Edmodo:
Website: www.edmodo.com
I have been using Edmodo since September 2010, after it was mentioned on twitter and i decided to explore how to use this in PE. I read the reviews, signed up and saw the potential it had to be used for my BTEC class.
Edmodo has very similar features to facebook (e.g. adding students, posting messages/ alerts, commenting on posts) and it allows you as a teacher to create a group (e.g. BTEC Class). Once you have created the group, the students can then join that group by receiving the class code from the teacher. It then allows the students to see your messages in their feed and access resources from the class library.
See below;
The great features of Edmodo are listed below;
- Posting: This is a great feature as unlike facebook you can monitor the messages sent by the students. Why? how? because Edmodo only allows you as the teacher to send individual messages to students (e.g. I give students instant feedback on their coursework and the students can reply to this. Allowing our conversation to be saved and for them to refer back to at anytime). If the students want to post a message it is only sent to the group or to the teacher. Allowing students to post questions to the teacher or to fellow students when working on coursework and breaking down the communication barrier outside of the classroom (24/7 classroom).
- Library: Creating folders for modules is a great way to provide resources for students. It is not only limited to files, as when you post a video from YouTube it is automatically saved and is available to students without giving them a extensive list of links to look at. In addition, when students post resources to the group they are also automatically saved in the library and are available for them to read. Therefore, creating a collaborative learning environment and the students exchanging resources. Which is great because when it is posted you know who the author is and minimises the opportunity to plagiarise.
- Grades: Students are able to submit coursework, teachers are able to see who has handed it and who hasnt. The students are then possible to see their grade on Edmodo, meaning that they dont have to wait till the next class to find their grade out.
It has had a significant impact on the delivery of the BTEC course and the students have benefited from using this FREE resource in PE.
Benefits:
- 24/7 Classroom.
- Collaborative classroom.
- Communication is up to date with the way that students communicate daily (e.g. posting messages like facebook), inclusive to all students to contribute in and out of class and not via email.
- Creating a paperless classroom as students post homework on the teachers wall (e.g. analysing a technique in basketball, students find a video on YouTube and post it to the group with comments or post documents to the group).
- Coursework conversations are saved on the students wall for reference at tutorials and parents evening.
Edmodo is amazing FREE resource that i have introduced to the rest of the PE department at Djanogly City Academy Nottingham and it is now being used in GCSE PE classes. I would recommend that any examination class should use Edmodo and see the potential it has to enhance learning and teaching.
If you would like any more information dont hesitate to contact me on twitter.
Pat Keirnan
Physical Education
