Portia Worthy
As a student in a graduate technology course, I must complete a Key Assessment. It is like putting objectives into action. The Key Assessment forced me to use technology and report my findings. I selected option one for my Key Assessment. It was the best choice for me because I like to bring new things in to the classroom. Also, I have completed a school improvement plan in the past. In my opinion, there was more value in the technology assignment because it is something that my students can use.
I decided to introduce Edmodo. Edmodo.com is a secure website for students and teachers. Teachers post assignments and the students post their completed assignments. The nice thing about the site is that it has a grade book. Teachers can input the possible points and then enter grades for assignments. Teachers and students also hold discussions. They learned how to use the site for the first time. The first order of business was to schedule computer time in one of the computer labs. It was touch and go for a while. Teachers schedule time in the computer lab at the beginning of the school year. Most dates are taken by the second week of the school year. The Computer Lab coordinator was helpful. She notified me of cancellations. Therefore, I got my students into the Lab for two days.
I scheduled my Honors American Government class for two days in the Lab. A seating chart was drafted before the Lab dates. The reason for this was to minimize the chatting.
Next, I conducted a mini lesson on civic duty in the community and the internet. As a bell ringer, the students listed the characteristics of a good citizen. A volunteer wrote the characteristics on the board. We discussed the characteristics. I focused the students’ attention on desirable characteristics. Then, the students completed a worksheet on citizen action in the community. Please see the worksheet below.
We discussed the answers after the students completed the worksheet. Finally, the students were instructed to list characteristics of a good citizen in the internet community. I explained that individuals do not operate in a vacuum while on the internet. We discussed their responses.
The last phase of the lesson required the students to complete a Venn diagram comparing citizens in the community and the internet. We discussed their answers. At the end of the lesson I asked them if expectations for behavior in the community are the same for citizens on the internet. We discussed internet crime, abusive behavior, rude behavior, bullying, crime etc. I reinforced my expectations for behavior in the Computer Lab. The students were told there would be a seating chart.
There are state and national standards that were fulfilled for this assignment. They are listed below.
National Standards
1. Facilitate and Inspire Student Learning and Creativity
Teachers use their knowledge of subject matter, teaching and learning, and technology to facilitate experiences that advance student
learning, creativity, and innovation in both face-to-face and virtual environments. Teachers:
a. promote, support, and model creative and innovative thinking and inventiveness
b. engage students in exploring real-world issues and solving authentic problems using digital tools and resources
c. promote student reflection using collaborative tools to reveal and clarify students’ conceptual understanding and thinking, planning,
and creative processes
d. model collaborative knowledge construction by engaging in learning with students, colleagues, and others in face-to-face and virtual
environments
4. Promote and Model Digital Citizenship and Responsibility
Teachers understand local and global societal issues and responsibilities in an evolving digital culture and exhibit legal and ethical
behavior in their professional practices. Teachers:
a. advocate, model, and teach safe, legal, and ethical use of digital information and technology, including respect for copyright,
intellectual property, and the appropriate documentation of sources
b. address the diverse needs of all learners by using learner-centered strategies and providing equitable access to appropriate digital tools
and resources
c. promote and model digital etiquette and responsible social interactions related to the use of technology and information
d. develop and model cultural understanding and global awareness by engaging with colleagues and students of other cultures using
digital-age communication and collaboration tools.
State Standards
14.C.4 Describe the meaning of participatory citizenship (e.g., volunteerism, voting) at all levels of government and society in the United States.
The students had to register on Edmodo before completing assignments. I created the class and was given an access code for the students to register. My students completed two assignments in the Computer Lab.
Assignment #1
1. Write two paragraphs on the article #2 that you submitted. In the first paragraph, you will post a brief summary of the current events article that you submitted. The second paragraph should provide your opinion of the article.
2. Read and respond to the postings of the two students that you were assigned.
How did I assign student responses? Someone is usually absent. I made the assignments as students arrived in the Lab.
Assignment #2
Students were required to read and interpret a quote which was located in an online textbook (Thisnation.com). They also read a brief article on political parties and answered the corresponding questions.
This Nation Assignment
1. Post your interpretation of the quote below. Do not read the responses of others. Just post your response.
.
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
James Madison
2. Read about Political Parties on http://www.thisnation.com
Wrtie your answers to the questions below on a separate sheet of paper.
What do Political Parties do?
What is the most important work of political parties?
Where do party members sit?
Do third party candidates get elected? If yes, why? If no, Why?
3. Answer the "Think about It' questions.
•Why are there only two political parties in America?
•Are political parties good or bad for American politics?
4. Review the' Vote for Congress by Party Identification 2004' chart. Answer the following questions:
1.What party did people identify with most in 2004?
2. What party did they identify with least?
5. Post your response to the following questions. What is the goal of political parties? Are political parties effective in terms of communicating their platforms? How do you know they are effective? Provide examples. If you think they are not effective, explain.
6. Select a political party. Work with a partner to create a campaign slogan. Post the slogan. Be sure to write in your post the name of your partner.
.
"If men were angels, no government would be necessary."
James Madison
2. Read about Political Parties on http://www.thisnation.com
Wrtie your answers to the questions below on a separate sheet of paper.
What do Political Parties do?
What is the most important work of political parties?
Where do party members sit?
Do third party candidates get elected? If yes, why? If no, Why?
3. Answer the "Think about It' questions.
•Why are there only two political parties in America?
•Are political parties good or bad for American politics?
4. Review the' Vote for Congress by Party Identification 2004' chart. Answer the following questions:
1.What party did people identify with most in 2004?
2. What party did they identify with least?
5. Post your response to the following questions. What is the goal of political parties? Are political parties effective in terms of communicating their platforms? How do you know they are effective? Provide examples. If you think they are not effective, explain.
6. Select a political party. Work with a partner to create a campaign slogan. Post the slogan. Be sure to write in your post the name of your partner.
Findings
In general, working with Edmodo was a good experience. One student said, “Ms. Worthy, this is a lot like Facebook.” The students enjoyed the online collaboration. They were actually excited. A little over half of the class completed all of the assignments. There are several positive things about Edmodo. The most positive thing about Edmodo is that it gets students engaged. It grabs their attention. Also, they like the fact that no paper is involved. Everything is online. Third, Edmodo is also user friendly. One can learn to navigate the program within an hour or less. Finally, it has a grade book. It is convenient to read assignments and post the grades. Plus, teachers can post resources such as websites, and assignments in the Library section of Edmodo.
It was a shock to discover that Edmodo is not blocked by the District. They block Glogster. I asked them to unblock it because it is a good learning tool. They put in a work order to unblock it! I plan to post several assignments on Edmodo over the summer. It will be incorporated into lessons and homework.
There were some minor problems that I encountered was the fact that students arrived to the Lab at different times. They met me in the Lab. Therefore, some students had to wait for others to finish before they could post. My assumption that meeting the students in the Lab would save time was incorrect. I passed several of them in the hall on my way to the Lab. I told them to be on time for class in the Lab. Of course, quite a few of them were late. Next time, I will meet the students in class, take attendance and then take them to the Lab. Several of the students worked slowly. Checking out a class set of laptops is an option. But, it is not an attractive option. There is a big problem with teaches regarding the laptops. They use the laptops and fail to connect the chargers when they are finished. Often, there is a laptop or two missing when they are returned. Sometimes, a teacher will take a few to keep in the classroom. As a result, I prefer to take my students to one of the labs.
Another minor problem was that many of the students sent messages to each other when they should have been working. One student refused to stop sending messages. The Lab coordinator finally shut down his computer. I was a little disappointed that parents do not have a pass code to access student accounts on Edmodo. Overall, it was a good experience for me and the students. I look forward to using Edmodo in the future.
