Using “Edmodo” as an Educational Social Networking Site

Group Assignment

(Supervised by: Prof. Asfah Rahman, M.Ed., Ph.D.)

ICT in Language Teaching

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Social Networking Site’s Description:

Using “Edmodo” as an Educational Social Networking Site

Group 1

Class D

Rifyal Mukarram

15B01135

Juvrianto CJ

15B01130

English Department

Graduate Program

State University of Makassar

2016

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, the use of computer and technology has been widely used in the process of teaching and learning. Teacher and students has accustomed to use technology in the classroom such as, using computer in teaching and using internet connection in learning language. One of the technologies that can be used to facilitate students in learning language is the use of internet connection. In this case, the internet connection that may help students and teacher get engaged with teaching material is the use of social networking sites. The name of this social networking site is “Edmodo” and it can be accessed online at www.edmodo.com.

(Screenshot of Edmodo’s home site)

Edmodo is very useful in facilitating teaching – learning activities, because it can encourage social interaction, whereas student can interact directly with teacher through “wall” Edmodo, so that they are not afraid to express even to share their ideas, opinion without being blaming. Teacher as an educational practitioner should not judge students in true – false opinion, but she/he has to open direct discussion forum in Edmodo. Instead the fascinating layout itself, Edmodo has file storage for teacher and also student (see “library”), they do not need to be afraid if their document are seen by other students. All assignment and examination cannot be accessed by those students who are not register in Edmodo.

Edmodo is a kind of educational social network that can be connected through online service, platform, or site that focuses on facilitating the building of social relations among people to share interest, activities, background or real life connections. A social network service consists of a representation of each user social links, and a variety of additional services. Most social network services are web based and provide means for users to interact each other over the Internet, such as e-mail and instant messaging. Moreover, social network allows the users to share ideas, activities, events, and interests within their individual networks. (Wikipedia, 2012).

There are so many types of social networks for example: blog, website, twitter, facebook , blogspot and so forth. Through this content, these social media can connect people each other even though they are bordered by places even regions. Popular social network like “Facebook” has many users all over the world, and people can use it free of charge.  Some social networks have additional features, such as the ability to create groups that share common interests or affiliations whereas people can share their videos, and make discussion through social media.  

Cauley (2013) from “A Guide to Explain it all” (IT Babble.com) explain that Edmodo is an educational website that takes the ideas of a social network and refines them and makes it appropriate for a classroom. Using Edmodo, students and teacher can reach out to one another and connect by sharing ideas, problems, and helpful tips. A teacher can assign and grade work on Edmodo, students can get help from the entire class on Edmodo. Edmodo is very safe from spam and inappropriate content, because the teacher can see everything that is posted on Edmodo. And parents can join Edmodo in order to check what their children do and how their progress in study. 

Teachers can give the assignment and students submit them on time virtually. Teachers can record students’ scores, which is accessible for students and their parents at home, who also have the code for viewing their students’ progress. Not only assignment, Edmodo provides possibility for teachers to give quiz, polling, and post topic for discussion among the students.

Students can also present their assignment and posts their presentation through Edmodo sheet, because it has space for place student works. By using Edmodo, all grades and badges that the students get can be accessed by the teacher, students themselves, and parents.

HOW TO USE EDMODO

First, user type www.edmodo.com in a browser or search Edmodo in Google to sign up for free account. Second, click “sign up” and fill in the form provide for teacher and for students. The teacher and the students have to provide their password to be registered as users. In teacher account, users select “I am a Teacher” button to create free account. Then, fill out the registration form and select the “sign up” button to complete the sign up process. After that, checking personal e-mail for a confirmation is needed to view the next steps for setting up your Edmodo account. In students account, do the same process. Here, teacher give group code to students in order they can join her class. Parent can also access Edmodo by following the same step that the students go through. Group code for students is available from the teacher’s account while the parents’ account is provided on the right side of the students’ class account. 

1.      Type www.edmodo.com in a browser or search Edmodo in Google to sign up for a free account.

2.      Click “sign up now”, after that fill in the form provided for teacher and for students. The teacher and the students have to provide their password to be registered as users. The registration for teacher and student is slightly different.

a.       Teacher Account

For teachers, the first step to do after visiting  www.edmodo.com,  they  have to select the “I’m a Teacher” button to create free account. Then, fill out the registration form and select the “Sign Up” button to complete the signup process. After that, checking personal e-mail for a confirmation is needed to view the next steps for setting up your Edmodo account.

b.      Student Account 

A students need to click the part “I am a Student” in order to fill in the form for getting a new account.

Complete the registration form by choosing a username and password. Here, students have to fill in group code that was provided by the teacher in order to join her/his class. Teachers are suggested to inform the students to sign up for Edmodo account by using their real name, not the nicknames or alias. In addition, it is also recommended for the students to upload their pictures on their profile picture in order to ease teacher to notice the students.  Other students may register themselves by following the same steps. At this time, the students have to make sure to give certain code that is located upright side to the teacher. Therefore, the student can access their own accounts. They can also access the teachers’ account. This way enables the teacher – students and students – students to interact directly. The same way may be done

The most important function those teachers have to master as their class administrator, first, creating a class. Teachers as administrator can create a class by clicking on the “create” on the left and fill in the class details. Second, teacher can store the data by uploading them to “library”. Data stored on library can be set public, limited for certain class or for teacher only. Third the function is available for both teacher and students. There are post, folder, members, and small members. Teachers can also give students assignment through their “backpack” or through “assignment”. 

BENEFITS OF USING EDMODO

By using Edmodo in the process of teaching and learning, both teachers and students will get some benefits such as:

• It is a brilliant way to stay connected with your class, and for them to stay connected with each other.
• It is very easy to give students feedback on their work – no matter what they upload; you can leave a comment attached to it.
• It is a fantastic way to teach social media – it’s amazing how many students claim to be fantastic at social media and yet have difficulty posting relevant topics and commenting in a constructive way. Edmodo is a safe space for them to learn.
• It allows you to connect just with a specific group in your classroom, so not everyone has to read the resources you found for that particular small group.

WEAKNESSES OF USING EDMODO

• It is difficult for students to upload work from their smartphones – it is a multi-step process, and something always seems to go wrong. It would be great if it was a lot smoother transition.
• Again, with smartphone, sometimes students just cannot log in, even though all their details are correct (and they can get on using a laptop).