I learned a bit about a new move towards m-learning (m=mobile) or "Cell Casting." Currently the technology allows us to send an audio or text-based message to phones and allow participants to respond by keying in multiple-choice responses.
So what are you're thoughts?
What are the possible applications and benefits for our business?
How could it be incorporated into current or future projects?
5 comments:
Text-message clues to an "extra credit" scavenger-hunt activity which participants can do in the context of a training tour. Ram/Challenger? They receive the txt-messages clues throughout the day, solve the clues, get the answers, record them on a page of their workbook, and hand that in for a chance at a super-cool prize at the end of the day.
They'd have to opt-in for this part of the tour, cuz that way it wouldn't get frustrating for people who aren't interested (get charged for txt messages?) to keep getting txts.
Kind of an interesting idea. I always see games/voting on tv that use the same idea.
I have 2 concerns though -
one Kacha already mentioned ($$$)
Second, I know countless of people who still don't even know how to send a text.
If we can get passed those, I am sure we could figure out a cool idea on how to incorporate it.
Here's a whacky idea that just occurred to me. Is there any way technology could be used to supplant TurningPoint? Could this technology be used as an audience participation "system" during live training events? We could pose questions to participants the way we already do with TurningPoint. But rather than having audience members key in their answers on their TurningPoint keypads, they text their responses (a la American Idol) and the responses are tallied. All they have to do in TurningPoint is hit one button on their keypad, so maybe we could set it up so all they have to do is press one text button on their phone. I know there are logistical issues that would have to be worked out (how quickly responses could be received/tallied, where we would get the program or system that would receive the responses and tally them, etc.) But it seems like it could potentially serve the same purpose and cost less to set up.
I'm not sure if everyone is integrating text messages into TV shows and games because it's the "in thing" right now, or because people actually enjoy it.
When you step back and look at the technology, it's kind of a step backwards. It's almost like a telegram sent to your phone.
I think what people enjoy is the ability to send a quick message without the hassle of having to talk to people on the phone. It basically provides the same shelter as email, but it's portable and it's more of a pain to type on.
But it is cool how you can send and receive these little messages when you're out and about, and it has an element of secrecy about it, like an "insider tip." That lends itself to a type of scavenger hunt. Which always makes me think of geocaching with GPS devices, which would also be really fun for an event, but also super expensive.
So I don't know. As everyone said, texting costs $. I personally hate when people send me pointless texts, because I get charged for them, and I don't even get a say in the matter. Once it's sent, it's on my bill.
I think that's the main hurdle for this type of activity at the moment. That and the fact that you'd have to input everyone's phone number.
AS a heavy "text messager" (about 1000 sent and received a month.. I thought I should put my "10-cents a message" in.
Over the last five years I have seen text messages work for TV shows (Idol), Alternate Reality Games (I Love Bees), stock tips (I can't control it... but someone out there really likes sending me unsolicited stock tips) and social networking (mass text message telling a group of people where to be and when).
You also have to remember that this goes way beyond text these days... I get a lot of photos taken from locations all over the u.s. seconds after they are taken... which is really great. I can open my phone and get a picture of my sister's dog in Seattle or from one of my Bostonian friends snapping a shot from the Green Monster.
We have to remember we can go multimedia with this also.
Ok - jumping to the next idea. I think we should explore how dealers can use text messaging in their jobs. I am working with a realtor right now and he'll shoot me a text about a showing time, a picture of a kitchen, etc. during his daily routine. All he did is ask if I wanted to communicate through text messages now and then and I said, "of course!"
I don't see it as a training tool - but I see it as a sales tool. A dealer could send pictures of vehicles on the lot, pricing quotes, follow up responses to customers who appreciate this form of communication.
Just a thought and real world example in a sales situation.
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