One of the items I hear about quite often when talking to others who teach online, at least those who teach at the University level is the need to balance availability.  Especially with students who may live in less than compatible time zones.  My answer has been simple Google Voice with Google Voice you are assigned a phone number that you can set to forward to your cell phone (or any phone even a Skype number) and set up custom strait to voicemail rules and do not disturb times quite easily.

By using Google Voice I have my number confidently displayed in the signature file of every email and course announcement.  When students call during my “available” hours my laptop rings as does my cell phone.  I can take the call wherever I am.  If I am unavailable or they call in the middle of the night they go strait to voicemail.  Where the voicemail message is transcribed (not 100% but usually good enough to get the message) as well as recorded.

There are added benefits as well.  My in-laws live in a great location, without any cell phone reception.  Having a number that also rings to my laptop over wifi allows me to visit without needing to inform students my cell number won’t work.  The same number just works everywhere.  Also since the number is only used with students when a call comes in on that number I know how I should answer the phone unlike odd numbers ringing on my personal cell number which usually go unanswered as a matter of course.

In addition to forwarding calls, transcribing voicemails, and adding a layer of privacy Google Voice also allows for texting.  If students want to text, well you’ll get the message although I usually reply via email to their school email address it is still another method of being accessible without being completely at the mercy of calls and texts at times that just don’t work for you.

Best of all.. Google Voice is completely FREE!