Edmoto

toc =Edmodo=

About Edmodo
Edmodo is a micro-blogging tool specific to classroom use. It is a closed system so that teachers and students can communicate, share links and documents in a safe environment. Teachers can post assignments and students can turn them in on the site. They are in beta testing for an "ether-pad" type collaborative writing application in Edmodo.

Resources
Very Helpful!!!!!

Strengths

 * It is free!
 * Can be accessed using a cell phone.
 * Because it is a closed system, it is safe for use with young students.
 * Customer Service - Owner/Creator is easily accessible on twitter and in Edmodo to answer questions.
 * Teacher sees everything the students do, so there is no possibility of backchannel between students.
 * Teachers can reset student's password
 * No email required for students to use.
 * No age limit for use.
 * Three ways to receive notifications from Edmodo: email, text message, twitter
 * Allows students to turn in assignments online
 * Ability to make assignments, links, polls, etc., public
 * Teachers can connect in Edmodo
 * Teachers can create a group for each period or class.
 * Student friendly interface makes it easy for students to use (i.e looks similar to Facebook which many students know how to use)
 * Districts can have their own specific Edmodo community and collaborate specifically with teachers and co-workers across their county
 * Parents can be provided with a code to access their student's account
 * Edmodo is very safe, in fact there is more than 3,000,000 people in the world that use it.
 * Uses school codes now for schools to protect accounts while on school networks.
 * Pictures can be uploaded from home <span style="background-color: transparent !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;">[[image:http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png height="10" link="#"]], iPhones or any other mobile device directly to desired Edmodo page.
 * The page stays active until the teacher closes it, so the information provided is still available for students.
 * its awesome

Weaknesses

 * Needs a chat feature
 * Doesn't allow students to edit an assignment once turned in
 * Students cannot create polls
 * Would be great if it had a blogging feature built in
 * May not be effective for younger students, due to inexperience

Opportunities

 * Great way to create a paperless classroom
 * Can be used as an in class back channel
 * Allows for anonymous student polling
 * Teachers can have evening help hours
 * Students can keep in close contact with class and teacher if out of school
 * Groups can be created so teacher collaboration about specific topics (reading, <span style="background-color: transparent !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;">[[image:http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png height="10" link="#"]], third grade, etc.) can occur
 * Allows teachers to create discussion threads on page for students to have an open discussion right on class page.
 * Allows teachers to create quizzes online and get instantaneous results.

Threats

 * Students and parents should be aware that there is always a chance someone will post something inappropriate. Understanding this is necessary to get past initial problems that may occur with implementation of any web 2.0 tool. (This can be controlled by the teacher. Teacher has ability to delete threads and comments made by anyone in their created group).
 * Strict penalties must be put in place to deal with misuse.

Classroom Uses

 * While showing a movie in class, have students use Edmodo as a back channel to post observations, questions, and enhance discussion.
 * Have students answer a teacher-created poll in Edmodo during a discussion to check for understanding.
 * Have students post their work and then critique each other's projects.
 * If you set the activity as an assignment, the system allows you to grade the projects and give the student feedback.
 * Backpack feature is a way for students to save links in Edmodo's Library Tab, giving them the opportunity to organize their links by category, subject area, or interest.
 * Can be used as a space for students to collaboratively work to <span style="background-color: transparent !important; background-position: initial initial !important; background-repeat: initial initial !important; border: none !important; display: inline-block !important; float: none !important; font-weight: bold !important; height: auto !important; margin: 0px !important; min-height: 0px !important; min-width: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; text-decoration: underline !important; text-indent: 0px !important; text-transform: uppercase !important; vertical-align: baseline !important; width: auto !important;">[[image:http://cdncache-a.akamaihd.net/items/it/img/arrow-10x10.png height="10" link="#"]] their writing skills. In small groups students can rotate through responsibilities in which different students each have an assigned task of writing to a prompt, revising the writing, and critiquing/scoring the writing. These responsibilities can rotate so that students each take turn in these roles and work collaboratively to improve their writing skills in small teams