What's new for Edmodo?

So, I was going to sit down and compile my Edmodo information but remembered Edmodo is getting a major facelift and I might have to relearn a lot of the new features anyway in order to compile the "how to" for the Livebinder I am creating.  Not only is Edmodo getting a whole new look, but it also will have three major new features:  Discovery, Insights, and Apps!  Yes, I said apps--these will be available for U.S. teachers this fall!

Let's start with the new look:  Here you can see the basic set up.  Within the red circle on the right you will have a quick access to all your notifications.  This will help to let you know who has questions, who has completed what assignments, etc....  In the yellow circle on the top left you will see some new menu tools.

1. Calendar:  This will be transformed into a planner rather than just a monthly calendar.  You will be able to fill in and view weekly assignments and assign badges as progress assessments in order to further map out each unit and what is due for students when.  In addition, you will be able to create a task list in which to help you keep track of your "to do's" as they come up!  
2. Grade Book:  This is evolving as well.  Badges can be used as progress rather than just grades.  It seems that teachers will need to assign different badges for different skills.  For example, a teacher working on multiplication tables with students may have a badge for each number 1x, 2x, 3x, etc....  With the new badges page you can quickly see who has achieved what! (See second picture above.)
3. Library:  I am not sure about this icon...guessing.
4. Folders:  Now you can create folders in which all your units are pre-arranged (can be re-ordered throughout the year) and stored in the classes.  You just check the boxes next to an assignment when you are ready to assign it.  It looks like these assignments will be in your library and you can add the folders to multiple classes--looks like we won't need that dummy class any more and can make all assignments and assessments ahead of time and keep it nice, neat, and organized!
5. Managing Groups:  This seems to also be streamlined.  You will be able to access all small group info on one page...you can also compare data quickly for the whole year or by subject!

NEW FEATURES:

1. Discovery:  This gives you instant access to resources you can use right away.  Now instead of going to the subject community, posting the topic you are teaching, and requesting materials you can just click on this icon and type in the topic you are teaching at the top of the screen.  Instantly you will receive a listing of resources on the that are commonly used and can be added to the library.  On the right you have a list of the teachers you are connected with and the topics they are teaching.  You will also see other teachers that are teaching similar content who you might add as connections, the topics most commonly taught in conjunction with what you are teaching and the topics most commonly taught at this time in the school year to help build possible content connections.  You can also search by topic...they are expanding this library as we speak!
2. Insight:  This is an impressive feature that students will soon have access to...they will be able to use emoticons to tell you how they are felling or doing with a particular assignment or assessment.  They can express things like:  didn't have enough time, didn't study, finding it confusing, difficult, fun, engaging, etc....  Great tool for teachers to get a general feel for how things are going in the classroom.    You also can quickly see who is behind in assignment and who is viewing materials.  (I thought this would be a great tool for Gail and Ann as they flip their classroom!)
3. Apps:  This surprised me a little...but Edmodo is not contracting with apps and building them into Edmodo itself.  Now students can access these apps directly from Edmodo (teacher sets it up--only two available right now) and all work is posted directly to Edmodo and grades are directly connected to Edmodo by student as well.  I don't know if this will solve the lack of a file system on the iPad or not--but it might!  There should be more apps available in the coming months--keep checking it out!

That is all I know so far...here is the video from the last EdmodoCon Conference summarizing the information above!  Enjoy!

P.S.  Be sure to visit the other sessions as well!  Lots of great information!