Technology Explorations 1-4

Technology Explorations 1-4

Class Dojo

Class Dojo is a resource to be used in the classroom that helps the students to understand their behavior issues and helps them to stay focused and on task without the need for the teacher to redirect. Class dojo is a subtle tool at keeping the class in order without interrupting the normal flow of the classroom. Classes can be adjusted to include the names of each student and positive and negative feedback can be given to the student in a timely manner. In addition, Class Dojo can be used by the parents of the students taught. For parents involved in their child's education, it can be beneficial to the students and the learning process to use class dojo as a communication tool in describing the events of the day.

In my classroom, I could use this to provide the immediate feedback to particular students. This program can be used with any smart phone and/or tablet/ipad and has an ease to its use within the education setting. Many students, regardless of their age like to see where they are doing good and where they can improve.

I would recommend this to any teacher. I like the program to be used in the classroom because of its ease of use and its free product. Because there is a little noise each time a change is made to the class, the students may work harder to do the positive things instead of negative.  I do have some issues with this program. My number one issue with using this in the classroom is the time it takes to monitor behavior. I found, when using this in the classroom, that when it was most needed, it was unfortunately hard to keep up.

Schoology

Schoology is a free online learning center that is similar to blackboard or  other programs that allow a teacher to provide resources to the students for personal use. Schoology allows the students a mobile type of learning environment that allows learning to occur outside the classroom should the need arise. This program has different platforms depending upon the level of education necessary for the students. There is a k-12 addition as well as a higher ed division. This can also be used for businesses wishing to share information across businesses.

This can be used similar to other programs that allow assignments to be provided as well as information to students. This program, because it is like blackboard, allows the teacher to provide lessons to the student and then grades the items and places them in a gradebook. There is also a calendar to use in keeping up with assignments and requirements for the class. You could use this in a classroom for assignments the students need to complete at home. This way there will be no excuse for lost papers or books.

I do like this program. When you provide the code to the students, they apply their code and log-in to your class for further instruction. The program is free for instructors and allows the teacher to upload the necessary files for completion of an assignment. Plus, it grades and inputs the grades in the gradebook for you!

 

Rubistar

Rubistar helps the teacher to create rubrics to be used in the classroom. Because rubrics are necessary for the students to understand what is required of them, Rubistar can help take the hassle out of grading assignments that students were unsure of. There are areas in Rubistar that allow the teacher to use other rubrics already created.

 

Using rubrics is one of the most necessary tools in an education setting. It is important to understand that all students deserve to know the expectations of an assignment prior to using it. Although many rubrics have been created, this program allows the teacher to create new ones based on new criteria within seconds. I already use this in my classroom and suggest its use to anyone.

 

I like this program because it is easy and quick to use. There is no need to save a rubric unless you wish to do so. You can go back in a adjust a previous rubric or use their formulated rubrics for your own personal use. Anything easy is worth trying out. The amount of time spent planning is more time a teacher has with family or teaching content. Try Rubistar and use someone else's ideas rather than spending hours coming up with your own. As is always said, "Work smarter, not harder!"

 

Planbook

Planbook is exactly as it sounds. It is a program that helps to create monthly plans for the teacher. This program allows a teacher to access their gradebook from anywhere. It has weekly, and many rotations to be used by high school teachers. The program uses a system like Microsoft Word and all browsers is supported. There are also apps a user can install from their cell phone. This program is similar to many used by school districts. You can add standards so you can match standards to lessons.

 

Using this in the classroom can be beneficial when creating lessons. Although many schools are already providing a certain template to be used, for those not provided with this type of template, this may help. Although they don't have state standards loaded, they can be loaded so a teacher can see what standards they have used and which they have not.

 

I would not use this program to guide my instruction. Although it is easily accessed, it is not as good as I would like it to be. The annual charge of 25 dollars allows you many different options but nothing is as good as the program I currently use called curriculum engine. This program is one of the best I have ever used. If Planbook had the same options of drag and drop for standards and the option of converting files to word documents without the fee, I may consider using it.