Let's talk bout ClassDojo!

ClassDojo: The Classroom Management App!  

     As teachers, sometimes we find somewhat difficult to motivate students to engage in good behaviors and make good decisions in our classroom.  Some of us, give "behavior grades" but how is an A, B, C... motivating our students to participate and make good decisions?  ClassDojo is great for teachers, students and parents. Teachers can manage the behavior skills they want to reinforce.  There are 2 sections:  the positive skills and the needs to work skills.  You can adjust these skills to your likening.  On the other hand, you can invite parents to join your class and they can see how their children are behaving. You can post activity pictures, their work and even send messages to parents. ClassDojo is also adding another feature where you can add your student's work to a portfolio.  

     This app is free for all.  Once you assign points to students, both parents and students can see the children's behavioral growth... In fact, it gives immediate feedback to students if you choose to use the mobile app with the sounds (it makes one particular sound for positive and a different sound for the needs to work).  Notice that the app doesn't use "negative skills" but it uses "needs to work" instead.  I believe this is very important since it gives the child an opportunity to make a better decision later on.  The app gives hope to the students to get a better grade and it shows them that after all, a day has 24 hours, and the next day is a brand new day to make a great decision. 

      Another great feature is that you can also add other teachers from your community/school and create a network where you share your status, pictures and feedback in general. 

Want to know more?  Ok, This is how ClassDojo works: 

1. Open a free account at www.classdojo.com or download the app on google play or itunes. 

2. Once you set up your account, Create/Add a new class.   Your class can be any grade level from pre-k to 12th grade and it even gives you the other option. 

3.  Then you have to add your students.  You can write their first name or their complete name.  When you add your student, the app gives you a cute icon that looks like a little monster.  You can also assign a different monster to your kids. I find this so cool and cute! You can also edit your list as many times as you want.  

4.  Once you create your class and you add your students, on the right side of your class screen, you can edit your students, the skills, the class name or you can even archive a class. 

** A new feature for ClassDojo is that you can also take the attendance and even mark them late.  This is great because parents can know when their children are late or if they skipped the class (for whatever reason because your know HS kids never skip classes LOL).  Another cool thing is that if you are editing from your computer, you can copy the skills from one group to the other and save time.  

     This is how my ClassDojo looks like:

 My students will have a +1pt for the folloring skills: 

1. Helped others -- If they helped another peer (copying or lending work to copy responses is not helping others - haha!)
2. Made a good decision (This is something that I reinforce a lot in my class.  It is also a BeGlad strategy) 
3. On task (They are doing what they are supposed to be doing)
4. Participating (They are participating -- even if I ask them to)
5. Persistence (The results might not be as good, but c'mon! they are trying)
6. Showing Respect (another important aspect of my class -- update* This will be +2 instead of +1)
7. Team Work (They are working efficiently in a team)
8. Using Technology in a Smart Way (Technology as a tool; using an app or using their phones as an aid and not to play or snapchatting) 
9. Working Hard (This is basically a mix of on task and persistence with a drop of team work and positivity).  **Update: This will be +2 instead of +1

My students will have a -1pt or -2pts on their needs to work sention on the following areas:

1. Disrespectful  (This is one of the classroom rules -- Respect should prevail at ALL times.)
2. Off task (They are fooling around or not doing what they have to do for no aparent reason)
3. Refused to participate (Sometimes they just refuse. They don't lose but they don't earn).
4. Talking out of turn/too loud (For this one, I always tell them twice)
5. Unprepared (No pencil, no notebook, perhaps no textbook or handouts)
6. Using their phone as a toy (facebook, snapchat, twitter, instagram, whatsapp.... you name it! They are just playing with their phones --- or even the Chromebooks).

Hope this review helped you to understand ClassDojo and that you will find great ways to use it.  You can also go on Pinterest to find new ideas or you can contact me and I can help you to brainstorm or give you a couple of mine.  

Have fun!

SeeSaw: The Learning Journal

  




  
     Seesaw is a free, multi-platform (You can use I-pad, phone, Chromebooks, website) application that allows students to express themselves in a closed forum.  It works as a journal and students can do a variety of things on it. It is very engaging because they can post or comment on any given topic and their classmates (and whomever the teacher allows) can give feedback. 

 "See saw empowers students of any age to independently document what they are learning at school"

 This is how it works: First, create a free account, then a class. You have two options: Students can  create accounts by entering a code or QR code (you will have to enter their names prior to their sign in) or you can have them sign in with their google accounts. If your school has google, this would be ideal option but using the code is better if they are sharing devices and if you already know your population.
 Once they create their account, you write a post and make it public for them. You can also select who do you want to see that particular post. 
     The beauty of Seesaw is that students can capture their learning in different ways: video, link, text, drawing, picture... Isn't that amazing!?
Another advantage of Seesaw is that, as a teacher, you have the power to accept or deny an entry.  Let's be honest! Kids are kids and sometimes they might want to post things that are out of topic or they want to be "funny".  With Seesaw, you can approve or disapprove a post. Not only that but you can also invite parents to be part of their children's learning process. 
      Seesaw goes along with the 21st Century Skills framework and that, by itself, is great.  Students learn and express themselves by using technology and by having fun. They showcase their way of thinking in creative ways to their parents and to their community.  With this app you can definitely reinforce values as well as language skills.  

This app happens to be my favorite so far!

Should you try Seesaw? DEFINITELY! Seesaw (in MY opinion) is fantastic for ALL levels, -- and I venture to say-- even for college level.  It is also suitable for ALL subjects... from Social Studies to ESL to Science.  Once you try this tool, you will LOVE IT ♥.

Click HERE to try Seesaw (Plus) for one month then you can continue with your free account which is simply marvelous.