EDMODO IS GREAT!

Edmodo is an excellent social networking tool for teachers, and students.  I had not heard about this tool until it was mentioned in our EDTC 625 Conference. This tool alleviates my initial worrisome thoughts about stranger danger.  My worries, however, are not unfounded.  According to Harper (2010, p. 19), "52% of schools surveyed by Grimwald and Associates in 2010 for the National School Board Association strictly prohibited the use of social networking sites at school." 

Although contrary to the National School Board Association, the creators/developers of Edmodo have raised the BAR well-above standards in assuring "safe digital citizenship online."  To date, neither safety standards nor the school's budget have been compromised by using Edmodo. There is never a fee charged for using this "private, social, communication platform" Harper (2010, p.19)

Edmodo "is a private, social communication platform that allows teachers and students to correspond without worry "about e-mail addresses, spammers, intruders, or violating privacy laws" Harper (2010).  "Students are given a school code and can only join Edmodo by using this code" Harper (2010, p.19). This code gives the teacher total jurisdiction over established groups and users of the social network.

Students enjoy having the ability to communicate in school on this social network with the permission of their teacher and parents.  As well, Edmodo's homework helper allows teachers to  keep an open line as they communicate "with students  and parents outside of the classroom" Harper (2010, p. 19).

Communication with students via Edmodo both inside and outside of the classroom serves to meets several Standards including Information Literacy Standards as noted by the American Library Association (ALA) below:

1) "Determine the extent of information needed

2) Access the needed information effectively and efficiently

3) Evaluate information and its sources critically

4) Incorporate selected information into one's knowledge base

5) Use information effectively to accomplish

6) Access information ethically and legally"

 Edmodo is an excellent classroom tool!

Chicago: American Library Association (1989-2000). Presidential  Committee on Information Literacy. Final  Report. 

Retrieved September 28, 2011 from the website:

http://search.ala.org/search?q=Information+Literacy+s&output=xml&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&client=default_frontend&num=10&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&site=ACRL&proxyreload=1&proxystylesheet=ALA_DIVISION

Grimwald and Associates, comp (2010): Creating & Connecting  Research and Guidelines on Online Social and Educational Networking. Publication: Alexandria:  National School Boards Association. We , 24 Jan.  2010. http://www.nsba.org/site/docs/41400/41340.pdf

Harper, A.L. (2010).  Social networking with Edmodo: let your digital footprints lead the way.  Kentucky English Bulletin Western Kentucky University.  Retrieved September 28, 2011 from
http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=4&hid=112&sid=ab6dd5b0-793d-4e91-b10d-86c57ee86cd9%40sessionmgr104

Cyber Safety and Our Students

http://web.ebscohost.com.ezproxy.umuc.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=16&hid=24&sid=eedb3e20-833a-45df-9145-a05a8dd0e37c%40sessionmgr10

Cybersafety in the classroom is a growing concern and a highly prioritized conversation amongst teachers, administrators and parents. Whose responsibility is it to assure that our children are practicing safe surfing?  What can we do to make sure that our children do not slip through the cyber cracks at school or at home?   What age, do we begin teaching our children about Internet safety?  Should we incorporate cyber safety into the curriculum and mandate teacher training  in cyber safety? 

Without a doubt, these questions have most certainly been asked before, but there are no consistent answers being given.  While most teachers and parents want the best for our children, they do not always agree on boundaries. That is, what should be taught to children, when it should be taught (age wise), and who should be the first to teach it?

Butler (2010) voices his opinion about cybersafety.  He provides insight and some of the answers to questions noted above.  Do you agree or disagree with his answers on cybersafety?   Why or Why not?  What, do you believe, is the best possible way to handle this matter: book reading, mandatory teacher training, Professional Development activities, routine student presentations, more parental training and classroom involvement, curricular mandates, etc.?  How are you handling and/or how would you handle the matter of cybersafety in your classroom?

Voice your opinion about Cyber safety after reading this article. Answer one or all of the questions posed in this paragraph. 

Butler, K. (June 2010).  Cyber safety in the classroom. District Administration, vol 46, (6), p.53-57. Retrieved September 26, 2011 from the Education Research Complete database.

Draw Stickman

Hi Rodney,

This is a real stress reliever.  I drew a whole stick family:)

Aretia

http://www.xtranormal.com/

Hi Rodney,

That's an interesting website that you've found.  I visited and enjoyed the brief movie.
I'll have to check it out further when I get some time.

Thanks,

Aretia