![\"using](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/edmodo_zayda.jpg\")
<\/a>(Editor’s Note: we asked 5th grade educator Hannah Lindsey to share her experience using the LMS edmodo for a literacy block with students on netbooks. Her blog post is excerpted from a longer reflection<\/a> prepared for the 2014 AMLE annual conference<\/a>.)<\/em><\/p>\nDoes the use of a learning management system impact student engagement and learning outcomes?<\/p>\n
Was\u00a0there a change in learning outcomes and products? Was there a change in student engagement and interest in material, discussions, and each other?<\/p>\n
Let’s take a look.<\/p>\n
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Getting started<\/h2>\n
In terms of overall engagement, using edmodo had my students waiting with bated breath for weeks. Every day they wanted to know if we were going to get started. Compared to excitement around regular literature circles, this was a huge improvement.<\/p>\n
![\"using](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/edmodo_jack.jpg\")
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While I could see an immediate increase in engagement using Edmodo, use of Edmodo does not magically illicit more in-depth responses from students. To work towards higher standards, we had short blocks of instruction time to compare different comments. Students worked as a class to identify how to leave a constructive piece of feedback for a peer.<\/p>\n
Students started asking their own questions to each other, sparking discussion and actually following up on their own questions.<\/p>\n
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Based on student conversations, I created a book recommendation group that everyone belonged to called \u201cAwesome Books to Read.\u201d Here, students could check in for a recommendation, or leave a recommendation for the class. Students could ask questions about the book, compare or contrast opinions, and generally share in the excitement of reading.<\/p>\n
<\/h2>\nThings\u00a0we liked:<\/h2>\nPolls for self-assessment<\/h3>\n
Polls for self-assessment<\/h3>\n
Edmodo allows teachers to create polls for students to self-assess or provide other helpful feedback. I asked students how edmodo was going, whether they liked our most recent book, and other information. The polls are anonymous, which I think helped provide more honest feedback.<\/p>\n
Students wanted to improve on their work, and on their behavior with substitutes, for example. I was able to ask them how it was going in class when I was at a conference, and not even in the building.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Students can make predictions using the polling tool, or come up with their own questions to ask the group.<\/p>\n We used student examples to build our discussion skills, and then eventually students can earn badges to show their hard work and practice of these skills.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Students could still collaborate with each other in groups using edmodo. They could either post a link to their presentation, movie, or type up a response as a group.<\/p>\n I created these smaller groups for Alice \u2018s Adventures in Wonderland <\/i>and Down the Rabbit Hole<\/i> for lit. circles. They can each have lit. circle roles and share in a digital discussion (including artwork,) or they can work together in groups with an elected recorder who posts to the main group, read the other group\u2019s posts, re-evaluate their group response and then post again.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n We also connected with other students around the state in a literature discussion with the book Wonder <\/i>by R.J. Palacio. Our 5th grade literacy class collaborated with the 7th grade literacy class at PAML. The 7th graders were also reading the book, and created the discussion questions for the Edmodo class. Our 5th graders connected with other 5th graders from East Montpelier Elementary.\u00a0The students introduced themselves by creating I Am poems and pic collages, which they shared on edmodo.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We used the polling feature to collaborate on a group name for the 5th graders. First we voted in each class for our top choices, and then posted both class choices in a poll.\u00a0We also got to have a google hangout with the students from East Montpelier, which my class loved. They got to see the other class, (live!) projected on the Smart Board, and have a conversation with them.<\/p>\n Edmodo also allows you to add resources as class discussions take you in new directions. The resources are all in one place, easy for students to find and share, such as clips from an old Alice in Wonderland film, or websites students might find useful.<\/p>\n We discussed surrealist art, looked at examples, and students attached the art examples they connected to in their responses. Students used our classroom library to put together spine poems, using book titles.<\/p>\n Students also took pictures of their own \u201cwonders\u201d in their family when we finished The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs.\u00a0<\/i>This was a great opportunity for students to learn more about their classmates. This class was all digital discussion: the whole class was quietly typing, sharing their wonders and commenting and asking questions of their peers. I was also able to comment or ask a question on every student\u2019s \u201cwonder\u201d during the class period. This was a great way to \u201cshow and tell\u201d without the nerves of presenting. Everyone can share at their own pace — and everyone was engaged.<\/p>\n![\"using](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/edmodo_poll.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nEarning badges<\/h3>\n
![\"using](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/edmodo_badges2-300x168.jpg\")
<\/a>Edmodo offers badges such as \u201cdiscussion starter,\u201d \u201ccomment master,\u201d and \u201cgood question\u201d to reward students. The first time I awarded badges there was a buzz in the classroom and rounds of congratulations being offered. Edmodo announces to the whole class if someone has won a badge, and then that badge stays on the student\u2019s profile.<\/p>\nHow group work was organized<\/h3>\n
Collaborating with other schools on the platform<\/h3>\n
![\"using](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/edmodo_introduction.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSharing resources<\/h3>\n
![\"using](\"https:\/\/tiie.w3.uvm.edu\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/12\/edmodo_wonder.jpg\")
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