Kyle Doty^{1, 2,}, Thomas Gollery^3,

This quantitative study examined online middle school students' preferences for receiving text messages from teachers and their likelihood of responding within 30 minutes. The researchers surveyed 142 students in 6th grade language arts classes at a U.S. virtual school. Four text message types were identified: words/emojis only, link to teacher's voice, multiple-choice options, and picture with message. Results showed students strongly preferred receiving texts with multiple-choice options when asked about feelings on schoolwork and texts with just words/emojis when asked about work needing submission. Students were very likely to respond within 30 minutes to texts with words/emojis only and multiple-choice options. There was more uncertainty about responding to texts with a teacher's voice link and texts featuring a basic picture message. Overall, tailoring communication using text choices like words/emojis and multiple-choice options can effectively engage middle school students and encourage prompt responses.

online education, online middle school, communication, text message, student-teacher communication, online communication, texting, student-teacher texting, student communication preferences, student text preferences, text-based communication, virtual communication