Technology Reflection: Instructional Use of Edmodo

Technology Reflection Assignment

Description/Experience

                During our last seminar, we were introduced to the website and communication program called Edmodo. This website provides the opportunity for students and teachers to connect online wherever they are. I learned that Edmodo can be useful tool for all teachers and students to use. However, it is more age appropriate for middle school or high school students. The students are able to work together and communicate about class assignments and activities. Edmodo allows a teacher to upload assignment, and the assignments can just be posted straight up to the teachers “page.” In addition, the teacher can categorize his or her students by classes for organization. Edmodo is a new, fun way to incorporate technology into our 21^st century classrooms today!

Application

            In my classroom at University High School, the students are working on solving inequalities. After creating a teacher Edmodo account, I could upload a video or website link for all of my students to see. First, I would introduce the main objectives of the video, and then I would show them the three to five minute video. After watching the video, I will explain more in depth the process of solving inequalities. Then, I will assess my students by asking questions and assigning group work. At the end of the class, we will come together again and I will assign individual homework posted on the Edmodo website. Because it will be online, it is available to them almost anywhere! The homework assignment will include a simple worksheet and a website link to help them work through the problems. Since it is on Edmodo, the students can converse if they are confused about the assignment or have an issue working out one of the problems. This will be more convenient for them in cases where the teacher may not be available to answer the question when other students are already on the site. Everything done in class, such as notes, in-class assignments, and activities, can be uploaded to Edmodo for the expediency and reference for the students. Their grades will be posted as frequent as possible, so that they know always know what their grades are. The homework assignment will be posted straight onto the Edmodo website. So, there is no need to bring in papers and such to turn in. Edmodo is an enjoyable, environment friendly way for students to complete assignments, calculate their grades, and be interactive with other students in their class.

                Through this activity, the students can learn more about technology and math at the same time. The student will learn about solving inequalities by watching a simple video and collaborating with other students to create ideas to help them solve the inequalities. The students will gain a better understanding of the Edmodo website and the math content presented. They will learn how to post their assignments, discuss the assignments with the teacher and classmates, and locate specific things on the Edmodo site. By using Edmodo, the students may be more entertained and intrigued to complete their assignments. This activity is designed for students between seventh and twelfth grades. Students below this age group may not be familiar enough with technology or the content being presented.

            I will use several methods to make sure my students are acquiring the learning outcomes. First, I would post questions for discussion on Edmodo. I will check over their profile pages to make sure they are interacting and becoming familiar with the Edmodo site itself. To know if my activity was successful, I will grade the assignments given to them on Edmodo. In addition, I will look over the in-class assignments and activities given in class. To see if they are grasping an understanding of Edmodo and the inequalities, I will check to see if there are multiple questions on the Edmodo site concerning the both of them.

Timeline

-Provide an introduction to the Edmodo website

-Introduce the topic: Solving Inequalities

-Watch the video on the process and tips of solving inequalities

-Go over the process solving inequalities more in depth

-Assign group work for the students/ Worksheet of inequalities and number lines

-Groups will present their process of solving and the solutions on the board (Have one group go up at a time to do complete one problem.)

-Make sure complete assignment is uploaded with the video and other website links for additional help

-Assign individual homework on Edmodo

-Get on Edmodo to see if there are discussions up and answer the students’ questions

-Provide guidance to the questions

Reflection

Pedagogy-Content:

            I would represent the content of solving inequalities by providing many examples and explanations. I would demonstrate how to solve and inequality and explain while I do so. I would illustrate how to create a number line and how to fill in the correct numbers under the line. I would give an example of a greater or less than inequality and also a greater than or equal to and less than or equal to inequality. In addition, I will explain to them when it is important to have an open circle over the number and when it is important to have the closed circle. Some conceptions might be previous content learned of solving equations. By knowing how to do these, it is an easier learning process of solving inequalities. The students have to be further advanced in math to understand this material. It is important for the students to erase the pre-conceptions of the equal sign to integrate these new symbols, like greater than or equal to.

Technology:

            There are many prominent functions of Edmodo. Assignments can be uploaded and submitted on it. In addition, class discussions are possible. Links and videos can be uploaded for the teacher and students to make reference. Edmodo allows the teacher to have a grade book online. This site is very dedicated to making teachers and students very connected. This allows them both to be active and involved in the students’ learning. Edmodo is like a social network that is safe for the students to use. The teacher has full access to the students’ accounts. So if a student puts inappropriate information on the site, the teacher can block his or her account. In the world today, technology is ongoing and always changing. Therefore, it is important as a teacher to integrate technology into the classroom. Edmodo helps us do this.

Technology-Pedagogy:

            I would use Edmodo in my activities by bringing it up on a projector, and show videos and websites. I would also include discussion posts to help guide my students through their assignments. Instead of showing the students how to solve inequalities by writing on a chalkboard, I will bring up a video on Edmodo to help give them a different perspective on how to solve them. Then from that, I will assign group work to help them gain individual knowledge on the material. The students will be able to reference the videos and material from class on Edmodo anytime they may need. I will have to explain to the students that I have full access to their accounts. Therefore, I can see everything that they put up. From this, they should understand that they are mature enough to know what is appropriate for Edmodo and what is not. I will have to be more thorough about the deadlines for the online assignment. It will be important that I remind them often when assignments are due. Even though Edmodo is a social network, I will remind my students that this does not change my professional level with them.

Technology-Content:

            By using videos and referencing scholarly websites, Edmodo will allow me to show mathematical concepts using various demonstrations, explanations, and such. Instead of just providing examples from my perspective, they can see the differences in others examples with solving equations. This may better represent the mathematical content, so the students can learn more efficiently. I would upload interactive activities and videos on Edmodo, so my students can have more visual and kinesthetic practice to understand inequalities. For example, I could upload an interactive number line, so the students can interchange numbers and make open or closed circles to represent specific solutions to the inequalities. Edmodo can be very effective in helping students learn.

Technology-Pedagogy-Content:

Solving inequalities and math alone can be effectively taught by using appropriate instructional methods and Edmodo. The content can be introduced using a video uploaded on Edmodo. Then, cooperative learning can be demonstrated in the classroom based on the information presented in the Edmodo video and extra information given from the teacher. Then after class, discussion on Edmodo may take place to help with further questions or homework. Through Edmodo, the teacher can analyze the students’ discussions and work to see if they are fully grasping the material. Edmodo can enhance the process of solving equations by providing several thorough examples. From the video on inequalities, the teacher can reference it to help form another activity associated with the content such as group work, individual work, or whole-class work. I would keep updating material from class, extra website links and videos, and grades to help the students stay on task. By staying organized and offering help and discussion, the students may be more motivated to work and learn better in class. Edmodo will be an exciting way to integrate technology and content in the classroom. Therefore, Edmodo may be the key to helping students learn imaginatively and efficiently.