Using+Edmodo


 * == [|Edmodo] ==
 * Helpful Hints for School's Implementing the Use of Edmodo
 * Edmodo can be used by various groups as a social networking platform.
 * In the classroom, Edmodo can be used with the entire class and with small groups.
 * Our media specialist/technology integration specialist set up the Edmodo account as a classroom-based account in order to ensure classroom and student privacy.
 * This ensures that all teachers are using the same basic applications. Teachers may request others, but all apps requiring student interaction must be run by the tech office first.
 * This practice also allows for continuity between years negating the necessity of re-entering students each year. Students can be assigned to a new class each year.
 * Even though Edmodo can be made very private, __never__ use your students full names when creating student accounts.
 * When introducing Edmodo, we place maximum restrictions on student accounts.
 * Now, Edmodo posts and comments can be set for teacher approval. Prior to this feature, Edmodo was the final platform I introduced into my class structure. Students felt like they had earned Edmodo, and I monitored Edmodo very carefully.
 * We allow parents "Guest" privileges in our group which allows parents to visit the classroom Edmodo space, however, we limit parents to a "read only" status. If parents have a concern or comment about anything they see or read on Edmodo, we ask that they email either the classroom teacher or the tech integration specialist.


 * == Key Steps to Implementing Edmodo in the Classroom ==
 * Establish clear expectations for digital citizenship on Edmodo.
 * Our rules look something like this:
 * Think before you post. We spend some time talking about appropriate content for an academic post.
 * Treat Edmodo as you would any submitted writing assignment.
 * Always proofread your post for spelling errors, grammar errors, and sentence structure.
 * No Text Speak Allowed! We are practicing our writing skills!
 * Since Edmodo allows for some casual conversation, be careful to only post school or class relevant conversation to the feed.
 * Remember that your entire class, other people in our school, and your parents may read your posts.
 * What you say in your post or in your comments reflects upon you.
 * Edmodo provides a back-channel for students to discuss academic content, ask questions during instruction or research, or introduce different ideas into the class's collective thoughts.
 * We focus on these rules:
 * Paraphrase the original post. Put in your own words what a poster has said so that he or she feels understood and so that the other participants can read a concise summary of the post from your point of view.
 * Check for Meaning. Sometimes our interpretation of a writer's post is not exactly what the poster meant. Check for understanding of a post or ask the poster to clarify what he or she meant in their post.
 * Give Positive Feedback. Recognize an interesting or insightful comment even if you disagree with it. We all like to be recognized.
 * Elaborate. Add on to a previous poster's comments by giving examples from the text, connecting the text with something in the real world or another text, sharing some background knowledge, suggesting a new way to view the character or problem, etc. This gives the previous poster credit for their ideas, but allows others to add to the conversation.
 * Consolidate. Find the Common Ground. Pull together ideas, showing their relationship to each other. When several people are passionate about their positions, they sometimes don't realize that they may be saying the same thing, just in different ways, or that their ideas are related to each other.
 * Summarize. Keep it on topic. Sometimes when discussions drift off topic. By summarizing the major views of the group, you narrow the focus back to the topic.
 * Summarize. Keep it on topic. Sometimes when discussions drift off topic. By summarizing the major views of the group, you narrow the focus back to the topic.