While the IT systems have attempted to reduce the administrative burden on teachers by sending in automatic emails/portal updates to students and other stakeholders involved, instant access of that information is still not possible because most of the students/parents are not connected to internet 24x7. Further many of the houses still don't possess a computer as compared to a far higher penetration of mobile phones in the Indian middle class homes.

Therefore, text sms messaging gives the power in the hands of all the stakeholders involved in the education process to communicate the information without delay. Since, the access of mobile phones is 24x7; receiving reminders/updates over the mobile phones keeps them up-to-date with the latest information. SMS text messaging services empowers the IT systems to not only be efficient but also be effective by creating a communication channel which is open for access 24X7.

Bouquet of Mobile SMS Messaging Services in Education

Push Messaging - Admin staff/ teachers can send manual/automatic messages over the GSM/CDMA network to the specified group of students by real time integration with the existing IT systems of the organization

Pull Messaging - Students/Parents can fetch information real time by sending in SMS to a 10 digit virtual number/short code

Short-code services - Used by institutes for running mobile marketing initiatives and helping prospects know more about the organization

Few education institutions have m-powered themselves

IMS
. They have a service where students can fetch their test score results by a PULL
. IMS announces the upload of sample test papers on the web - PUSH
. They use it in corporate training where they PUSH test scores

Kangaroo Kids
. PUSH update to parents on progress
. PUSH alerts for last minute changes such as unplanned holidays
. PUSH administration notices

Wellingkar
. PUSH change of class schedules to part-time students
. PUSH test scores to part-time students
. PUSH examination time tables to part-time students

IIM Lucknow
. PUSH seating, accommodation & travel related allocation information
. PULL - Allocation of the seats for events
. PUSH community related announcements

About the Author
This article has been contributed by Nimesh Bhandari, VP - Mobility Solutions, ValueFirst Messaging India ( http://www.vfirst.com) ValueFirst provides software application to enables its customers to communicate between varied IT back-end systems and mobile phones to send receive SMS from their personal computer to mobile.