E-Portfolio #2 - Edmodo

Today’s society is fast-paced and is very involved with social networks. Whether the class is conducted face-to-face or via distance communications, I believe that social networking might enhance student involvement, therefore increase student learning and comprehension of the class. In 2006, a study showed 55% of children between the ages of 12 and 17 using a social network (Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek, 2012). Think of how social networking has expanded in the last 6 years and imagine the percentage now.

            As with any online communication, there is always the concern for protecting students and their privacy.  Edmodo allows for teachers to enhance the privacy protection for their students. It also allows for instant communication from multiple parties and allows the teacher to create somewhat private online classrooms. For example, a teacher can create classrooms for each class and send messages to an individual class or multiple classes. Calendars are also available along with notes, alerts, assignments, quizzes, and polls. A teacher can also upload documents and provide links in the library within the Edmodo network.

            Students can be awarded badges for things they do such as being a good citizen, asking good questions, working hard, perfect attendance, and more. Teachers can create their own unique badges for students.  I have created one titled Good Point. The description is “Sometimes in discussion, we rise to the top and mention a good point to the topic of discussion.”

            A teacher creates a profile and just like social networking, can upload profile pictures and write about themselves. They too can earn badges when they use different parts of Edmodo such as the library, connections, and others. They can state content areas, the current school in which they teach, and schools in which they have taught in the past. The site displays a Google map of the past teaching locations. Teachers can also have their own URL. Favorites are managed through the library. Teachers can also connect with one another and share ideas.

            Edmodo is engaging and has the ability to keep students from the worldwide social network but still be able to network with their peers. I have created this for my 8^th grade classes and am very eager to utilize it for all it provides. I am looking forward to enhancing my Edmodo account.

Please visit my Edmodo profile at: http://edmodo.com/etelles

E-Portfolio #1 - Voki

In my school, student achievement is somewhat evaluated based on a students interest level and engagement in the class. For this reason, I chose Voki to focus on for this assignment. I feel Voki will assist teachers increase the interest level as well as enhance student achievement by the encouragement of technology. As an introduction to technology and interesting site, students will be able to utilize it effectively.

In the Voki website, www.voki.com, users can create speaking avatars.  The creator picks from numerous characters, colors, backgrounds, voices, etc. Multiple avatars can be created on the same account. This will keep the students wondering what will come next. Avatars can be edited as well. For example, one avatar can be used for every unit. The teacher may want to change the script of the avatar but leave everything else the same (i.e. the avatar looks).

Voki avatars will help to motivate students to participate. I visualize a class of engaged students (distance or face-to-face) utilizing this educational tool. Instead of the teacher talking everyday and repeating himself/herself, Voki can be used and re-played as many times as the individual student needs. This helps with differentiating instruction according to each student’s ability level. It is an interesting and different tool to use. This will better help students understand what they are learning.

Voki can also be especially helpful to English language learners. This will eliminate the need for students to feel lost or left out due to their language barrier.

Voki is a free tool. However, an enhanced version of Voki can be purchased for teachers to organize each class and register students. The Voki Classroom allows teachers to setup multiple classes, multiple lessons, and multiple students. They also have access to the Teachers Corner for extra help and support. With Voki Classroom, students don’t have to register. Privacy is always an issue, especially in education. Voki Classroom lessons can be set to private. If you don’t have Voki Classroom, there are no privacy settings to keep your information safe.