With the rapid growth of social networking sites influencing education, policy makers and educators face numerous challenges in order to meet the growing demands and expectations of the learners. Our learners are born and brought up with technology and they expect the same life style in their education system. As educators, we must recognize the potential for ameliorating student engagement inside and outside the classroom using these technologies.
Facebook has been used as a tool in education throughout the world. With many of its advantages in the daily life of our students, there are many risks involved in it. Edmodo, on the other hand, is purely a personal learning network (PLN) developed by educators with education in mind. It has a similar interface to Facebook and is free of charge, it is easy to create the account or a classroom, and has simple functionality. It is very safe since an educator can limit who may join the group; i.e. students are invited explicitly.
This professional development workshop explores the numerous ways in which Edmodo can be an ideal tool for meeting the ever-growing challenges to support student motivation and participation inside and outside the classroom. It is a short result-based training course adapted to meet the needs of 21st century teachers who wish to acquire new skills or enhance their competencies in real-time situation.
6. Why Learning Network?
• Numerous challenges for policy
makers and educators
• Growing demand and expectations of
the learners
• Changing student and teacher roles
• Common use of new technologies
• Technology dependent curriculum
• Enhanced student involvement
11. • Personal Learning
Network (PLN)
• web-based educational
tool
• provides a secure learning
platform for learners and
educators
•connects teachers and
students both inside and
outside the classroom.
13. Features of EDMODO
• Free
• Privacy
• Used in any subject
• Assign and explain online
• Attach links, media or files
• Organize content in EDMODO permanently
• Create polls and quizzes
• Grade online with rubrics
• Grade book / Progress Report
• Calendar / Planner
• Library
• Threaded discussions- prepare for online learning!
• Parental access
14. Security Features
• Managed and controlled by the teacher
• Need an access code to join the class.
• Students can only communicate to the whole class
or to the teacher.
• Anonymous posting is not possible.
• Teachers can delete posts.
• Available as a website, an app, on twitter or a
blog.
15. How do I start?
• Create a teacher account.
• Create your class group.
• Provide guidelines to the class about the purpose of
the EDMODO group and expectations of how students
will use EDMODO.
• Start off small – there are many features and ways to
use EDMODO.
With the introduction of digital technology, the K-12 classroom environment is gradually being transformed. Wish to know how? Go through this list:
Student and teacher roles are in flux, with students now taking an active part in their own learning.
Teachers are also becoming learners as they shift into new styles of information sharing.
Classrooms are also undergoing physical changes to accommodate the structural needs of a technology-dependent curriculum. The classroom of the 21st century reaches out beyond its four walls, bringing in external resources with digital tools.
The advent of technological tools like wireless Internet access, mobile communication devices and more has led to the onset of 21st century Blended Learning approaches of learning.
Technology in schools has also encouraged our focus on engaging and interactive learning, which is achieved through social forms of student interaction. This allows students to learn off-campus, online.
There is enhanced student involvement so that students don’t get bored or become inactive.
Students are now prepared for the working environment where technology skills are imperative for job searching and training.
Synchronous learning is where students learn at the same time by activities such as attending a lecture or laboratory.
Location Independent Learning (Asynchronous Learning) is the idea that students learn the same material at different times and locations.
Asynchronous learning involves the ability to maintain communication without having to meet at the same place at the same time.
The asynchronous learning environment provides students with teaching materials and tools for registration, instruction, and discussion.
Lessons become learner-centred, with the teacher as facilitator.
Build an online learning conversation with your class about your subject.
It makes using laptops easier by providing simple ways to share files and communicate online.
Encourages a peer-learning and peer-support environment – both in the classroom and online.
Students enjoy using EDMODO because of its simplicity.
Positive effects on the cognitive growth and transmission and acquisition of kills
Development of interest and sense of belonging
Help the learners in applying problem solving techniques which is more algorithmic
Sustainable deep learning
Security Features – why it’s not like Facebook
Touted as the Facebook for kids.
EDMODO explicitly deals with school and teacher concerns about social networking for students in the following ways:
Each EDMODO class group is managed and controlled by the teacher
Students need an access code to join the class. If a student shares the code outside the class, the teacher can change it, without affecting students already joined in the group.
Students can only communicate to the whole class or to the teacher – private messages between students are not possible.
Anonymous posting is not possible.
Teachers can delete posts.
If schools upgrade (free) to the institutional features, the school can audit all teacher and student activity.
Parental access to their children’s posts and to the teacher is an optional feature.
How do I start?
Visit EDMODO.com – create a teacher account.
Think about how you want to use EDMODO in your class – discuss with teachers currently using EDMODO.
Create your class group – a group access code is generated – give this to your class.
Immediately provide guidelines to the class about the purpose of the EDMODO group (for learning) and expectations of how students will use EDMODO.
Remind students of school rules on using online resources and bullying.
The most important idea to develop in your class is that the EDMODO group is owned by and shared with the whole class, focused on learning.
A few simple starters:
Post homework information.
Place digital resources on EDMODO for students to access or download,
Create polls for students to vote online.
Write short summaries of lessons for students who were absent from class (better yet: get your students to write the summary).