sirakide@uunet.uu.net (Dean Sirakides) (01/24/91)
Perhaps some of you have heard of the latest rage among our educators:
voice-mail! The idea is to set up a system where each teacher can
record a daily message reviewing homework, class topics, upcoming
events, etc. The parent and or child can then call the central
number, key in the proper extension and voila!
The programs have been getting a lot of positive press from all
concerned.
Anyway, I would like to help a teacher friend set up such a system for
her school or possibly district.
I would greatly appreciate some suggestions for systems. The system
doesn't need all the neat features of the big voice mail systems --
there will be no messages left for the teachers. It is purely an
announcement system for fifty or so accounts.
I would like to keep price to a minimum. A PC might be available if
PC systems are the way to go.
The district in question is not supported by a large tax base (read:
low budget, no money for such "extravagance"). For this reason I was
toying with the idea of appealing to the local phone company
(Illinois Bell) for monetary help. Does anyone think this would get
very far? I figure the phone company gets wonderful press in the local
papers and school bulletins, and maybe even a mention in the opening
announcement ( "You have reached the xxx district voice bulletin board
made possible by a grant by the wonderful, concerned people at Illinois
Bell." )
I doubt the increase in local calls to the system would be much of a
consequence, but it might count for something (every unit counts!).
Any comments on hardware or telco philanthropy would be appreciated.
(I also wouldn't mind any good contacts at Illinois Bell!)
Thanks,
Dean Sirakides | Motorola Cellular Group
...uunet!motcid!sirakide | Arlington Heights, IL
Of course I speak for myself, not my employer...
[Moderator's Note: A good place to start would be by renting a few
voicemail boxes on a temporary basis to see how well it works out and
how well it is received by parents. I would *not* recommend purchasing
a voicemail system until you have at least experimented with the
concept of teachers making recorded announcements to students. And
you are in luck! Right in your area is an operating system you can
discuss with its users: The Iroquois Junior High School, 1836 East
Touhy Avenue, Des Plaines, IL operates the '7th and 8th Grade Homework
Hotline' using public voicemail facilities provided by Centel, the
local phone company in that suburb. (I think Centel may even serve a
few spots in Arlington Heights -- I'm not sure.) The school has a
'front end' box on a DID phone number (708-518-XXXX) which serves like
a directory: press 1 for Teacher Smith; press 2 for Teacher Jones,
etc. Parents are encouraged to call and listen to what the students
are supposed to be doing that night.
As far as I know, Illinois Bell is not yet offering voicemail to
anyone except their cellular subscribers, but Centel is renting theirs
to anyone, Centel and IBT customer alike. Phone Iroquois JHS
(708-824-1308) and ask how their system is working out. Renting from
a public voicemail service might be the best deal for you. To get
details on Centel Voicemail, 708-518-6000 anytime. PAT]