The Project!
Kathryn Senor Elementary (KSE) fourth graders began using Edmodo in September. I began the project with several lessons, including the appropriate use of Edmodo, how we were going to incorporate it in our learning, and writing for a specific virtual audience.
With the help of the fourth grade team, Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Lord, and Mrs. Rickert, students used Edmodo as a homework option. We started with one group page, KSE Rocks!, and eventually added a group page for each content area, Writing, Science/Social Studies and Math. The KSE Rocks! page is a place where students can share their thoughts and opinions. With guidelines, this virtual space has provided a platform for their voices to be heard. This site provides insights, and recommendations, resources, and my reflections as we've implemented social networking. |
What is Edmodo?
Edmodo was created in 2008 by Nic Borg and Jeff O'Hara. According to the site, "Edmodo provides teachers and students a secure place to connect and collaborate, share content and educational applications, and access homework, grades, class discussions and notifications. Our goal is to help educators harness the power of social media to customize the classroom for each and every learner."
Students love Edmodo because it is so similar to facebook. The difference being Edmodo's high security features and intended audience. Below are some of the key features I found most useful: * Students must have a unique password (provided by their teacher) to join any group. Parents are given a unique password as well. *Only teachers can start a new group. *Students can not privately message each other. They can only communicate in the public space of the "wall". Teachers, however, can privately message a student. *Parents can only see what the teacher and their child writes on the wall. |