Texting with students- creepy, yet convenient.

I'd be willing to bet that all high school teachers have experienced students texting in class.  I'd also be willing to bet that most teachers have thought to themselves, "I wish I could just text them this information".  I know when I want to remind students or update them on new information that is important for them to receive before I see them again, I wish I could just send a group text.  In our school, teachers are discouraged from texting students. The exception being coaches since they often do not see their athletes during the day.  The fact is, we are never really sure if our students are checking their online learning system (we happen to use PortalsPlus for posting homework and grades).  While students are told to "check Portals" every night, we never know if they do.  Texting would be a way to ensure that students get information. When our Freshman get iPads next year, we will have the ability to send iMessages to our students, something very similar to texting among Apple products.  Would teachers continue to be discouraged from sending these messages directly to the students' devices, or will it be looked at as a "learning tool".

I am also interesting in exploring how we can use messaging systems in other ways, other than simple communication from teacher to student.  I would like to explore lessons that may include messaging systems as a way for students to collaborate