Learning #1: Students need a platform for their voices to be heard.
We introduced Edmodo with one page, KSE Rocks! For my first lesson, I posted simple questions, "What's your favorite book?" and had students reply. Then they were given the opportunity to post questions. The original plan was to use this page for training purpose and then transition to pages for the content areas, math, writing, and science/social studies.
It became obvious early on that our students also needed their own page just to blog and talk with each other. So, we decided to give them that outlet via the KSE Rocks! page. The page has really developed into an affinity space for our students (Gee, 2004). It’s so much fun reading and responding to their posts and I'm really getting to know them better. We have one student that hardly talks in class and she’s posting all the time on the page. I made the realization that the site even’s the playing field socially for our students. Students that normally don’t socialize with certain students are now all talking to each other on the site. This is a very exciting unintended consequence. The content of their postings are very simplistic and not intended for educational purposes, but the communication is allowing teachers and students to build relationships, hence strengthening our school community and culture.
It became obvious early on that our students also needed their own page just to blog and talk with each other. So, we decided to give them that outlet via the KSE Rocks! page. The page has really developed into an affinity space for our students (Gee, 2004). It’s so much fun reading and responding to their posts and I'm really getting to know them better. We have one student that hardly talks in class and she’s posting all the time on the page. I made the realization that the site even’s the playing field socially for our students. Students that normally don’t socialize with certain students are now all talking to each other on the site. This is a very exciting unintended consequence. The content of their postings are very simplistic and not intended for educational purposes, but the communication is allowing teachers and students to build relationships, hence strengthening our school community and culture.
Learning #2: Students need guidance.
I attempted to direct students on the front end by having them sign an Edmodo Code of Conduct and doing some lessons on appropriate posting. Even with these efforts, I'm still having to remind students to made sure their posts are school appropriate. We have also tried to guide students by asking specific questions on the KSE Rocks! page and in the content areas for homework. Overall, students have been very responsive to the questions.
So far, I've had to erase two student’s posts because they were inappropriate. I felt like Big Brother! One girl posted a picture of a creepy van that said to call police if you see this car. We certainly don’t need parents and kids getting worried over nothing (snopes confirmed my suspicions). A boy posted something about meeting at his house to play after school. I only removed this because I specifically told them that this was not a use for Edmodo.
I will continue to guide them and use each these teachable moments. I have to remind myself that they are new to social networking and so excited. This is a great chance for them to gain the skills, tools, and know how of social networking etiquette.
So far, I've had to erase two student’s posts because they were inappropriate. I felt like Big Brother! One girl posted a picture of a creepy van that said to call police if you see this car. We certainly don’t need parents and kids getting worried over nothing (snopes confirmed my suspicions). A boy posted something about meeting at his house to play after school. I only removed this because I specifically told them that this was not a use for Edmodo.
I will continue to guide them and use each these teachable moments. I have to remind myself that they are new to social networking and so excited. This is a great chance for them to gain the skills, tools, and know how of social networking etiquette.
Learning #3: Teachers must be invested.
Teachers must have“buy-in” in order for social networking to be successful at school. Without teachers posting, responding, and encouraging participation, the momentum seems to be dwindling. The students need this audience, beyond their peers, as motivation.
I introduced the entire KSE staff to Edmodo at a Teacher Collaboration Day. Teachers were very excited about the concept and all seemed very interested. I shared some of our fourth grader’s posts and they were all very entertained.
Using social networking at a writing tool is now officially written into our Unified Improvement Plan (UIP). I’m excited that people are getting on board with digital literacies and hopeful that our student’s passion for writing will increase as they gain a broader audience. I believe that we’re teaching kids great skills and it's just a matter of getting my colleagues to make this connection. I also think it’s a great way to write across the content areas, help them achieve a greater audience, and provide variety to their homework options.
I introduced the entire KSE staff to Edmodo at a Teacher Collaboration Day. Teachers were very excited about the concept and all seemed very interested. I shared some of our fourth grader’s posts and they were all very entertained.
Using social networking at a writing tool is now officially written into our Unified Improvement Plan (UIP). I’m excited that people are getting on board with digital literacies and hopeful that our student’s passion for writing will increase as they gain a broader audience. I believe that we’re teaching kids great skills and it's just a matter of getting my colleagues to make this connection. I also think it’s a great way to write across the content areas, help them achieve a greater audience, and provide variety to their homework options.