Incessant texting is the bane of classroom teachers. Ironically enough it might be getting students in the door.

According to University of Virginia education professor Benjamin Castleman college enrollment increased 3.1 percent when schools texted prospective students important deadline information. That's a big step in combating what researchers call "summer melt" or the tendency for high school students, especially low-income or first-generation students to not attend college even after being accepted. 

Castleman’s book, “The 160-Character Solution” argues that “nudges” in the form of texts and other social media can help students meet college application deadlines. Castleman also argues that texting can increase overall student performance. To be clear Castleman isn’t saying texting is a magic potion that cures all ills. It’s just one tool.

“It’s not texting itself that makes these nudges successful, it’s attending to details, like the frequency, timing and framing of messages,” Castleman tells the Hechinger Report.

From the Amazon blurb, “By focusing on behavioral changes, Castleman demonstrates that small changes in how we ask questions, design applications, and tailor reminders can have remarkable impacts on student and school success.

So parents next time you want your offspring to clean their room (or attend college) try bombarding them with texts. I’m sure they’ll appreciate it.

Read a more in-depth review of the book from the Hechinger Report.

 

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