It's always simpler in my head

This year I decided to roll out the use of Edmodo to my fourth, fifth and sixth grade students. For those not familiar with Edmodo, it is a free online classroom management tool where teachers can post assignments, calendars, grades, etc.. Honestly, sometimes I think it is too good to be true.


 Last year I used a sample student population and all went well. There were no concerns from parents, we used Edmodo in class when it was applicable and it was a tool responsibly used by students. All signs pointed towards an easy roll-out this year. I pictured everything happening so smoothly and effortlessly. Ahhhhhh....


Well, the picture in my head stayed, but has taken a little effort on my part to remain present. Before I share these lessons learned, I should explain that I met with my administration to explain Edmodo and give a tutorial before the school year started. I also sent home a permission slip the first week of school for each student. 


Alright, here are my little tidbits of advice:


1. Technology tools have "shiny" phases. When I first got my SMART board the students asked every day if we would use it class. I was the first in the building so it was like an arrival of a new kitten. Now this question of use is pointed towards Edmodo. This shiny phase can require patience to get through, but it will eventually fade.


2. Have answers loaded. I have gotten more questions from parents this year than last. The one glitch and blessing with Edmodo is that it looks like Facebook, which leads parents to ask a lot of questions about interacting between students, parents, etc.. To be prepared for questions I set up an example student account and teacher account, allowing me to see all perspectives of use. When thinking of parents and students, let your new motto be "Edmodo is for educational purposes" and repeat this often to both audiences.


3. Stand strong and use "read only".  Edmodo suggests students start in "read only" and move from there. I did the opposite because I wanted my students to explore early and learn lessons right from the start. When my students felt the need to post the same question multiple times under an assignment, I moved the class to read only and explained that this is part of the learning process. They knew what they did and it opened a class discussion to learn from. I prefer this process. When a younger grade student posted a social comment to the class, he received a warning of going on "Edmodo vacation". Technology literacy needs guidance and Edmodo will require you to be captain of this ship.


5. Use due dates cautiously. Classes go fast and often times due dates need to be moved because content was not covered enough to warrant an assignment being handed in on the planned day.  Instead, I have made due dates the date of information delivery and tell students when assignments are due. It results in less questions and concerns from parents and students.


6. Edmodo is for school. The socioeconomic range is my school is very large, like most schools. I sensed in parents that Edmodo for students (and them) was a must tool for home that will now require more technology, etc.. I eased it with reassuring them it is only a classroom tool.I stress to parents that I will never assign an assignment that is only technology based.  and that paper options are always given to students. 


7. Be ready for questions. I have spent some time in the last week or so answering parent Emails related to Edmodo and this is great. This means that parents are communicating and care about their child's activity on-line. I believe in using this tool for my lessons so the time this dialogue requires is welcomed and may require a deep breathe of patience on your part. While exhaling, remember parents often ask questions because they need some of your time to understand something better. Be thankful for these parents and remember your ultimate goal of technology integration. Be open to offering one to one parent sessions for a quick tutorial and post the informative videos from Edmodo on your school website.


8. Love it. I love Edmodo and only use it when it is applicable to my lesson. This is another point I stressed to my parents at Back to School Night. We use technology not as a novelty, but as a tool to make a lesson better or expand knowledge with exterior resources from the text. The other teaching tool in Edmodo is that it teaches students responsible internet use. Technology integration, PBL and internet literacy are topics I feel strongly about and I am willing to give the extra efforts and time to this year. I want my students to be engaged, collectors of information and encouraged thinkers. Thank you Edmodo for the lessons you are teaching me and my students.




For more teacher and parent resources on Edmodo visit Edmodo's website and blog.




photo taken from: http://thumbs.dreamstime.com/thumb_520/1278862833BL2hB9.jpg