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Using an online text messaging communication tool as an instructional supplement in an undergraduate anatomy course
Author(s) -
Brueckner Jennifer,
Challman Sandra,
MacPherson Brian
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.1_supplement.768.9
Subject(s) - text messaging , short message service , class (philosophy) , computer science , reading (process) , world wide web , context (archaeology) , multimedia , online chat , the internet , artificial intelligence , paleontology , political science , law , biology , operating system
The Millennial generation college student relies on technology to stay socially and academically connected. To enhance interaction and communication with undergraduate students enrolled in our online anatomy course (ANA 209), the authors piloted an optional text messaging program during the Fall 2007 semester. Text messaging uses SMS, or Short Message Service, a feature enabled in most cell phones, allowing users to receive and send short written messages. To sent text messages to ANA 209 students, faculty logged into the University's Sharepoint™ system, which contains a mobility portal through which messages (email, SMS and/or voice) may be created and distributed. Messages were sent in order to notify students when a grade is posted, a new assignment made, or to remind students about an upcoming quiz. In addition, a pertinent “anatomy fact of the day” was text messaged to students as a reminder to review the assigned reading. Preliminary student feedback indicates that the text messaging is a useful way to enhance communication in this online anatomy class. This pilot program proved to have great potential for supporting a social context for online learners that fosters a greater sense of community than is typically reported in virtual classes.