more Edmodo ideas

 Ok, maybe we’re exaggerating.  But they are pretty fun ideas:)  Following are unique ways to use Edmodo that go beyond the basic features.

1. Science Fair Exhibition Hall: Create a “Science Fair” group and send everyone in the school the group code so they can view powerpoint, glogster, video summaries of student science projects.  A great Virtual Exhibition to showcase student work.
2. Playground: Kids are kids and sometimes they just have something funny that they are dying to share.  Create a “Playground” group where students have free reign to post whatever they want (with guidelines for appropriate use of course — encourage expression and creativity, but reinforce the need for boundaries and appropriate behavior).
3. In the News: Create a Current Events Group and allow students to post articles and blogs that are relevant to classroom curriculum.  Review posts at your morning meetings.
4. 21st Century Field Trips: On your next field trip, leave the worksheets at home.  Divide students into small groups, (ensuring at least one cell phone is available in each group).  As they wander through the museum or landmark, post scavenger hunt questions on the Edmodo mobile app to which students race to respond.
5. Lunch Count: Create a simple poll each morning – as students walk in the door, keep Edmodo open on your classroom computer and ask them to ‘check in’ on the poll on their Edmodo account.  Presto – instant lunch count, attendance, or whatever information you need to track.
6. Data Tracking Diary: Create a Data Tracking Group and use it as a filter on your calendar.  Students can enter daily data points on the calendar (growth of classroom plants, weather charts, countdown to Spring break), then filter the calendar to show only these entries.  Print it or export to .csv and use the data for graphing or qualitative analysis.
7. Announcements and Special Events: Celebrate milestones by creating a classroom group that highlights birthdays, college acceptance, sporting events, and other milestones in students lives.

Ok, I can see every grade level using this for #5 in PR elementary.  I don't know if WMS has to do this, but they do have to take attendance...what a clever and engaging way to do this.  Also, I loved #6...I can see this used in long term projects in science.  I am thinking of moon phases, weather conditions, plant growth, absorption data, etc....I need to play with the filter feature as well.  #1 is great for science fair presentations Ann!  I wonder what else others have said.  Let me keep reading....

Here's one...talk about collaboration...

"Oh well...I will still share...my class and about 7 other classes around the country are using edmodo as an online book club...discussing the same book that we all read to our classes every day!"

As for PLC...this is a clever idea..."I set up a "Teacher Lounge" (a comfy sounding staff room) for our school, where we can share ideas, files and links that would seem like spamming if we sent it via email to "all teachers" on staff. Much like your Playground idea for the kids, it has created a casual environment where ideas can freely flow, be discussed and easily browsed." and this one, "I am an elementary school principal using Edmodo as a tool for my school grade level Professional Learning Communities. Each group meets once every three weeks and uses Edmodo to post their minutes of the meeting and then any follow up or discussion that occurs between meetings. I also use it to post to the entire staff important documents such as blank field trip permission forms and such that all staff need access to. By posting them in Edmodo they remain in all libraries and are accessible by all staff. It has been a very useful tool for my school Professional Learning Communities."  I can even see myself using this for PTC...maybe more people would chime in on topics and votes would be really easy through a poll!  Gotta love this idea.  I may pursue this if the new president is interested.  Hmm....

These are cool--PE data...never thought..but yeah!  

1. TV Show/Educational Material feedback in Real time. Have the students “homework” be to watch a specific show (PBS, News, Weather Channel, etc) and have them send notifications on interesting parts of the show in real time to their fellow classmates. Start class discussions while students are in the comfort of their own home and get them thinking about what their learning from the broadcast and how it can connect in school. Then talk about it in class the next day (I know sometimes some students won’t have TV’s but you could offer it as extra credit, just an idea!)

2. Much the same way you talked about Data Tracking Diary I could see this used in Physical Education. Have students assigned a pedometer and have them enter daily step totals. Set goals for the students or groups to reach week to week (Could have pedometer costs but could work with PE teacher, or even incorporate math by having them find averages, daily overall step totals, etc.) Competition can even be set between the groups to see who can get the highest total (integrating Physical Activity in ANYTHING these days in my eyes is a great way for the mind to wake up and be ready to learn!)

3. I know in the past teachers have talked about students being sad they can’t “Edmodo” over the summer just because really there is no need with students out. Well keep the learning going by posting a “Flat Stanley” project for the summer. (Even though it may not consist of a grade it’s a great way to keep the students learning) Towards the end of the year have students create a Flat Stanley (small paper figurine they create and decorate) and have them take it around to different places over the summer and share their experiences with other students. Have the students have a template with questions like where did you go, what did you learn, what was the most exciting part, etc. This can help students learn about different parts of the country (or world) based on their classmates travels. This allows them to stay in the loop with other students as well as facilitate learning over summer “brain breaks”. This can be done in the summer, or even over breaks!

Ok, Kolleen...this takes role playing to a whole different level...check it out...

"We just signed the Declaration of Independence today that was “Fedex’ed” to us by T. Jefferson in Philadelphia… Students have been collaborating with him and other founding fathers for weeks in our History Edmodo Group in talks of separation from England.  Last week, we took excerpts then rewrote in kid terms, submitting via Edmodo for his approval their draft. He accepted it and penned it all night, and the parchment arrived this morning… Buzz at lunch was “How did Mr. Miller do that?” (Jan 12, 2011 )"

Yet more ideas and info for great presentation websites:

"I use Edmodo CONSTANTLY. It’s how I manage my tech classes. Students get their assignments, turn the assignments in, get their grades from Edmodo. They also ask me questions, ask their classmates questions. My classes are completely paperless! (Yesterday )"
"Mrs. Nechamkin – Today, I am grading online projects that students created last week to help them review for their final exam. Students used spaaze.com, toondoo.com, prezi.com, glogster.com, goanimate.com, or edu.gloster.com for their projects. It is great to sit and watch students take their tests while I grade. I can quickly enter comments on the assignment, input a grade both here and my gradebook. And, I don’t have to take any projects home!"

Writing idea:  "We have been using it in 8th grade for writing vocabulary sentences and having conversations about them. Best use of student written vocabulary sentences I have had in years. The complexity of their sentences have improved (no more “I have morose.” type sentences), they are using the words in context and they are peer correcting. It has been fun reading their conversations and I expect top grades on this week’s test. (7 hours ago )"