An online community A place to gather Share/respond/post/listen/discuss Photos/videos/quizzes/quests/games/opinions
Many benefits especially to the ‘hidden curriculum’ the thinking and reflection, the ideas that kids need in order to learn and go forward, skills not content but content gives context Writing and spelling – self-correcting and correcting each other. Were asking me questions face-to-face “how do I ask sam nicely to change his spelling?” “what’s a good way to help Sarah get her work done on time” “managing time and resources as a group – you need to have your bit done by tomorrow Laura because I need to do my bit next. A record of this hidden info!
posting videos, images, texts, documents all in one place upload photos and have them discuss – ONE PLACE FOR ALL LEARNING – IT’S THE ULTRANET! Reflection is biggest bonus – others see what I as teacher think, they can agree or refute but must justify.
Easy to sign up All staff online, they use it first, understand it and then make use of it in class.
Worked with local council, high school and community group (BLS) Online relationships with outside ‘expert’s Inappropriate comments/posts – able to ‘ban’ members and then reinstate. Teachers needed to be aware of need to monitor it – habit developed, no problem
Many are not cyber-safe 40% have first and last name online 10% have their address and phone number!
Pretend you are a student – click on the ‘im a student button’ add in your name and the class code!
What do the kids say? Can you see the learning?
Consistency across teams/school Monitoring of site – cant set and forget! School policy needs to be developed Students access – when/how much time/expectations? Privacy _ Edmodo doesn’t require email addresses (even though it asks for them!) Email addresses = spam! Use icon/avatar not a photo – smaller digital footprint
Video: social media is here to stay – apparantly! Video focusing on business but there are links here to education – what we teach (need to teach) changes as technology changes. 4 th largest country – facebook – shouldn’t we be using the tools and methods kids are familiar with in order to teach?