T1+Edmodo+vs+Facebook

=**Tool 1: Edmodo and Facebook** =

Micaela and Colleen
=FACEBOOK =

While he was a psychology student at Harvard University, Mark Zuckerberg created several social networking websites (Phillips, 2007). The first was Coursematch which was a website designed forstudents at Harvard to find which courses friends were taking, with the intention of enrolling in the same classes. The second site was Facemash which was designed to rate the attractiveness of classmates.

In 2004, Zuckerberg designed "The Facebook". This was an internal website for Harvard students to post profiles of themselves, professors and staff at the university. It soon became extremely popular and over half of the undergraduate student population had posted profiles within the first year. The Facebook spread to otheracademic institutions, then to high schools. By 2006, the website was being used by universities and high schools in both the United States and the United Kingdom. That same year, the domain name, facebook.com, was bought for $200,000 and was made available to anyone with an email address. Today, Facebook defines the way many people communicate. Facebook (2011) currently asserts that it has more than 800 million users with 50% of those users logging on to the site every day. Social Networking has become a part of our everyday lives. The following video by Common Craft (2008) outlines the basic concept of Social Networking.

Using Facebook as a Communication Tool in an Educational Setting
Even though the conception of Facebook was in an academic setting, the site has never been intended to be used for academic purposes. Nonetheless, educators have recognized the incredible potential for using Facebook as an educational tool. ICT Works (n.d.) identified four reasons why Facebook makes an ideal educational tool. First, they maintain that Facebook encourages language development through use of authentic communication and expression. Secondly, they point out the social benefits of using Facebook and their link to the development of interpersonal communication skills. The third point they make is that Facebook can be used to foster group collaboration. Finally, they assert that students gain Information and Communication Technology (ICT) skills in a fun and engaging way. That being said, teachers face numerous problems related to the use of Facebook for educational purposes. Many school districts and organizations ban or block the use of social media sites making it impossible for teachers to adequately teach using Facebook as a tool. This is mainly due to the misconception that social networking is a distraction rather than a useful educational tool (Edublogger, 2011). Others worry about Freedom of information and protection of privacy issues that may arise from students sharing personal information online in an uncontrolled environment. below is a chart outlining some of the positives and negatives of using Facebook for educational puroses.

**﻿**
Despite possible problems related to using Facebook as an educational tool, the educational application of Facebook as a communication tool in classrooms has gained impetus. Fog Phillips, Baird and Fogg (n.d.) have developed a resource that outlines the many ways Facebook can be used in the class. They also offer advice on how to mitigate possible problems with privacy. This resource is a postive step in the direction of teaching students how to behave responsibly online. It guides teachers through ways to combat cyberbullying,promote digital responsiblity, create safe groups for students, and keep up-to-date about privacy settings.

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====Others have also created materials and resources to guide teachers, parents and students in their use of social media tools. Cybersmart (Common Sense Media, 2011), Digizen (Childnet International, 2011) and Privacy by Design (Cavoukian, 2010) are just a few that delve into issues of privacy,responsible digital citizenship and internet safety. To explore these resources, please click on the graphics below.====

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Digital citizenship is when students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and practice legal and ethical behavior. Students develop the ability to advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and technology (Bailey & Ribble, 2007, p.10). They exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity. Students demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning and exhibit leadership for digital citizenship. It is our role as educators to take time to prepare students to live in today’s world – one without any physical boundaries. Digital citizenship is global and individuals working with technology must have common guidelines. Above are links to free curriculum guidelines that teachers can use to teach digital citizenship. When students are properly educated in the dangers they could encounter online, along with the privacy and security stipulations, students become knowledgeable digital citizens.

= **EDMODO:** **A Safe Alternative to Facebook** =

History
====Edmodo was created because students and teachers were interested in using Facebook as a teaching tool (Geron, 2011). However, Facebook was showing no signs that a separate, secure social networking environment was in its future. Technologists Nicolas Borg and Jeff O'Hara were working in the IT department for separate Chicago-area schools (Rivero, 2011). Frequently, both IT personnel would receive requests from administrators to block social networking sites and tools on the school computers. The two IT specialists teamed up to address the demands for a secure social network for classroom use. Edmodo started out as a blogging service similar to Twitter (Rivero, 2011). Over time, it has evolved into a full-fledged free educational social network.====

What is Edmodo?
Edmodo is a unique free social networking site that is completely safe for educational settings. Essentially, the feature that makes Edmodo safe and secure is that it doesn't require private information from students. media type="youtube" key="nHtwgZEHzNs" height="315" width="420"

How to sign up
An educator creates a group on the network that has a unique code (Geron, 2011). Each student is then given this unique code. Using this code, the students create their own user name and password. Teachers can then post assignments, questions, discussions, and grade assignments. Teachers can also connect with other teachers using the network. The best part is that students can exchange information directly with the teacher or with the group, but they cannot privately talk using with each other Edmodo.

Edmodo and Digital Citizenship
Edmodo acts a tool for students to practice digital citizenship each day at school. It allows for students to explore and make mistakes under the direct supervision of their teacher.

How to Use Edmodo
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Some Interactive Tools for Students and Teachers (Geron, 2011)

 * Wall Posts:** Like Facebook, students can post status updates or questions on the class wall. Teachers are able to delete and monitor these updates.


 * Assignments:** Educators can post assignments on the class Edmodo page. Students then submit their finished assignments digitally to the teacher through Edmodo. Teachers assess and grade the assignments using the Edmodo grade book.


 * Polls:** Teachers can poll for information. This is an easy way to survey the class or it can be used as a class discussion piece. The polls display the results in the form of a bar graph.


 * Alerts:** Students can register for updates using their cell phone number. When the teacher posts an Alert, students will receive that Alert in the form of a text message.

Badges – Teachers can use badges to motivate students and provide recognition for their achievements. Teachers can create their own badges or use Edmodo badges.
 * Mobile app for iPhone and Android devices** – enables you to connect with others in Edmodo simply by “bumping” phones. Students can join groups directly from the app, and have access to all features of Edmodo.

question bank. Educators can grade their assessments in Edmodo, too.
 * Quizzes** – Teachers can create and assign quizzes using their own questions or those from a


 * Student Profiles** – Teachers are able to view a student’s groups, teachers and any recent activity. Students can also share more about themselves like their learning style or career ambitions.
 * Library** – Edmodo has created a library that enables users to share multiple items with a group, and view details of library items.


 * Gradebook** – Users are able to view overall grade averages by student, they can add a grade that’s not related to a specific assignment. Users can also view average scores on an assignment.

More About Edmodo
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Situated Learning, conditions of leanring, Connectionism, Double-loop learning, experiential learning, functional context, mutiple mtelligences, social learning theory

Collaboration through all group members, instant notifications, high participation, ability to post documents, pictures, and videos, ability to create profiles that may include interests and learning styles, professionals may establish worldwide collaborations, students are learning in a safe, secure, environment. Group dynamics, some students may not feel comfortable making posts, lack of computer access at home, technological issues or failure
 * __ Advantages: __**
 * __ Disadvantages: __**

Dependent on the teacher and application of the tool in the classroom.
 * __ Effectiveness: __**

**References**
= = Bailey, G. and Ribble, M. (2007). //Digital Citizenship in Schools//. Washington, DC: International Society for Technology in Education //(ISTE//).

Cavoukian, A. (2010). //What students need to know about freedom of information and protection of privacy: A resource guide for grade 10 teachers//. Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, Canada. Retrieved from http://www.ipc.on.ca/images/Resources/Grade_10_web- e.pdf

Childnet International. (2011). []

Common Craft, LLC. (2008). //Social networking in plain English//. Retrieved from []

Common Sense Media. (2011). []

Edublogger. (2011). //The why and how of using Facebook for educators – No need to be friends at all!// Retrieved from []

Facebook (2011). //Facebook Statistics//. Retrieved from []

Fogg Phillips, L. Baird, D. and Fogg, B. J.﻿ (n.d.). //Facebook for educators.// Retrieved from []

Geron, T. (2011). //Edmodo Wants to Make Social Networking A Learning Experience//. Forbes.com, 12. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

ICT Works. (n.d.). //4 reasons why Facebook is an educational tool for schools.// Retrieved from []

Phillips, S. (2007). A brief history of Facebook. //The Guardian//. Retrieved from []

Primary Sources. (2010). //America's Teachers on America's Schools//. Retrieved September 26, 2011 from, []

Rivero, V. (2011). We're Talking Social Media in Education. Internet @ Schools, 18(3), 12-15. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Waters, J.K. (2011). Keeping It Clean. T H E Journal, 38 (1), 52. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.