Edmodo is another social media site that I have been using recently. Like Classroom 2.0, Edmodo is designed for education. Edmodo, unlike Classroom 2.0, unites students and teachers on a safe platform for communication. For the students, I have found that this is a far better use of social media than Facebook or Twitter. Because this is a more secure platform, and it allows teachers to control content, it seems like a great way to connect students and teachers beyond the classroom walls. As more of my students begin to join Edmodo, the interest and excitement with this social networking site seems to be growing. I think usage of this site will continue to expand, and I look forward to a time when using Edmodo is a common practice for all students.
Social Media is a rapidly growing component of educational technology. The number of connections being built among educators and students, on social networking websites catering to education, is increasing at an astonishing rate. As a frequent user of Twitter and Facebook, I was excited to learn about another networking site, designed specifically for educators, Classroom 2.0. This website hosts over 45,000 users from across the globe with a focus on educational technology. Not only was this site very secure (it required account approval), it was easy to navigate and user friendly. In browsing the discussion forums, I came across many topics of interest. In one discussion, I read the dialogue between users about Interactive White Boards. The debate focused on which device, Promethean or Smart, was more effective and efficient. I found that every participant contributed a valid point and an interesting perspective. Sometimes, on discussion forums, users encounter irrelevant, emotion-filled comments. This was the complete opposite. Users were engaged in productive and meaningful discussions. I was definitely impressed by the quality of the collaboration and ideas exchange. As a teacher, I see this as being a great resource for professional learning. Not only is it a place to gather and share ideas, users can browse topics of interest for learning. Classroom 2.0 provides a safe place for educators to unite in collaborative practices related to educational technology.
Edmodo is another social media site that I have been using recently. Like Classroom 2.0, Edmodo is designed for education. Edmodo, unlike Classroom 2.0, unites students and teachers on a safe platform for communication. For the students, I have found that this is a far better use of social media than Facebook or Twitter. Because this is a more secure platform, and it allows teachers to control content, it seems like a great way to connect students and teachers beyond the classroom walls. As more of my students begin to join Edmodo, the interest and excitement with this social networking site seems to be growing. I think usage of this site will continue to expand, and I look forward to a time when using Edmodo is a common practice for all students.
2 Comments
3/24/2012 10:31:15 am
Hi Maggie! I really enjoyed reading your blog about social networking. You were succinct and your commentary was very meaningful. I agree with both of your points about social networking in general and Edmodo, specifically. I, too, enjoyed the excellent quality of exchanges on Classroom 2.0 as well as Ning's English Companion. I found these sites to be beneficial to teachers looking for ways to collaborate and learn from one another. Seems these sites are more for teacher professional development than student engagement.
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Molly
5/2/2012 06:15:36 am
Maggie,
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Maggie Phillips
3rd Grade Teacher Archives
May 2012
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