Blake Keith

ITEC 7445
Dr. Moore
Novermber 7, 2013
Emerging Technology Assignment

EDMODO

What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is a free online tool that allows teachers,

students, and other stakeholders to collborate,

communicate, and share resources to better student
education
Edmodo creates each member a page where they
can share materials, comment on the thoughts of
others, and collaborate with their peers.
It has elements of a flipped classroom, social media
site, and online resource bank all rolled into one.
Teachers can create post, share resources, create
lessons, analyze student performance, and even use
apps to enhance content

EDMODO

Here the founders of Edmodo

discuss their logic behind the
creation of Edmodo

What is a flipped
classroom?

A flipped classroom is exactly what sounds

like, a classroom where traditional roles
and procedures are flipped.
Traditional lecture and rote instruction can
occur outside of the classroom (i.e; at
home, on the road, students with
unconventional situations)
Class time is then spent on reviewing,
expanding, or remediating a lesson or for
other big idea activities.

What is a flipped
classroom?

Another benefit of this flipped concept is

that embraces technology usage within
the classroom, as students are free to
use any technology available to
complete assignments, activities, or
remediation.
In the flipped model, the teacher is more
of a facilitator and co-learner as
opposed to the primary dispenser of
knowledge

Technology Vision of
Gordon County Schools

While Gordon County Schools does not

have a specific technology plan, the use
of Edmodo would undoubtedly be an
asset in making the system belief of
encouraging and inviting flexibility
regarding the use of time, technology,
space, setting, and curriculum

Technology Vision of
Gordon County Schools

Edmodo (as part of a flipped model) support this

belief in that it allows:
Classroom time to be used more effectively as rote

information gathering can take place any where at any

time.
Technology becomes a focal point of daily learning.
Additionally, digital citizenship skills will be practiced as
students use the technologies associated with
incorporating Edmodo
Space and Setting can now be adapted to meet
individual learners needs
Current curriculum can be enhanced and the
possibilities of learning new curriculum, in addition to
cross curricular opportunities, are readily available

Technology Vision of
Gordon County Schools

Edmodo allows students to work at their

own pace, further allowing time, space, and
setting to become a learning tool instead of
a learning liability.
Resources are perpetually available online
The ability to present endless amounts of
resources also allows teachers to open
students up to material that may not have
been possible in a traditional setting.

Technology Vision of
Gordon County Schools
Additionally, the ability of Edmodo to allow
students, teachers, administrators, and
community stakeholders to join promotes the
Gordon County belief that Collaborative
relationships among schools, families, and the
community will provide a safe and nurturing
environment.
By utilizing a program that includes all
stakeholders as opposed to one that only
applies to in house members, Gordon
County Schools will be able to better gauge
perception and effectiveness of their decisions

Summary of benefits

Classroom time will be able to be spent on higherorder thinking activities as rote material will be
presented primarily outside of the classroom.
Opportunities for a more 1:1 environment become
possible, as teachers are now able to deliver more
individualized instruction in the class room.
Teachers are free to focus on the big picture by
planning more real life or project based learning
Resources are perpetually stored online this
creates a reduction in the amount of paperwork
A reduction in paperwork and copies will also save
the district money. This money could then be spent
on equipment that would enhance learning.

Target Audience

Gordon County is a small community located in the

foothills of the North Georgia Mountains.
The district features 2 High Schools, 3 Middle
Schools, and 6 Elementary Schools.
With a high poverty level and unemployment
remaining at a high level, many students participate in
the Free/Reduced lunch program, food stamps
program, and other assistance programs
The Edmodo program would benefit all students, but
particularly those in grades 3-12 due to their cognitive
abilities.

What Equipment is
Necessary to Use Edmodo?

First, Edmodo is free to use

However, it does allow for the purchase of
applications. These applications range from
basic functions to full out unit lesson plans
On an ideal level, students would need a device
(PC, tablet, smart phone, etc) on which to view
Edmodo
Internet connection, wireless or otherwise, is a
must since Edmodo exist completely online.
Students may also need supplemental
equipment. For example, some students may
require a traditional key board if required by an
Individual Education Plan.

What Equipment is
Necessary to Use Edmodo?

For at school purposes, the current

equipment available (computer labs, mobile
labs, tablet labs, classroom computers, and
BYOD programs) should provide every
student with the ability to use Edmodo at
school
Again, to use the program, Gordon County
Schools has what it needs

What type of Technical

Support does Edmodo
At a district level, there should be little need for
require?

technical support outside of actual device

maintenance and repair
For the Edmodo program itself, Edmodo
provides a plethora of online support, webinars,
and how to manuals for its users.
Technical support is broken down by category
and type of user
Edmodo also offers a mobile help section for
those taking advantage of the mobile
application

What type of Technical

Support does Edmodo
Not only does Edmodo offer technical
require?

support for nuts-and-bolts issues, they

also offer resources on how to
implement Edomod within a school or
district
Click here to see the Edmodo roll out
page.

Usage

Edmodo prides itself on student safety.

ALL online materials can be controlled or limited
by the educator.
Any postings, comments, or materials can be
edited, reported for abuse, or outright deleted.
Educators can also set their Edmodo sites as
read only.
While many see this as limiting the actual intent of

Edmodo, it may be necessary in some situation as

students develop their digital citizenship and
netiquette skills.

Usage

Edmodo also has in place several security

measures.
Group codes are issued to users
Once a class joins Edmodo, educators or

administrators can close the class, reducing the

possibility of outside users accessing class data

Edmodo automatically appears in a https:

format, further increasing security.

Cost

Edmodo is 100% freeto a degree

It may be classified as freemium

The basic function and the vast majority of the great

benefits of Edmodo are free
However, individuals and districts may purchase
applications that range from basics (timers and
organizers) to complete unit lesson plans
Also, if the district wished to pursue a more 1:1
model with continual access, devices would need to
be purchased.
Again, in the school setting, enough devices are
available (either via BYOD or in house technology)
to facilitate the effective use of Edmodo

Classroom Uses Teacher

Edmodo allows teachers to:

Post links, documents, videos, and announcements to a

Facebook style display.

Not only can teachers upload their own material,
Edmodo allows teachers to connect with other
educators to develop ideas for their content.
Teachers can take class polls and analyze student
understanding of topics.
Edmodo also allows students to turn in assignments
digitally No more stacks of papers to grade!

Learning goals and

Edmodo

As previously mentioned, Edmodo allows teachers to create

groups within a class (both online and in the classroom).
Edmodo allows content to be distributed at home, allowing
class time to be focused on high order skills
Teachers are able to change their classroom role, becoming
guides, co-learners, and coaches as opposed to distributors
of knowledge
Collaboration and group planning can be completed both in
class and online via Edmodos discussion boards and online
submission methods

Learning goals and

Edmodo

Differentiation has never been easier with Edmodo

Students can review materials at their own pace
Choices can be created, giving students different ways to view the

same content
Subgroups can be created in each class, with each group receiving
their own set of assignments
Jig-saw and popcorn style activities are more simple to compose
and distribute
Edmodo also allows teachers to use polls, quizzes, and other tools to
gain valuable feedback on created lessons to use in future planning

Learning goals and

Edmodo

Communication and collaboration are also more simple with Edmodo

At its heart, Edmodo provides numerous methods of teacher to
student, student to students, and community communication
features.
Since Edmodo is modeled after social media, students can post,
comment, or submit materials to their class site when they
discover it as opposed to waiting for class time.
Collaboration become more of a classroom activity as well, as
students work together to complete learning task
Edmodo is an international company with the ability to connect
students with learners from another culture

Researching Edmodo

Founded in 2008, Edmodo is still a relatively new concept.

However, the site has received numerous awards and press
accolades:
2012-2013 ESchool News Reader's Choice Award
2012 Webby Awards Official Honoree
2011 Award Of Excellence Tech and Learning
2011 Best Website For Teaching And Learning American
Association of School Librarians
2011 Distinguished Achievement Award For K-12 Social Med
ia
American Association of Educational Publishers
2011 Bessie Award For Best Multi-Subject Networking Resou
rce

Researching Edmodo

Edmodo has also received several positive press

pieces over the years:
"A Pain Free, Simple Yet Feature Laden Way To
Get Your Class/School Into Social Networking
March 24, 2010John Pearce, Educational
Consultant
"Edmodo: A Great (And Interesting) New
Opportunity July 27, 2010PBS Teachers
Program Allows Safer Social Networking For
Teachers, Students Aug 25, 2011News Channel 5
The Best Social Networks For Kids Under 13 May
24, 2012TIME - Techland

Researching Edmodo Academia

Edmodo is
essentially one of a
myriad of programs
designed with a
flipped classrooom
in mind.
Here are a few links
if you wish to dive
deeper into this
subject:

Professional
Development with
Training for Edmodo would not be as
Edmodo
extensive as other web programs
Most teachers today have Facebook.
Since Edmodo mirrors the basic format and

function of Facebook, most teachers would

be able to navigate with very little training

Professinoal development would focus

on how to implement Edmodo as
opposed to how to use Edmodo.

Professional
Development with
Edmodo has numerous online tools to
Edmodo
facilitate professional development.

Edmodo also has webinars, tutorials,

and online communities dedicated
toward professional development and
the implementation of Edmodo

Miscellaneous topics of
discussion

While funding for Edmodo is free, the desire for a

1:1 environment is most definitely not.
If Gordon County Schools were to pursue this 1:1
model, the cost would be great.
Example: one class set of tablets, a tablet cart,
master control tablet, and funds associated with
training would cost the district around $10,000
This $10,000 would cover approximately 32
students

Reflection

One of the surprising things I discovered about Edmodo was how

easy it is to use. Not only is it simple to use, Edmodo presented a vast
wealth of resources, most of them being free and ready to use from
day one.
I really enjoy the fact that Edmodo has a Facebook, community style
feel to it. This is great from a collaboration standpoint, but from a
logistics standpoint, it would be very simple to teach my students how
to use Edmodo as they are all familiar with Facebook and social
media in general.
I plan to use Edmodo in my classroom beginning next semester. I
realize that several of my students will not have the at home access,
but Edmodo can easily be used within the classroom.
Another key point I felt was great about Edmodo was the fact that its
free to use and might cost the district some professional learning
dollars if they chose to pursue that route.

Resources

Borg, N., & O'Hara, J. (2013). Edmodo: Press.

Retrieved October 25, 2013,
from https://press.edmodo.com/
Fulton, K. (2012). Upside down and inside out: Flip
your classroom to improve student learning. Learning &
Leading with Technology,39(8), 12-17.
Hamdan, N., McKnight, P., McKnight, K. & Arfstrom, K.
(2013). The flipped learning model: A white paper
based on the literature review titled A review of flipped
learning. Retrieved June 27, 2013,
fromhttp://fln.schoolwires.net/cms/lib07/VA01923112/C
entricity/Domain/41/WhitePaper_FlippedLearning.pdf

Resources - Images

Slide 3 -

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tomiogeron/2012/07/1
9/edmodo-raises-another-25-million-for-educationtech/
https://blog.edmodo.com/page/2/