ClassPager is a free service that lest teachers use SMS messages to send students quizzes and reminders and receive answers and feedback from the students. It works like a clicker system, but even better.
It is easy to set up and use and there is a special code that is used so no one actually has anyone's phone numbers.
It can be used to check student understanding during a lesson, as an electronic quiz, or to even communicate with students about upcoming assignments and more.
It is free, and can even be used by non-smartphones. Standard text messaging rates apply for the students, so if that is expensive, it can be used through free texting apps (see site for more details).