5 ways to use Edmodo in Language Arts

Can I just say, "I am a dork!"  I have been getting the posts from edmodo like I wanted and then when I click on the link it tells me that I am not allowed to view it...so that goes on for a couple months...then tonight I realize I have to log in and then I can view it!  Nice!  


So, one post caught my eye tonight...a teacher blog talking about five ways she used edmodo in her language arts class.  She starts by describing a lack of success and quits; then after reassessment she tries again with new strategies.  Some I think we all should take a look at...http://finefindings.wordpress.com/2012/01/26/5-ways-im-using-edmodo-now/.  Each includes a real literature lesson idea and student examples!

1. exit tickets to find best questions (assessment, comprehension, inferencing)
2. image searching homework (cool idea--setting and character development)
3. Getting kids to be more themselves, while also looking closely at the text
4. quick polls
5. checking in (love that the teacher is checking in while home sick!)

Here's my only concern...why are these students short cutting writing?  Using slang....  I would like to see some research on the idea that students should or shouldn't be using proper writing when interacting in these ways.  I suppose it depends on the goal....  Where's the research?