Edmodo is a private microblogging tool for teachers and students to send notes, links, files, alerts, assignments, and events to each other. Teachers sign up for accounts, and then create groups. Each group has a unique code which is distributed by the teacher to the class. Students then sign up (no email address required) and join the group using the code.
Advantages of the tool
Enhances communication in the classroom. Students can communicate with the teacher and ask questions even while not at school.
Increases efficiency in completing and turning in homework assignments on time. Once students turn their homework in online, they don't have to worry about remembering to bring it to class with them the next day. It also helps the teacher keep track of who has and hasn't turned their homework in.
The teacher can post assignments and due dates and comments on completed and graded homework assignments all in one place, increasing efficiency.
Students can share good websites they have found, or links to things that have been done in class, increasing effectiveness.
Increases effectiveness because teachers would be able to post reminders and announcements specifically for their class (versus the school website, which would typically show reminders and announcements for the whole school), and parents could check the Edmodo site to see what is going on in their child's class.
Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool
Checking the site- students are not remembing to check the site, anf for this site to be successfull the students must check the site and do it often. Differentiation- is also a problem, many times teachers give out different homework to different students and using this site it has to be clear to the students which homework they have to complete. Passwords- Students often forget their passwords and as a teacher you are not able to acess their account so you can tell them what their password is. If they can't remeber it, then they can't acess their homework that has o be completed. Increased workload- Teachers have to spend a great deal of time on updating and posting things on the site, and that can become a great work load. If the site is not updated then the students will not know what it is that they are to complete.
Application of the tool in your subject area
Using this tool to post assignments for the students. There will be no need for paper copies, the students will get on this site to complete there homework, then the teacher will be able to see what they completed right from the site. The teacher will have to make sure that post all of the assignments for each students and make sure the students know which assignment is to be completed. The teacher will have to post any changes to the assignment and post if any students have questions. The students will be completing their assignment online and submit it. If they have any questions about the assignment they are able to ask their peers or the teacher directly from the site.
Communication Tool: Edmodo
Group Members:Melanie Neale & Jenna Myers
Brief introduction of the tool
Edmodo is a private microblogging tool for teachers and students to send notes, links, files, alerts, assignments, and events to each other. Teachers sign up for accounts, and then create groups. Each group has a unique code which is distributed by the teacher to the class. Students then sign up (no email address required) and join the group using the code.Advantages of the tool
Disadvantages (limitations) of the tool
Checking the site- students are not remembing to check the site, anf for this site to be successfull the students must check the site and do it often.
Differentiation- is also a problem, many times teachers give out different homework to different students and using this site it has to be clear to the students which homework they have to complete.
Passwords- Students often forget their passwords and as a teacher you are not able to acess their account so you can tell them what their password is. If they can't remeber it, then they can't acess their homework that has o be completed.
Increased workload- Teachers have to spend a great deal of time on updating and posting things on the site, and that can become a great work load. If the site is not updated then the students will not know what it is that they are to complete.
Application of the tool in your subject area
Using this tool to post assignments for the students. There will be no need for paper copies, the students will get on this site to complete there homework, then the teacher will be able to see what they completed right from the site. The teacher will have to make sure that post all of the assignments for each students and make sure the students know which assignment is to be completed. The teacher will have to post any changes to the assignment and post if any students have questions. The students will be completing their assignment online and submit it. If they have any questions about the assignment they are able to ask their peers or the teacher directly from the site.
Find a tutorial video on YouTube
Useful Resources
1. http://twitter.com/edmodo
Go here to read updates about Edmodo and see questions that have been answered about it.
2. http://blog.edmodo.com/
Edmodo also has a blog, which is updated regularly with information and news about the website.
3. http://www.mrwarner.com/2009/03/enhancing-communication-with-edmodo/
This is a blog post that does a good job of explaining the ins and outs of Edmodo.