Social+Media

This page will help with using Social Media tools in the classroom. Social Media is used by most of our students to interact, share, and learn so why aren't we using it in schools? There are many tools available to allow safe use of Social Media in the classroom and teach students how to responsibly use these tools to learn, collaborate and engage.

[|Edmodo] This social media tool is basically a safe Facebook. Teachers can create accounts and have students collaborate and learn is a safe, teacher controlled environment. Here are 15 ways to use Edmodo in and out of the classroom.
 * 1) **Cultural Exchange:** My Students created groups to study different aspects of Greek culture. Students can focus one one aspect and then teach all the other students about it. –submitted by Preeyam Roy.
 * 2) **National Book Club:** 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!   [| To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Ben Curran].
 * 3) **Teacher for a Day:** My school uses Edmodo to communicate classroom assignments and info for the whole student body. We also use it to make groups and have the students teach each other certain curriculum.   –submitted by Rohan Hiatt.
 * 4) **Mini-Math and Mapping Lessons:** I use Edmodo as a way for my students in my computer class to find their daily lesson. One of the lessons my students just did was to use Google Maps to find the driving directions from their home to Fort Wilderness Lodge. They have to go to Walt Disney World’s website and look up the lodge. They then have to find the lodge’s address and put that into the driving directions in Google Maps. They have to post in Edmodo the directions and the distance the trip is including how much time it would take to make the trip driving. They then have to post how much a 5 night stay in the lodge would be. As an extension, the students also have to upload pictures of the lodge and WDW parks. You could also have them post the ticket prices for entrance into the park.   [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Greg Limperis].
 * 5) **Tutor Connection:** I am the director of the learning Center at my school. I use edmodo to help tutors connect with teachers and myself as well as the students they work with. This is a great way for everyone to stay on the same page. Now when a teacher wants a tutor to know that the student has a test or needs to share other information. It can be done without waiting. We love it!   [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Tracie Belt].
 * 6) **Reading Critique:** I have the children upload their fluency files (audio clips of themselves reading) and have children comment on what they noticed the child doing well. –submitted by TeamBond
 * 7) **Mentor Sharing:** I created a group for all the intern mentors from Southeast Michigan to share ideas, get advice, and share files. –submitted by TeamBond
 * 8) **Punctuation and Grammar:** My third graders are still, unfortunately, developing the skill of always capitalizing and punctuating. So I take time to show the posts and go in and edit them with the class. It is a great way to do D.O.L with practical material!   –submitted by TeamBond
 * 9) **Teacher Lounge:** 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.    [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Ron Francis].
 * 10) **Professional Learning Communities:** 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. [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Shawn Dufour].
 * 11) **French Language Practice:** I have my students practice French phrases on Edmodo and writing using the accents on the keyboards. I can then reply immediately to their French, give them feedback immediately, and make any corrections. All in seconds. So much easier than picking up paper, correcting, then passing back.   [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to French Donovan.]
 * 12) **TV Show Live Blog**. 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!) [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Parker Johnson.]
 * 13) **Activity Tracking:** 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!) [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Parker Johnson.]
 * 14) **[|Flat Stanley]** **on Holiday:** 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! [|To learn more, send an Edmodo Connection Request to Parker Johnson.]
 * 15) **Safe Facebook:** My class uses Edmodo as a ‘safe’ Facebook. The kids like the no drama zone, and the fact that they can send a message to me or the group and get an answer about just about anything. We have used it for current events assignments, summaries but my favorite is the poll