the end of the year? No problem! You "oughta know" that Remind saves the history of all your messages and allows you to export them into a .pdf document.

Anyone like me have a classroom website or blog? Well you "oughta know" that Remind has a widget. Haha I love widgets.

 Here is a screenshot from my class blog:


So now that you know about Remind, now you "oughta know" how to get it. Sign up is easy peasy. Just head over to the Remind Website and sign up for free. Once you do so, you are able to add your class titles and print off  a text/email code to hand out to students. I added my information to my syllabus with a QR code, but Remind 101 even creates a cute little handout with directions for that SMALL population of folks not so "in tune" with technology.

 I created a sample below:

So that is Remind in a nutshell! As we are moving forward into incorporating more technology into learning, why not utilize it to keep us connected as well? I really hope I provided you with enough information to have you heading on over there later to sign up!

 But first, I Mustache that you continue to 
"get your hop on" with a few other Oughta Knowers!


23 comments :

  1. ReddishAnnAugust 9, 2014 at 7:51 AM

    I've been meaning to get Remind 101 up and going but just never did. This made me sit down and get it started as I read. Thanks, friend! I want to add a QR code to my slide show for our "Meet The Teacher" night. Do you have a suggestion of how to do that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:27 PM

      Hey! Try creating a QR code that includes the number for parents need to sign-up. Though I may suggest that if you are having a Parent Night, you can set up a station where they could sign-up then and there. Some parents see a flyer and may not get around to it with all there other life commitments.

      Hope this helps! Thanks for reading :-)

      Delete
  2. JasmineAugust 9, 2014 at 9:07 AM

    I start next week so I need to get on the ball and get this going. I really hope my parents will find Remind helpful this year. Do you find that alot of parents utilize it?

    Jasmine
    Buzzing With Mrs. McClain

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:30 PM

      I have a fairly small class and I found I had maybe 1 or 2 not utilizing the application. Just ensure them that you won't spam them and find a way to make it worth there while. Like some kind of bonus/tips that only parents that communicate this way get. I have been seeing your IG ideas and you are quite savvy; I am sure you can find a way to spark curiosity among your parents! Let me know how it goes!

      Thanks for stopping by :-)

      Delete
  3. UnknownAugust 9, 2014 at 9:24 AM

    Thank you for a wonderful blog post, Emerald I absolutely LOVE Remind 101! I have used it as a literacy coach / RTI specialist for my teachers and it is such a useful tool! Have a wonderful year and thanks again for sharing!
    Best wishes!
    Jen
    TeacherKarma.com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:30 PM

      Thank you Jen! I hope your year rocks as well :-)

      Delete
  4. KatieAugust 9, 2014 at 9:43 AM

    My coworker found this over the summer - I am so excited to try it out this year - thank you for the post about it!

    Living the First Grade Dream

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:31 PM

      Thanks for hoppin' by! Let me know how Remind works out in your classroom!!

      Delete
  5. iHeartLiteracyAugust 9, 2014 at 9:55 AM

    This sounds like such a great resource! I'm really excited to share it with all of my colleagues. Thanks!

    -Margaret
    iHeartLiteracy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:32 PM

      Thanks! I am sure your colleagues will love it! Feel free to share this post if they need more convincing!!

      Delete
  6. UnknownAugust 9, 2014 at 2:13 PM

    I LOVE this app, such an easy way to keep parents informed, everyone checks their phone right?

    Mrs. Plemons' Kindergarten

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:37 PM

      Right! Parents wouldn't need to "run through hoops" or "do doughnuts" to be/stay informed about whats going on in the classroom, homework expectation, upcoming events etc.

      Want to hear something funny?
      I actually checked this message from my phone and laughed.

      Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  7. Lynda WilliamsAugust 9, 2014 at 2:26 PM

    I love this app...I think the parents will like this too. Teaching Science With Lynda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:37 PM

      I hope you have lots of luck with Remind. Thanks for stopping by!!

      Delete
  8. Kelly BurlinskiAugust 9, 2014 at 5:01 PM

    Wow, that is so helpful! I would have never thought to look for an app. Brilliant!
    Kelly
    MyFabulousClass

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:38 PM

      Thanks for stopping by. And remember.....when in doubt, there is an APP for everything these days-lol

      Delete
  9. KinderMyWayAugust 9, 2014 at 5:46 PM

    I wish my own kids teachers would use this. I would love reminders on my phone. Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:39 PM

      No problem! Feel free to share this post with her! Maybe you can get her on board for this upcoming school year.

      Delete
  10. Teaching TykesAugust 9, 2014 at 10:03 PM

    Super great post!
    Thanks,
    Lori

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownAugust 10, 2014 at 12:00 AM

    I soooo wish this was available to New Zealand teachers!! I would so use it all the time.

    Erin
    Learning to be awesome

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:41 PM

      Check there website. I thought I read something about international teachers...If not now, then maybe this will be an option in the future. *fingers crossed*

      Thanks for hopping by :-)

      Delete
  12. ECTAugust 10, 2014 at 12:33 PM

    Aww thank you Fern! I just became follower 1955 on your blog....WOW!!!

    ReplyDelete

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