During the recent disruptions caused by snow, Totton College, near Southampton, was able to keep staff and students up-to-date by text message. The latest information about college closures and the implications for those students sitting exams was sent directly to their mobile phones.
Like institutions all over the country, the severe snowfall, which fell a few weeks ago, meant that many staff were unable to make it in and student transport was completely disrupted. For three days, the main campus was closed so text messaging, via Capita Further and Higher Education’s UNIT-e Student Messaging, ensured students were not left out in the cold at this crucial time of year.
Capita’s UNIT-e Student Messaging is designed to help colleges send multiple communications to individuals or groups of students via email or SMS to their mobile phones.
Alex Richards, director of customer service, Totton College, explained: “It simply wasn’t practical to get people in to work, so we operated a ‘Snow Desk’ remotely off-site. In fact, for two of the three days, we ran everything with no on-site presence at all. The Snow Desk monitored transport and weather conditions throughout the closure and we were able to communicate decisions – to students, staff and even the local taxi drivers, who support our students with disabilities and learning difficulties – within minutes via text and online.”
The college operates two-directional texting and so teaching staff could use the system from home to engage with their learners. Many students, concerned about exams due to take place the following week, were kept informed of contingency plans so they were not unduly worried. Text-based revision quizzes were sent to them and teachers were able to deal with individual learner questions by text, email and online.
It was easy to customise messages with content relevant to each student. Using UNIT-e Student Messaging, the college could easily identify which students lived in particular areas or were enrolled for certain exams. For example, students on particular bus routes were targeted with transport details relating specifically to their planned journey. In addition, teachers used group-texting facilities to contact their own classes with subject specific information.
George Layfield, head of sales at Capita Further and Higher Education, comments: “The snow came at a difficult time for Totton College and could have caused major disruption and stress for students in the lead up to their exams. During January, the college sent over 23,000 text messages, double the normal monthly volume, setting a new record for the college. This would have been impossible to achieve by telephone alone.
“By using the information they had recorded on students in their UNIT-e system, they ensured that stress was reduced and that learning could carry on regardless. This clever use of innovative technology meant students were never left in the dark.”