Edmodo Technology Training

Professional Development Grant Proposal

Krystle Leanza
Jessica Kirkland
Jessica Hutcheson

Abstract
This training will be used to instruct faculty and media specialist in the use of Edmodo
for instructional purposes. The purpose for using Edmodo is to increase opportunities for 21st

century learning, and communicate easily with parents and students. The objectives are to have
educators creating an Edmodo account, using it consistently for instructional purposes, and
creating a communication tool for parents and students. Each activity will train attendees to build
their site, maintain and use their site throughout the year, and reflect on how they used, or could
have used, their site. The attendees will walk away with knowledge of a new 21st century
learning tool, and they will also have access to a Google Doc with links and information related
to Edmodo.
Demonstrated need
In Savannah-Chatham County Public Schools, there is a push to focus on integrating
21st century technology into classrooms across the district. Currently, teachers have been
encouraged to use a website called Edmodo to increase student collaboration, parent/teacher
communication, and overall technology use in the classroom.
Some teachers in some schools have been offered a brief introductory online training for
the website. However, the training provided is insufficient. The training given has taught
educators to use the website for professional learning. Using the site as an adult is undoubtedly
different from using it with elementary aged children. Currently, only teachers who have desired
the training or needed it for professional purposes have enrolled in the online class. It is not
required now, so every teacher does not have information on how to use the website
appropriately. However, with the push for digital literacy and online communication tools, it very
well could be required soon.
In addition to the encouragement of technology use through Edmodo, teachers are also
being encouraged by the district to go as paperless as possible. The website Edmodo has many

features that allow a teacher to use very little paper. Teachers will need explicit instruction on
how to use the provided website as a tool to eliminate paper tests and assignments.
Presently, there are very few teachers who have received instruction on how to use Edmodo in
the classroom at the elementary level. Teachers will need to be instructed on how to properly
implement the website with their students. They will need to know the basics of Edmodo such as
creating an account, creating a course, posting assignments, managing apps, uploading items to
the library, finding features, and distributing the site code so that parents have access to view the
content.
For the purpose of this grant, data was collected, summarized, and analyzed in regards to
the use of the learning management system Edmodo. Data was collected in the form of a survey
and in person interviews. When collecting data, surveys were emailed to participants. Group
interviews were conducted on the school campus during school hours with 4 participates at a
time (this was due to availability and time constraints). The data yielded the following results:
Out of the 20 grades 3-8 teachers interviewed only 6 teachers had any experience using Edmodo.
Out of the 6 teachers who had experience using Edmodo, only 2 teachers used this site with
students. The other 4 teachers had experience with using Edmodo for a professional development
course that they had previously taken. Out of 6 teachers who had used Edmodo, 3 people knew
how to explore the apps within Edmodo. All 6 teachers were able to create a course within the
website. None of the teachers were familiar with the library feature. 2 of the teachers were
familiar with the Snapshot feature which is used to create formative assessments. 5 teachers were
able to create assignments within the course. Lastly, 1 teacher was aware of how to find the
parent code to enable parent access to course page. When interviewed, one participate stated, I
think the students are more familiar with how to use todays technology than the teachers are

these days. This statement justifies the need for more professional development across the
board. Our teachers are not being trained on the technology that is being brought into the school
system. The Edmodo Technology Training will help bridge the gap that is occurring.

Goals and objectives

By August 2015, all certified staff (grades 3-8) and library media specialist will be
trained on the use of the learning management system Edmodo using clearly defined
processes so teachers can effectively utilize 21st century learning as a learning and
communication tool with staff, students, and parents.
By December 2015, all certified staff (grades 3-8) and library media specialist
will implement the learning management system Edmodo with other staff members,
professional development coaches, and assistant principals for professional learning in
the area of technology and 21st century learning skills, so that staff can become
acquainted with how tools can be utilized in the classroom for learning and to
communicate with parents and students.
By March 2016, all certified staff (grades 3-8) and library media specialist will
implement the learning management system Edmodo in the classroom to immerse
students in 21st century learning and to provide a tool for communication with parents
and students.
Plan of Operation
The plan of operation is going to focus on the timeline (Specific dates in which the plan
will be implemented), the activities that will take place, goals and objectives that we will focus
on, and how the activities are reflective of effective professional development.

The timeline that we chose reflects dates specific to the average school year in which
teachers are actively participating in different types of professional development activities and
trainings relative to their specific district requirements or recommendations.
It is important to have everything organized when conducting professional development
trainings, with that being said, our activities are reflective of well-organized training activities in
which the participants will gain a lot of knowledge and will be engaged throughout the training.
With the first training (Dated August-November), it will focus on creating an Edmodo account
that is catered to the participants personal needs. During this specific training, the participants
will also watch a tutorial on how to create their account as well as complete a quick assessment
following the tutorial. The next training (Dated December- February) will focus on using
Edmodo as a form of communication with students and parents. There will be discussions among
the participants on communication with parents and students. Following the discussion, the
participants must watch a Prezi and then create a Blendspace to demonstrate what they have
learned from the training. During the months of March-May, the final trainings will be conducted
in which active participants will be evaluating their Edmodo sites which they have created and
began using during the first two trainings prior to this one. They will also make any changes
necessary to have an updated site for the upcoming school year. Once this has been completed,
the participants will be given a scavenger hunt to do on features of Edmodo. They will then
summarize what they have learned by creating a trouble shooting pamphlet using a web 2.0 tool.
Timeline

August-November
2015

December-February 2016

March-May 2016

Activity

Training- Building and

maintaining an
Edmodo account.
Focus: Creating a
personal account and

Training- Using Edmodo to

further educational practices
and communication. Focus:
Instructional Uses, Creating
a platform for

Evaluation- Teachers
evaluate their Edmodo
site to make changes
for the upcoming year.
Focus: Maintaining

fitting the site to your

personal needs and
wants.
Activity: The learners
will watch a tutorial
video on setting up an
account. They will set
up their account and
complete a brief
assessment on the
steps:
https://docs.google.co
m/a/georgiasouthern.e
du/forms/d/1opFNzdh
dhKxaG5H8D4S2AH6XSHTCWR
aN8hkVsr7BGs/edit

communicating to students
and parents.
Activity: The learners will
have a discussion on
teacher/parent
communication. The
learners will watch a
Prezi:https://prezi.com/_m4
pb1dtj_no/creating-21stcentury-learners-edmodoin-the-social-studiesclassroom/.
After the information is
learned, the learners will
create a Blendspace to
demonstrate their
knowledge and also find
additional resources on
using Edmodo for
parent/teacher collaboration.
Their assignment will be
evaluated using a rubric.

Edmodo course page,

creating assignments,
uploading to library,
and using apps to
increase 21st century
learning skills with
students.
Activity: The learners
will complete a
scavenger hunt on the
different features of
Edmodo. They will
summarize the
information they
learned by creating a
trouble shooting
pamphlet using a web
2.0 tool of their
choice.

Goals/
Objectives

By August 2015, all

certified staff (grades
3-8) and library media
specialist will be
trained on the use of
the learning
management system
Edmodo using clearly
defined processes so
teachers can
effectively utilize 21st
century learning as a
learning and
communication tool
with staff, students,
and parents.

By December 2015, all

certified staff (grades 3-8)
and library media specialist
will implement the learning
management system
Edmodo with other staff
members, professional
development coaches, and
assistant principals for
professional learning in the
area of technology and 21st
century learning skills, so
that staff can become
acquainted with how tools
can be utilized in the
classroom for learning and
to communicate with
parents and students.

By March 2016, all

certified staff (grades
3-8) and library media
specialist will have
implemented the
learning management
system Edmodo in the
classroom to immerse
students in 21st
century learning and to
provide a tool for
communication with
parents and students.

How the
proposed
activities are
reflective of

The tutorial delivers

concrete instruction on
how to begin with the
website. It models the

The discussion about

communication and
collaboration activates prior
knowledge. The Prezi

The scavenger hunt is

an interactive activity
that promotes the use
of previously learned

effective
professional
development

procedures for the

teachers. The
assessment provides
room for reflection on
what has been taught.

provides new information

about how to intertwine
what teachers already know
with 21st century learning
applications. The
Blendspace activity
provides learners with a
choice of resources and
helps them synthesize their
learning.

skills. The pamphlet is

a formative
assessment provides
learners with the
opportunity to express
what they have learned
in a creative way.

Evaluation Plan
Teachers will be given a survey at the beginning, middle, and end of the year to evaluate their
use and preferences on Edmodo. They also have a evaluation piece of their activities where the
attendees reflect on their use of Edmodo throughout the school year. This allow us to see how
Edmodo was used in their classroom, and it allows them to reflect on how they could alter the
Edmodo experience for the next school year. See appendix for information on surveys.

Description of Goal

Achieved-Y/N

Goal 1

By August 2015, all certified staff (grades 3-8) and

library media specialist will be trained on the use of the
learning management system Edmodo using clearly
defined processes so teachers can effectively utilize
21st century learning as a learning and communication
tool with staff, students, and parents.

The goal will be

achieved after the
professional training
session is complete in
the school. Attendee
will be asked to sign in
for a record of who
attended the training.

Goal 2

By December 2015, all certified staff (grades 3-8) and

library media specialist will implement the learning
management system Edmodo with other staff members,
professional development coaches, and assistant
principals for professional learning in the area of
technology and 21st century learning skills, so that staff
can become acquainted with how tools can be utilized
in the classroom for learning and to communicate with
parents and students.

This goal will be

completed when a
course is created for
the staff in Edmodo.
The participants will be
responding to
discussions and
working on
assignments as well.

Goal 3

By March 2016, all certified staff (grades 3-8) and

library media specialist will have implemented the
learning management system Edmodo in the classroom
to immerse students in 21st century learning and to
provide a tool for communication with parents and
students.

This goal will be

measured by assessing
teachers on the tools
used in the site and
asking them to share
their Edmodo courses
at the professional
development seminar.

Budget
Item

Description/Explanation (Narrative)

Price

Subs

The teachers will be given substitute teachers for their

professional development day. In the event that there are 32
teachers attending the training, and the price of the substitutes
is $85 per day, then the total amount will be as listed in the
price column.

$2,720.00

Stipend

Each teacher will be provided with a stipend for attending the

training. Each teacher attending the training will receive a
stipend for $75. In the event that there are 32 teachers
attending the training, and the price of the stipend per teacher
is $75, then the total amount will be as listed in the price
column.

$2,400.00

Pamphlet/
Powerpoin
t

None- Details found on Google Doc.

$0.00

Office
Supplies

Pens, notepads, pencils, highlighters, markers, red pens, and

sticky notes for taking notes will be provided for attendees.
An approximated cost is listed in the right column.

$100.00

Lunch

Lunch is to be purchased by attendees during an hour lunch

$287.64
break. The lunch will be boxed sub sandwiches from Publix
supermarket with a small tea or lemonade and chips. The price
for this for approximately 32 people plus the 4 local
technology coaches is included in the right column.

Breakfast

Breakfast will be provided to attendees prior to the beginning

of the training seminar. The breakfast will be Chick Fil A
chicken biscuits, coffee, and orange juice. The price for
breakfast for approximately 32 people plus the 4 local school

$158.44

technology coaches is listed in the column to the right.

Total Cost:
$5,666.08

References
Abilock, D., Harada, V. H., & Fontichiaro, K. (2013). Growing Schools: Effective
Professional Development. Teacher Librarian, 41(1), 8-13.
Fernandez, D. (n.d.). SchoolGrants. Retrieved March 17, 2015, from
http://www.k12grants.org
How to Sign Up as a Teacher. (2014, March 28). Retrieved March 17, 2015, from
https://support.edmodo.com/home#forums/20791804-how-to-sign-up-as-a-teacher
Lutrick, E., & Szabo, S. (2012). Instructional Leaders' Beliefs about Effective
Professional Development. Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin, 78(3), 6.
Maryland Teacher Professional Development Guide. (2008, November 1).
Retrieved March 17, 2015, from
http://mdk12.org/share/pdf/MarylandTeacherProfessionalDevelopmentPlanningGuide
Winfrey, E.C. (1999). Kirkpatrick's Four Levels of Evaluation. In B. Hoffman
(Ed.), Encyclopedia of Educational Technology. Retrieved March 17, 2015, from
M http://coe.sdsu.edu/eet/Articles/k4levels/start.htm
Appendices
The following survey will be used as a pre and post survey to evaluate the use of Edmodo by the
attendees at the beginning and end of the school year, or training.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TQSKTLS
Site for Edmodo Assessment:
https://docs.google.com/a/georgiasouthern.edu/forms/d/1opFNzdhdhKxaG5H8D4S2AH6XSHTCWRaN8hkVsr7BGs/edit

 Prezi used for presentation on parent/teacher communication:

https://prezi.com/_m4pb1dtj_no/creating-21st-century-learners-edmodo-in-the-socialstudies-classroom/
Mager and Pipe Performance Model Questions
Question

Yes

No

Is there a gap in performance? Yes

Could they do it if their life
depended on it?

No

Results: Provide training, coaching, feedback, mentoring, job aids.

Raw Data
Sample Size=20 grade 3-8 teachers

Survey Question

Number of
Teachers (grades
3-8)

Date in Percent

Do you have any experience using Edmodo?

30%

Do you use Edmodo with students in the

classroom?

10%

Have you used Edmodo during a professional

development course?

20%

Do you know how to create a course in Edmodo?

30%

Do you know how to explore the apps within the

site Edmodo?

15%

Are you familiar with the library feature (which

involves uploading materials) in Edmodo?

20%

Do you know how to use the Snapshot feature of

Edmodo?

10%

Are you familiar with how to access the parent

code to enable parents to sign up for your course
Edmodo page?

5%

Do you know how to create assignments in your

Edmodo course?

25%