E is for Edmodo
What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is a secure online learning tool that has a similar set up as Facebook. Teachers create an account and set up classes. They are then given a classroom code which they supply to students. Students create accounts and then add their teacher's classes. Students and teachers must sign in every time they come to the site. Only those with access to a particular class can view it. There is also an option for parents of the students to see the classes. Teachers can post information, pictures, assignments, quizzes, videos, links, or anything else they need to share with students. There is also a professional development opportunity for teachers; they can add communities they are interested in and other teachers share ideas and resources. |
How am I using Edmodo?
This is a tool that I began using the minute I got a teaching job. I was introduced to it in a technology class at University. I have three active classes - a grade 5/6 class, a 7/8/9 class, and a WE DAY club class. I have also used it as a discussion board for a book club I did one summer. I use Edmodo essentially every day in my classroom. In the morning, I post video clips of news stories for the day and the daily announcements. If we are in the computer lab that morning, the kids view the videos and read the news on their own. If we are in the classroom, I show the videos to the whole class and read the announcements to them. Throughout the day, I might use it to share links of web pages I want the students to visit for a particular research project. I can also create assignments that I want the kids to hand in, and I can mark them directly on the site. The kids get immediate feedback - I can leave a mark, comments, suggestions etc. I also use it as a tool to share photos of events we have participated in or projects we are working on. Often, myself or a student will take a picture of text I have written on the board and then will share it with the class so that everyone has access to it. This is excellent for homework checks or instructions for assignments. It is also helpful for taking pictures of class notes when a student is away. It is a great tool for sharing with students, and it is a platform for us to start our day. If we are doing a new blog post or starting a research assignment, I will post the instructions on the blog even if I hand out a paper copy. That way, if anyone loses the paper, they just go to Edmodo for the assignments and I don't have to print another copy. There is no excuse for lost handouts.
This is a tool that I began using the minute I got a teaching job. I was introduced to it in a technology class at University. I have three active classes - a grade 5/6 class, a 7/8/9 class, and a WE DAY club class. I have also used it as a discussion board for a book club I did one summer. I use Edmodo essentially every day in my classroom. In the morning, I post video clips of news stories for the day and the daily announcements. If we are in the computer lab that morning, the kids view the videos and read the news on their own. If we are in the classroom, I show the videos to the whole class and read the announcements to them. Throughout the day, I might use it to share links of web pages I want the students to visit for a particular research project. I can also create assignments that I want the kids to hand in, and I can mark them directly on the site. The kids get immediate feedback - I can leave a mark, comments, suggestions etc. I also use it as a tool to share photos of events we have participated in or projects we are working on. Often, myself or a student will take a picture of text I have written on the board and then will share it with the class so that everyone has access to it. This is excellent for homework checks or instructions for assignments. It is also helpful for taking pictures of class notes when a student is away. It is a great tool for sharing with students, and it is a platform for us to start our day. If we are doing a new blog post or starting a research assignment, I will post the instructions on the blog even if I hand out a paper copy. That way, if anyone loses the paper, they just go to Edmodo for the assignments and I don't have to print another copy. There is no excuse for lost handouts.
What are the advantages of Edmodo?
1. Edmodo is similar to Facebook both visually and functionally. Therefore, students find it very easy to navigate and the teacher has to do very little teaching to show the students how it works. It is also very easy for a teacher to use who has used Facebook in the past. Younger students also think Edmodo is "cool" right away because it looks like a social media tool they are already aware of. They can create a profile and change their display picture, so it makes them a little bit excited right off the start to see what else they can do.
2. It is an easy way to share with students. I don't have to go through their desktops or any other sharing tool and I don't have to write lengthy links on the board for students to go to a particular website. It is fast and easy. I can even set dates and times of when I want to release information or an assignment so that I can get ahead of the game. They have access to Edmodo anywhere that they have the internet. You can even get an app for your cell phone or iPad.
3. Parents can also have access to your classrooms if they make an account and have the classroom code. There is opportunity there for a communication tool. I like that the site is secure and not open to the public. I can share photos of students without being worried about them being open to the public.
4. Once your students accounts are set up, it is very little maintenance. I try to only teach the kids one skill on the site at a time so it's not overwhelming for me. I will show one student how to do something and then they have to teach two others, who teach two others and so on until everyone knows the skill. That way, I am not overwhelmed by questions. I can save assignments if I want, eliminate groups as the year ends, create new groups for the next year, and change student's passwords if they forget.
5. Environmentally, it saves a lot of paper! If students are completing assignments digitally and submitting them digitally, we have essentially eliminated the use of paper! I also don't have to print copies of announcements or print instructions out for students; I just post them on our page. This is not practical in all circumstances, but it does open doors to new opportunities for saving resources.
6. Opportunities for professional development and "scavenging" of resources from other teachers.
1. Edmodo is similar to Facebook both visually and functionally. Therefore, students find it very easy to navigate and the teacher has to do very little teaching to show the students how it works. It is also very easy for a teacher to use who has used Facebook in the past. Younger students also think Edmodo is "cool" right away because it looks like a social media tool they are already aware of. They can create a profile and change their display picture, so it makes them a little bit excited right off the start to see what else they can do.
2. It is an easy way to share with students. I don't have to go through their desktops or any other sharing tool and I don't have to write lengthy links on the board for students to go to a particular website. It is fast and easy. I can even set dates and times of when I want to release information or an assignment so that I can get ahead of the game. They have access to Edmodo anywhere that they have the internet. You can even get an app for your cell phone or iPad.
3. Parents can also have access to your classrooms if they make an account and have the classroom code. There is opportunity there for a communication tool. I like that the site is secure and not open to the public. I can share photos of students without being worried about them being open to the public.
4. Once your students accounts are set up, it is very little maintenance. I try to only teach the kids one skill on the site at a time so it's not overwhelming for me. I will show one student how to do something and then they have to teach two others, who teach two others and so on until everyone knows the skill. That way, I am not overwhelmed by questions. I can save assignments if I want, eliminate groups as the year ends, create new groups for the next year, and change student's passwords if they forget.
5. Environmentally, it saves a lot of paper! If students are completing assignments digitally and submitting them digitally, we have essentially eliminated the use of paper! I also don't have to print copies of announcements or print instructions out for students; I just post them on our page. This is not practical in all circumstances, but it does open doors to new opportunities for saving resources.
6. Opportunities for professional development and "scavenging" of resources from other teachers.
What are the disadvantages?
1. Again, it is another tool that you have to experiment around with to learn how to use it efficiently. It is easier to navigate than other sites if you are already using Facebook. If you have never used Facebook, you would likely have to watch a few tutorials. It isn't very time consuming to learn, and students seem to pick up the site easily, but if you are nervous about technology it may take more time.
2. You have to sign up for an account as a teacher and in order to do that, you have to have a legitimate educational email. Someone that is not a teacher would not be able to sign up for an account. For example, a University student in an education class would not have a school division email, and so they would not be able to sign up for an account.
3. It does require some maintenance and supervision. There are controls the teacher can implement if students are using the site inappropriately. For example if a student is posting inappropriate comments, you can block their ability to post and share with others. Sometimes the kids forget their passwords, and that can be a little bit annoying, but you can reset them from the teacher account.
1. Again, it is another tool that you have to experiment around with to learn how to use it efficiently. It is easier to navigate than other sites if you are already using Facebook. If you have never used Facebook, you would likely have to watch a few tutorials. It isn't very time consuming to learn, and students seem to pick up the site easily, but if you are nervous about technology it may take more time.
2. You have to sign up for an account as a teacher and in order to do that, you have to have a legitimate educational email. Someone that is not a teacher would not be able to sign up for an account. For example, a University student in an education class would not have a school division email, and so they would not be able to sign up for an account.
3. It does require some maintenance and supervision. There are controls the teacher can implement if students are using the site inappropriately. For example if a student is posting inappropriate comments, you can block their ability to post and share with others. Sometimes the kids forget their passwords, and that can be a little bit annoying, but you can reset them from the teacher account.