Edmodo
When it comes to creating a BYOD learning environment you want to make sure you have tools that can be used on just about any web-enabled device. You also want it to be able to meet the needs of you and your students. After all, if a student is able to have their own device for learning you want the content to be accessible wherever they are. My favorite tool, which is so foundational to a successful BYOD learning environment, is Edmodo.
Edmodo forces a pedagogy shift.
In other words, there are so many features that are afforded to you and your students through Edmodo that you just can teach the same old way. Here are just a few of my favorite features:
1. Notes- We normally think of notes as short messages, but in an Edmodo note you can post as much information as you like. You can add links, embed content, and upload files to share with students. You can add your entire daily list of resources in Edmodo for students to access if you like with all the links, handouts, and other resources right within the group.
2. Folders- I love how the folders in Edmodo allow you to keep course reference material or documents that students need to refer to often. Maybe this is where you can paste login information for electronic databases or class accounts. Remember, because Edmodo groups are closed groups, you don't have to worry about sharing information that is available for just your class.
3. Library/Backpack- Just this past week, I had a colleague mention to me that she didn't see much value in Edmodo. She saw it as a way to upload worksheets and other content but she did not need that. Shortly after that interaction, she expressed an issue she was experiencing with her students. They were having a hard time emailing videos that they created because the file size was too large. I kindly let her know that Edmodo could help with that because students could upload videos to their backpack and share them with her in posts or as assignments.
1. Notes- We normally think of notes as short messages, but in an Edmodo note you can post as much information as you like. You can add links, embed content, and upload files to share with students. You can add your entire daily list of resources in Edmodo for students to access if you like with all the links, handouts, and other resources right within the group.
2. Folders- I love how the folders in Edmodo allow you to keep course reference material or documents that students need to refer to often. Maybe this is where you can paste login information for electronic databases or class accounts. Remember, because Edmodo groups are closed groups, you don't have to worry about sharing information that is available for just your class.
3. Library/Backpack- Just this past week, I had a colleague mention to me that she didn't see much value in Edmodo. She saw it as a way to upload worksheets and other content but she did not need that. Shortly after that interaction, she expressed an issue she was experiencing with her students. They were having a hard time emailing videos that they created because the file size was too large. I kindly let her know that Edmodo could help with that because students could upload videos to their backpack and share them with her in posts or as assignments.
Edmodo & A BYOD Learning Activity
My favorite BYOD learning activity is :
Paper-Slide Videos - When I have teachers create one of these in our BYOD training sessions, they fall in love with how easy it is to produce these simple one-take videos. It's one of my favorites because it mixes a little "low-tech" creativity with a "high-tech" mobile device. When students are done they can upload their videos to Edmodo. I havent't found a video file yet that Edmodo doesn't like. It's easy to upload their completed videos right within the group for you and your students to view.
If you don't know what a paper-slide video is check out this video:
Paper-Slide Videos - When I have teachers create one of these in our BYOD training sessions, they fall in love with how easy it is to produce these simple one-take videos. It's one of my favorites because it mixes a little "low-tech" creativity with a "high-tech" mobile device. When students are done they can upload their videos to Edmodo. I havent't found a video file yet that Edmodo doesn't like. It's easy to upload their completed videos right within the group for you and your students to view.
If you don't know what a paper-slide video is check out this video: