Edmodo

Edmodo- This week I've been assigned the tasks of experimenting with Edmodo. Here we go!

Demonstrate Curiosity
Emodo is a technology tool that facilitates educational developmental collaboration between teachers, students and parents. At first glance Edmodo is divided into four sections, each section is full of resources to maximize the experience of using Edmodo, those groups are Administrators, Teachers, Parents and Students groups. Edmodo prides it self on being soical, and connecting people around the world to effectively teach many content areas. Edmodo is safe and appears to be user friendly. Based out of California, this system keeps learners at the forefront of their business. Edmodo also prides it self on being mobile, this platform may be used on multiple devices. Instant access Edmodo and all of its great features create constant and instant communication between all four groups. This tool takes the guess work out of learning for teachers, parents and students. With one click each member of a particular group has access to what's going on in the classroom as a whole, whats going on with the student individually, and a calendaring system. Messaging features on Edmodo create a light, fun and social atmosphere. When used properly Emodo has the potential to bring teaching into the 21 century with ease. Edmodo appears to be a great tool for closing the generation gap between all three groups.

Evaluate Technology Affordances
One of the tag lines for this particular product is "teaching made social", this cool tag line says it all. Social media is taking over, social media is no longer considered the future, but now the present. The features assigned to Edmodo create opportunity for fluent communication between parents, teachers, admin and students. Edmodo is interactive, can be customized, and complementary to students and teachers. Edmodo offers link to resources from around the globe. For example a few of the teacher features are access to standards, automatic populated questions and answers that may be used for bell ringers, exit tickets etc., messaging and a calendaring system. Edmodo takes a lot of the guess work out of teaching. For a new teacher Edmodo will answer a lot of questions or may be used as a guide/ resources. For an experienced teacher Edmodo reevaluates teaching practices, list new resources and bridges the gap of technolgy use in the classroom.

Identifies Approaches or Strategies
A feature of Edmodo is it keeps real time track of students progress. The snapshot features allows teachers to see if their students are "getting it". This Edmodo feature describes to teachers in real time what area they should focus on, what students needs more attention in an area of learning, what works and what doesn't work. This tracking devise takes assessments and evaluations to the next level. With Edmodo teachers can strategically plan grouping students together in groups based on their strengths. With snapshot the actionable feedback allows teachers to personalize teaching moments for each student in the classroom. Again students, parents, and admin have access to the same information on some level.  

Applies Theoretical Perspectives (Pedagogical Approaches)
Edmodo, is an active tool that encourages healthy effective communication. Edmodo may be used in multiple setting, classroom, home, and on the go. Teaching and or learning isnt limited to the classroom environment. Real world connections are being established. Teaching and/ or learning are more meaningful to all involved because students are able to relate to real world experiences that students value as important and memorable. Edmodo delivers intimidate feedback therefore challenging activities can be created when needed. Classrooms can be designed

Integrates Technology with Instruction
Edmodo can be used in many ways in the classroom. Edmodo may be used to guide and / or build lesson plans. Edmodo may be used to track students progress, standards, and communication to parents, students, and admin. Teachers can deliver the classroom to the home of the students as well using Edmodo. I personally would use the messaging and calandering feature to communicate with parents and students on assignments. I would use Edmodo standards as a guide to build classroom lesson plans. I would also use Edmodo to create individual action learning plans for students that are in need of individual attention. Edmodo can be used in all content areas.

Overall Edmodo is a platform that mirrors social media while allowing teachers to create, facilitate and communicate effectively to admin, parents and teachers. This technology tool when used effectively can maximize a teachers teaching capabilities.