Blended Learning: Edmodo

Since I have begun taking my EDT courses at Wilmington University one of the most important buzz words that I heard were “Blended Learning”.  At first I did not know what this referred to, but through my reading my understanding grew.  Blended Learning classrooms, in which technology based learning and traditional face-to-face learning co-exist, are the way in which education moves.  One of the biggest realizations that I had was that without knowing the terminology, I was already doing this within my classroom.  One of the first Web2.0 tools that I was exposed to when I began teaching was Edmodo.  Through using this I was already creating a blended learning environment, but through my reading and discussions in my EDT courses, I have learned how to effectively use the tool even more.

Edmodo is a site that can be used to benefit both students and teachers in the K-12 classrooms.  It offers opportunities for communication and collaboration on a daily basis, both in and out of the classroom.  It is also not only a way for teachers to communicate with students, but with colleagues and parents too.  Edmodo also has a very user friendly platform (similar to that of Facebook).

One of the biggest benefits of using Edmodo as an educator is the number of connections that you can build.  These connections can be from a district level, all the way to a global level.  The first thing that a teacher sees when they log on is teachers posting from all over (pictured below).  In these post teachers can either ask for or post about resources and strategies that work in their classrooms. One example I can provide is that a few years ago, I was working on a unit involving the story “Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry,” and was in need of a class set of books in which my school could not provide.  I posted on Edmodo to my fellow educators about my need, and within a few days a teacher reached out to me with a class set, I only need to pay the shipping and handling. While I have yet to have the opportunity to this, it would also be a fantastic opportunity to reach out to teachers about connecting classes of students.   

Another fantastic connection that Edmodo creates is the ability t0 communicate with parents with ease.  As students are connected to their classes, parents create accounts and use the same codes to connect.  As assignments and posts are uploaded, the parents are alerted.  This is a great way for parents to understand what is going on in their student’s classrooms, as well as assisting in holding students accountable (which is a big need in my district!).  I know that from communicating with parents in my own district, they appreciate being able to see what is going on in school and be connected to their student’s learning.  Parents also have the ability to message teachers, which makes communication extremely easy and accessible.

But now to discuss how it can be used within your classroom.  Edmodo offers so many opportunities for you engage, assess, and instruct your students in a variety of ways.  Depending the number of grades that you teach with determine the classes in which you need to add.  As a middle school teach I have 5 different sections, and Edmodo makes it very easy to organize my classes and content.

As you can see from the graphic above, teachers have four major posts that they can use in their sections.  Notes can be used as reminders for students, I like to use them to post flipped classroom videos, or reading that students need to review before a class.  Assignments are where students can upload, and teachers can grade, assignments.  The quiz option allows teachers to create quizzes with a variety of questions (open ended, MC, fill in the blank, etc.).  This a great way for teachers to use formative and summative assessment.  The students’ progress will also be tracked through Edmodo, and are aligned to standards.  Finally, there is the poll feature, in which students have the opportunity to poll students based on things covered, or things that will be covered, in class. With all post students have the ability to post questions or ideas that they have concerning the post.  During this time students are also given the opportunity to interact with each other.

Another great thing about Edmodo is the cell phone application.  Students, especially at the middle school age, do not always have access to computers or lap tops at home.  The cell phone app allows students to still communicate within the classroom even without those tools.  Over the past year, Edmodo has continued to develop the app, making it cleaner, and easier to use.

I hope that through this post I have encouraged you to consider checking out the use of Edmodo within your classroom.  With Blended Learning becoming more and more useful, I believe this is a wonderful tool to help you execute that model.  Please feel free to reach out with any questions on how to incorporate Edmodo in your classroom, through 6 years of use, I have become well versed.  Another great way to get information in through following @Edmodo on twitter, they are constantly posting updates.

HAPPY LEARNING!