Design Experiment #2

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In this weeks design experiment I explored the world of Course Management Systems-CMS.  A course management system can be defined as an internet-based application that provides access to course content, discussion boards, grade books, and communications.

There are many different CMS available for educators to use as part of a blended learning environment.  Using a CMS in conjunction with a face to face classroom can save time and will improve the learning experiences for your students. 

Why CMS?

• Provide easy distribution of materials
• Keeps up to date information
• Creates engagement of learning through different activities
• provide consistency of learning
• Allows for tracking of students work and grades

This weeks exploration starts with Edmodo, a CMS that was developed in 2008. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edmodo

Edmodo

Over the past couple years as I have been working on my degree I have researched Edmodo never really sure if I wanted to use. This is the first time that I can see myself implementing Edmodo as a blended learning tool for the courses that I teach.  Edmodo offers quite a bit and it is free! What makes this CMS a strong contender among other CMS are the following features: it's free, a secure site, provides communication with students and parents, easy to use, mobile friendly, has a calendar for due dates and events, quizzes, polls, grades, discussion boards, can be used with Google Drive, helps with differentiation, and of course going paperless.  

Check out this link:
20 Ways to Use Edmodo
https://support.edmodo.com/hc/en-us/articles/205007974-20-Ways-to-Use-Edmodo-Teacher-

My classroom site!

As I was exploring the platform I found it to be easy to navigate.  Once I created the group,an access code was generated that I would share with my students.  My students would need to create an account with a username and password, emails are not required. But,because this does work with Google an email address would be needed. (I'll compare the two later in my post.) This platform offers excellent opportunities for students to actively participate in their learning.  Through the discussion boards, polls, quizzes, calendar of events, and messaging. Not only are the students involved, so are the teachers.  Teachers can invite a second teacher to collaborate, which can help with scaffolding and team teaching.  Results are immediate for quizzes and polls, which can help with content understanding at the end of class.  Edmodo provides a strong platform to support a blended learning environment.

As I have been exploring Edmodo, I have been making connections with the affordances that this technology provides and supports.  I think it is agreeable that one of the affordances of the is platform is the accessibility of  information for teaching and learning. Each year I have a couple of students that are out on maternity leave or there is an injury that puts a student out.   Using this CMS can keep those students part of the class, rather than sending miscellaneous work home that may be difficult to follow and a loss of connection with their classmates.  I could record direct instructions, upload handouts, students can still collaborate, though not in the classroom the students can still be part of the community.  Another affordance of this CMS is communication and collaboration. Edmodo is a social site, students communicate with each other, teachers, parents and teachers can communicate, and teachers can set-up small group communications. Being able to control who discusses with who can be an advantage.  I always find the same students start off discussions, which at times determines the direction of the discussion. However, by choosing the groups other students will have the opportunity to be leaders and share.  Also, sharing can happen at anytime, or until the due date.  In the classroom a bell typically ends the sharing time, but with Edmodo sharing continuses outside the four walls. 

I believe that students learn best by doing, which leads to discovery, socialization, and development of knowledge.  Constructivists believe “learning occurs when one constructs both mechanisms for learning and his or her own unique version of the knowledge, colored by background, experiences, and aptitudes" (Roblyer, 2006, p.37). Knowledge is therefore constructed and not transmitted and students generate new knowledge through activities, experiences, and experiments.  Edmodo, supports this learning theory by enhancing the learning of the students.  Students have the opportunity to engage in student-centered learning and practicing responsible learning.  As we develop in our education it is vital that we learn how to become a responsible learner.  Edmodo, provides a platform for 21st Century learners to interact and practice collaboration, thinking critically, and life/real skills.  The technology is interactive with the student, that is the technology not only supports the leaner, but is an active part of the learning process.

Edmodo vs Google Classroom

From all my research last week and this week I honestly feel that both have a lot to offer.  I do not think a teacher needs to use both, one or the other will work just fine.  I'm going to say if you are in a district that supports Google, than I would use Google Classroom.  As a teacher that uses several Google Apps for education it only makes sense for me to use the Google Classroom, every thing is connected.  As for Edmodo, I had a colleague last year try it for the first semester in her classroom and it was not successful. There were tons of sign in problems and the kids rarely accessed outside of class.  Now, I do think some of that could have been fixed through conditioning, but I understand.  This year she is excited to try Google Classroom.  

Urinarte, Jen & John. "Constructivism and Technology in the Classroom." N.p., n.d. Web. 19 June 2016.