When it comes to social media in schools, our county has the policy that everything should be “crystal clear!” Because of all of the negative implications that social networking can have… inappropriate student / teacher engagement, sharing of photos and video without consent, bullying or harassment… I completely understand why some school systems have adopted a zero tolerance / application policy.  Unfortunately we need to also weigh the benefits of such a powerful tool… after all, parents and students are actively involved in these networks and they interact with them frequently.

For me personally, edmodo has been a great asset as a “learning network.”  My students and parents have accounts and we utilize this as our network to communicate with each other.  Because there is a smartphone app for Edmodo, the students and parents have access to the site 24/7.  Messages and questions, as well as assignment submissions post to my smart devices as well… allowing for access even when I am not in the physical school building.  On a poll (conducted on Edmodo) about the use of the platform for assignments, schedules, mini conferences, submissions, etc., the majority of students thought that A – it helped them to stay more aware, B- it gave them more opportunities for one on one interaction with me (the teacher) and C- it helped them know more about the schedule of upcoming events and they were more likely to check Edmodo than the school website, or their assignment planners (paper copy).  However, I must confess that even a magic “crystal ball” has its disadvantages… for those who do not have assess at home, they frequently are out of the loop so to speak… they are not part of the posted discussion on the class “board” and they must find time during “smart period” to turn access notes, etc. if they want the interactive copy.