Twitter inspires people everyday. Example: Me!
Today, I was monitoring my Twitter stream, when a question popped up about Edmodo. Someone had just signed up for it, and wanted to know how others used it. This is one of those great things you can do on Twitter: ask others for input! I replied with a few answers. Then another teacher joined in and shared, too. I couldn't be specific enough in 140 characters, so that's when it occurred to me that a blog post would be the best place to explain what I was trying to say.
Ways I use Edmodo in my classroom:
I am not an expert, but I've figured out a way to make Edmodo work for my students and me. (Please keep in mind that these are very simple, and others have done much more than I have!)
Poll: Using our current read-aloud, I might ask for opinions on future story events or favorite characters. Sometimes, I even use it as a class voting tool for our next read-aloud.
Discussion forum: I post a critical thinking question about anything we are learning in class: a lesson, a historical event, a book we've all read together, etc. It's a really great way of getting full participation in discussions. Students can take time to answer and be intentional about replies.
Feedback tool: What did students think about this or that particular event? Should we have this or that project? I can get opinions on things that help me plan lessons or class activities. Very helpful!
Build excitement about an upcoming event: If we have a field trip, speaker, Skype session, or book release in the near future, I use Edmodo to hype it up! Students show up at the door ready to go!
Supplemental material: I post Wonderopolis video links or websites with games/activities that help students explore the content we've been studying.
Quiz: I create short quizzes on material for students to complete at home. They get instant feedback on concepts, and I use it to steer instruction. I make the quizzes short. Teachers can decide to grade them and how that grade is used.
Connections: Eventually, once students become comfortable with the process and guidelines for posting, they'll start posting questions themselves. I am watchful here, coaching as needed, encouraging, and always making sure everyone is respectful and using the forum to help us learn. This takes time and modeling. My class was ready for this in January.
(I also have a classroom blog that I may use for similar/additional purposes. It just depends on the level of contribution I'm looking for in the process.)
As with every tool I choose to use in our classroom, my first priority is how it advances learning. I'm not using the tool because it's flashy or because everyone else is using it, but because it's functional or teaches a new skill. Edmodo continues the conversations in a safe environment, and we can connect from anywhere. I'm positive I'll use it in different ways with my next class because they will need different things!
I've also used Edmodo to create a space for a student schoolwide book club and to join teacher communities. See upcoming posts about how these work!
How do you use Edmodo in the classroom? Please share!
Shoe choice today:Yellow Box flip-flops. Style: Verona