Just keep your text messages short.If I am pressed 4 space I dont use spaces between periods or correct punctuation.U will figure out most things quickly.LOL

And go buy yourself a digital camera!

Just call me old school too. I can't imagine why students would ever need to be texted, and what about those poor students who don't have a cell phone strapped to their side? Why not leave a telephone number for them to just return a call if something is that important?

I don't see that as much of a brilliant idea. If it was an important message, how would you ever be assured they got the message, if they never replied?

Sue...confused

I say take the high road and forget the cute shortcuts like using 2 and 4 and U. If you are using a full computer keyboard, set a good example!

Sue
I agree with you. Isn't that why they invented email and telephone answering machines?

Iowagirl.....LOL...as long as 110 film is available why go digital? I could get one of those disposable cameras and have my pictures put on CD...but I don't have a home computer or the internet. Here is a picture of my camera...

SamKaren
your resident DJ

I don't use texting shorthand! I refuse to add to the "dumbing down" of society, so I use correct spelling and punctuation.

I resisted digital cameras for a long time. DH bought me my first one in 1999. I LOVE my digital cameras (he has bought me 3 over the past 10 years, and I bought an underwater camera) I take so many more pictures now and I wish that I had had one when my girls were little.

I'm curious...are they supposed to reply to these texts?

If they have cell phones, don't they have computers and email addresses?

I too think you should just use correct grammar and punctuation...even if it is just to say please call so and so at such and such number to discuss such and such.

What kind of students are these? High School? College? Trade School?

I personally believe that before you're allowed to use texting shorthand you should be required to pass a spelling and grammer test. Kids today are sadly lacking in even the rudimentary written communication skills. What's cute in a text message is not so cute in a formal letter. I'm also one that would shorten the message in content and by using approved abbreviations that everyone would understand.

I text all the time...the kids go thru spells of just texting...right now Tan is on just talking LOL.....Sydney since she got her widsom teeth cut out is just texting....but I know alot of the abbre. and they use the T9 I think it is called predictive text...so usually it spells the words out correctly for you so actually unless you are just using regular text...you are responsible for correct spelling etc...the T9 doesn't use the abrev. Stacy

I am assuming your boss is talking about a text to MANY students at once? I am actually surprised that your school doesn't do that already.

Most of the FEW times that it would be used is to state there is some type of threat. Let's just say, "a student is holding his teacher hostage in building G level 2...please do not go into or near this building". When the text is sent...it will reach possibly 1000's of people at once!

I love the ability to text...my kids and friends. So easy just to send a quick text of 'I won't be home until 5:30", instead of calling each one to tell them! AND, working with a Realtor that does NOT text...it is a PAIN! If I could text her a message, Bonnie Smith just called to confirm her appt with u. 515-555-5555 Instead, I have to call the Realtor, and then she has to FIND a piece of paper and then FIND a pen!!!!!!!!! If I were to text it, she could just push a button and that call would be made back to Bonnie Smith! SO EASY But...she is very computer illiterate/cell phone too! Oh well!

I love texting! - BUT... I hate to see kids (or anyone for that matter) constantly texting. I know some kids that can send thousands upon thousands in a month.

I only gave DD the 250/month limited text on her phone. She keeps track - and it works great.

Sometimes you need to abbreviate - you only have so many characters per text. I don't have any issue with it. It isn't a formal type of correspondence. Times are a changin' - go with the flow :)

Being able to text large groups of people is wonderful - and as far as kids not having a cell phone strapped to their side - LOL! They all do!! Only my oldest has a phone - my middle kid will probably get one in the fall as she enters high school.

It is a great tool to alert groups about emergencies, delays, or cancellations.

I don't have a texting plan on my phone. I can get free incoming and I can send text out from my computer to any US Cellular phone at no charge. That works great for me!

Don't worry about learning the shorthand. I text quite a bit and never use shorthand. I'm assuming that most of these text messages will be going out instead of coming in, so I wouldn't worry about learning to decipher them, but if you do, they are usually pretty easy to figure out.

Sweetie, I just figured out how to text and use my MP3 player, all in the same day. I got a brain cramp by the way. It will get easier the more you use it.

Trish

Trishaw....more lol

Here is my MP3 player....

You don't have to abbreviate while texting and in your case I think it would be unprofessional to do so.
It sounds as if you'll be sending email to students to read on their cell phones or computers. The messages, I assume, will pertain to school matters and class schedules? Abbrevuations won't be needed.

Lori

I have those same headphones. I can not stand those silly things you stuff in your ears. Where the heck is the sound quality? I must admit, I love my MP3. I was actually still dragging around one of those little cd players attached to my belt loop out in the gardens at work. The MP3 fits in my pocket.

I agree with the abbreviations- I don't think you will need them.

Trish

This makes Me think what to do with
all of my negatives from my 35 mm Camera,
I'm guessing they aren't worth saving.
Olgaflowers,

Olgaflowers - My scanner will scan film and slides. I have scanned many old pictures off the negatives. It is a wonderful thing to do!

I don't like the ear buds either! They are nice and small to take along, but they hurt my ears. I have a nice small pair of noice cancelling headphones that I use. Sounds much better to me.

If I could learn how to text, I might - can't figure it out, though - my cell only does numbers when I try to respond to a text message!

kayjones....try hitting the * or # on the bottom right/left and see if you get letters after that. There are probably 3 modes...numbers/capitals/letters.

I think you are confusing texting with instant messaging.
With instant messaging, the users generally have a full keyboard and are at a coputer, not a phone, so the need for using text abbreviations is not the same. That being said, people do sometimes abbreviate in Instant Messages (IMs), but at my work, it is highly discouraged.
You really have two choices - refuse to accept text messages with abbreviations, by saying to the party "I don't understand your abbreviation, please spell it out" or learn at least the basics.
Since you deal with a young population, they are still trainable! (Oh, and a new batch every year.)
Good luck.

here you go...

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.lingo2word.com/index.php

I'm another one who is behind the times.

I don't have a cell phone. I only use throw away cameras. My DVD Player stopped working and I still use VCR to tape a TV program. I think I could decipher Texting, but have no intentions of ever using it. I do know some HTML, and have put up two websites. I love my PC, and intend some day to learn how to burn a CD.

We are moving too fast. I happened on to Oprah's show yesterday and it had to do with people, especially mothers in this case, being overwhelmed, and focused on a mother who forgot her baby was in the car, and you probably know the rest of the story.

It all reminds me of William Wordsworth's The World is Too Much With Us. Take the time to read it sometime.

Sue

I am just amazed at our technology and am so happy to be living in this day and time. There is much of it I haven't learned, but it keeps us using our brains and helps to keep us connected. I don't text much, but it's not hard to do. Just try it.

I work in Marketing for a high tech company and I use many of the latest gadgets and design applications so I have to be up to speed on all this stuff. I'm convinced for every one technology I know, there are ten others I don't. I text, do email, listen to iTunes wearing wireless headphones, the Bluetooth phone in my car shuts down my music when I have a call so I can hear, I can access my company's secure servers from anywhere there is a computer or iPhone, my laptop goes with me everywhere, and on and on. Some days it just wears me out. LOL

Jodi-

There's a time and place for all of them. I really like email. Any time I can take business away from the post office I'm thrilled. Instant messaging is very handy for chatting with people you don't see too often who happen to be online when you are but it's also a good way to leave a quick message. Texting is a little quicker in some respects since the person usually has the phone on them. I really think it's rude when you're with someone talking, dining or whatever and in comes the signal and they drop everything to look at the text message. Then they usually have to give a quick text back. Then there's usually at least one or two more repeats. It's like the ones who constantly answer the cell for unimportant calls. I've started getting up and walking off and say obviously they're/that's more important than what we're doing so finish that up and let me know.

I really find it hard to justify all these kids of all ages having expensive cell phones so they can be notified of terrorists! Isn't that going a bit overboard? No wonder the kids aren't learning!

I have a prepaid cell and will not give out the number to too many since I know I'd be bombarded with spam. Cute little quotes, 150 "hi!" messages and other worthless garbage. I give out a forwarding number so they can't text me when I want them to be able to call me. I use Yahoo Instant Messenger to text people. It's great. I have the keyboard, a decent size monitor and it doesn't cost anything. There's 154 character limit to a text so sometimes you need to abbreviate. There's nothing wrong with that in my bood. I do get annoyed with some of the more obscure phrases and it bugs the daylights out of me when people have to use instant messenger abbreviations on forums. There was one guy in another forum who insisted on all abbreviations. "u ppl sh And I don't have picture messaging and don't want it. Email me the pictures if you want to send them or transfer them by instant messenger. There's definitely purposes for it, I agree. I think it's good for history to have the hanging of Saddam Hussein recorded, even as poorly as it was and I find it no more offensive than the Zapruder film. The pictures of Whacko Jacko on the stretcher, and even the shots of David Carradine to show that what was being said wasn't true, are some valid uses. But there's abuse too. The more technology, the more chance for abuse.

I do find it hilarious when people can't make a phone call when the power goes out because they have only cordless phones or rely on cell service and are in a dead spot. But then again I laughed so hard I nearly drove off the road when I saw a tow truck on the side of the road with its hood up! I thought about stopping and offering to help for about $250. But that wouldn't be nice, would it?

Jodi, I share your pain. I really hate that we have to be so accessible these days, I yearn for the days that when I walked out of work and locked the door I was actually free.