Mobile QuickmailTales from the Trenches

environment

10 classes, approximately 200 students total

1st and 2nd year compulsory English students

*one repeater class

varied ability and motivational levels

blended learning classroom with teacher support

*no support needed

attempted methods

1) Using the existing Moodle profile mail account

students rarely checked

2) Replacing Moodle profile mail with mobile phone mail

resulted in mojibake on certain carriers

3) Setting up gmail accounts with autoforwarding to mobile phone mail

computer illiteracy made it time consuming

I tried...

Why?

single site integration (Moodle eLearning)

use authentic English in context

develop student/teacher rapport

increased confidence of receipt

ability to offer choices, not penalties

reinforce accountability for those choices

foster independent learners

Sample correspondence

Absent Student RemindersDear Nobita,I was deeply dismayed to discover you’d elected to persist in your truant behaviors and thereby further endanger your prospects for successfully completing this course.Sincerely yours,Geordie

You were absent today. We have a TEST NEXT WEEK. The test is in the 15th class. You will have a speaking test. You can see a sample speaking test on our class site. Also, there is a small listening homework. Good luck & see you next week! -Geordie

You were absent today. Next week we have our FINAL TEST. There is a SHORT SPEAKING TEST also. Check our class page for a sample. There was also HOMEWORK today; Opinions. -Geordie

Today your were absent. We have writing homework. You have only 1 week. Next week is a TEST. Don't be absent or it's a BIG MINUS. There is no speaking test, only on the computer. Do your best and good luck.

Absent today...it's your 6th absence, but if you get a note and do special homework maybe you can still get credit. Give up?

Sample correspondence

Absent Student Reminders

Good morning Nobitakun. You have a BIG TEST TODAY! If you can get here quickly or come second period you can still do the test today. I hope you can come. Geordie

According to my records you were ABSENT 4 or 5 times. You must do the "Special Homework" on eLearning. Check for directions. You can do this homework in your free time, at school or at home, 24 hours/day. Finish the “Special Homework” by Jan. 25th, our 15th lesson. Tell me when you have finished. If you finish or you have any problems please e-mail me at sguteacher@gmail.com

Come here quickly and you can still do the test without a minus. You must come before 9:45. If you miss today and have no note it's minus 25%. You can do the make-up test 2nd period today or on the following days:12/3 1st or 2nd period room C30212/8 1st or 2nd period room C30312/14 1st or 2nd period room C302Good luck and do you best! -Geordie

Sample correspondence

At Risk Students

Hi guys! Our room is A301 for the Thursday 12/24 Christmas Event. I hope it will be fun so please come. If I don't see some of you...have a Happy New Year!

Hello everybody, Just a reminder; you have your FINAL TEST TOMORROW. Don't be absent or late. You are FINISHED TOMORROW after the test. There is a SHORT SPEAKING TEST and a sample video on eLearning. Good luck!Best regards,Geordie

Next week you have a test. There is NO SPEAKING TEST (Are you happy?). Units 6, 11, 12, & 13. Also there is new WRITING HOMEWORK for Unit 11 on our page. You have 1 WEEK for the WRITING HOMEWORK. Do your best and see you next week.-Geordie

Sample correspondence

Important Class Information

Hello. I'm Chibiko Nakamura. Student number of Sapporo Gakuin University is S123456. I'm writing to inform when I absent tomorrow's class. Because I caught a cold. Sorry. Thank you for letter confirming.

Hi,Geordie. Thank you for telling. I will study for Test and do homework. Today,I'm sorry to absent. Next WeeK,I will attend.

Sorry,I have an influenza. I don't go to SGU.

Hello! This is Nobita.(123456 M2 class) I forgot to send E-mail for you. I already finish special homework! See you again class!* ￣ O ￣）ノ

Sample correspondence

Responses from Students

student questionnaire

Are you willing to share your mobile mail address with the teacher for important mails?

How often do you check PC mail at home?

How often do you check your SGU Active Mail account?

How often do you check your mobile mail?

What is an acceptable number of emails from your teacher?

How did you find the process of setting up MobileQuickmail?

What kind of emails would you like to receive from the teacher?

Any other comments?

MESSAGE CONTENTS

Additional Comments

メールでの連絡は便利で良いと思います。 携帯のほうが、確実に早く情報を確認することができるので、便利でいいと思います。これからも続けてください。携帯のメールだとすぐにみられるのでわかりやすいです携帯だとチェックしやすいので便利だと思うこのシステムはとても役立つと思うのでこれからも続けたほうがいいと思います。 パソコンのメールはあまりみないので、携帯のメールがいいです。

Additional Comments

重要なことをメールで教えてもらえるのは、ありがたいです。テストの情報など大事なことをメールで伝えてくれれば生徒にとっていいことだと思います。自分が授業を欠席した時の重要な連絡事項を教えてくれたのは助かりました。 授業を休んだ時来週テストあると教えてくれたのが助かりました。休んだ時にメールをくれて、助かった！休講の連絡とかをしてくれるのはありがたいですメールで欠席やテストのお知らせをしてくれるのは助かると思います。英語の勉強になると思う。 携帯に授業連絡がくるようになって便利でした。

Additional Comments

メールで宿題のポイントやヒントを教えてほしいです。 宿題を忘れることがあるので、メールで連絡してもらえると助かります。補講の日時も教えてください。宿題についての連絡がほしいと思ったテスト情報がもっと詳しくほしい休んだ時の授業の連絡があるともっと良いと思います。これからはメールを使って現状をしっかり教えてほしいです。来年からはメールは全て携帯でやり取りしたほうがいいと思います。メールアドレス交換は全く問題ありませんこれが普及するといまのポータルシステムより確実に効率がいいと思います。

future additions?

integration with attendance moduleshow status for current week’s class making even quicker to email absent students

drafts folder for storing frequent mailingsprivacy settingssorting by column headersautomatic mailings (i.e. reminders of upcoming test etc.)

opt in for reminders?