Broadcast Messaging allows users to send messages to multiple recipients, while still keeping your cell number private. Here are the details on Broadcast Messaging, specifically for our Higher Ed users.
Note before we start: Contacts must be marked with the Star on the Student Card Contacts page in order to receive the Broadcast. SchoolStatus has pre-selected the cell phone number as the preferred contact for each student if that student has multiple contact numbers. To edit the preferred contact status, click on the Student Card, then Contacts, and select the Star icon next to the number you want to select as preferred.
Instructions for Using the Web
Click Broadcast from the bottom right of the screen.
Click +New Message, the orange button.
Select your audience: Class, A Student Group, or Individual Contact(s) or any combination of those.
Select Class if you want to send a broadcast to all the students in a course or class.
Use the dropdowns to select the teacher's name and then the term. Select the class by clicking + Add. Then, click Next.
Check that you have contacts showing here. Remember, these recipients are the preferred contact numbers for each student. Then, click Next.
Type your message and click Send.
NOTE: Broadcasts send the same message to multiple students. Students who respond to the Broadcast will reply only to you, not the rest of the recipients.
When a student has replied to the Broadcast, you'll see the indicator on the Messages button.
Instructions for Using the Mobile App
Start by clicking Conversations at the bottom of the app. Then, click Individual or Broadcast at the top right. From here, you can continue a conversation by clicking on any of your previous messages or you can click the + in the top right corner to start a new message. For the purposes of this article, we'll be sending a Broadcast Message.
Continuing a Conversation
By clicking on a previous message, you'll be able to see all previous messages sent to this same group of contacts. You'll have plenty of options here as well. You can click the 'i' icon at the top right to see the current audience. At the bottom of the app, you can take a picture, attach an existing picture, or translate a message.
Clicking the 'i' information icon allows you to title your Broadcast and see your current audience's information, as mentioned before.
Starting a New Message
If you'd prefer to start a new message, simply click the + icon. You'll be presented with the option of starting an Individual Message or a Broadcast Message.
Once you click Broadcast Message, you'll be taken to the next screen where you can name your Broadcast and choose your contacts. Once that's done, click Create. *If you're choosing an Individual Message here, you'll immediately be asked to choose a student and then can start your message.
After clicking Create, you'll be able to type your message and send it. You can also attach an image here or translate the message, as well. Once sent, you'll be able to see it on the Conversations page, as expected.
PRO TIP: Make sure you have the correct number of contacts as recipients. If that number is incorrect, you'll want to double-check the contact numbers marked preferred. Broadcast messages only go to the preferred (or starred) phone numbers. Click the information icon to review your audience.
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