What Tools Should I Try to Implement First?
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Some of the best advice that I received when I began my 1:1 tablet pilot program last year was to try a few programs that might serve multiple purposes. Get comfortable with those programs and all of the functions that they offer before branching out to new ones.
If I had to select one program to start with I would recommend Edmodo. What I love about this program is that it has different features. You can assign paperless assessments which collect data, post it to your Edmodo gradebook and then share the results with them. It can be used as a place for students to access documents and assignments. Teachers can poll the class and then share the results for all to see. It could also be used as a social platform where students and/or teachers can talk. |
Coming in second....kidblog. This is a good tool to start the year off with because it is approved by our school district, safe, and easy to get off the ground. I used it in the beginning of the year to feel the kids out and see where they were experiencing anxiety, to ask questions that might benefit the group as a whole and to reflect on their new middle school experience. Later in the year it was used as a way to reflect on the week and as an assessment tool to check for understanding.
This year I plan to post common core open response prompts here and allow students to respond. Students will be able to assess each others writing to determine if it should receive a score of 0, 1, or 2. Understanding the scoring of the open response and seeing quality written responses will empower students to improve. |