One interesting and useful app that can be found on a computer, on
an iPad, or even on your phone is also the perfect app for classroom use. This
app in called Class Dojo and it is meant to encourage students in the
classroom in a variety of ways. While students are expected to participate in
class and work in pairs to help other students, sometimes they require a little
extra encouragement from their teachers. Class Dojo allows the teacher to
engage and encourage the students without wasting time in the classroom.
As many teachers know, class time is often wasted taking
attendance and transitioning from subject to subject. Class Dojo allows the
teacher to add each of their student’s names into the respected class and take
attendance on the app itself. This can save the teacher time as it can be done
as the students are entering the room or even setting up the material they will
need for the class. The teacher can also utilize the timer the app provides to
allow the students to see the amount of time they will be given to transition
their desk materials for the next subject. This is beneficial to the teacher
because it not only gives the students a set time to be ready by but also gives
him or her time to prepare for the next lesson. For example, the timer can be
set to three minutes and when it reaches zero the students must be in their
seats ready to learn.
Class Dojo also encourages students in the classroom through an
awarded point system. If students are helpful during the day or participating
in all subjects the teacher can award them points through the app that are
visibly shown near their name. Teachers are also capable of taking points away
from students if they are talking out of turn, have not done their homework, or
are not following directions. This point system can also give every student in
the class the same points or randomize the selection if all the students were
on task. The intention is to allow the students to see the benefits of being
prepared and on task while also showing that there are consequences for
inappropriate actions.
Sadly, teachers also have to see the down side of the app that
could cause students to think it is unfair that they did not receive points
when other students did. Parents also have questions about the app concerning
the privacy policy and how it is used in the classroom and the affects it can
have on students. It is common when using social media in the classroom that
everyone will see the advantages and disadvantages of the site but it is also
important to understand it is used to benefit the students and encourage their
progress. This will not only encourage the students to participate in the
classroom, but also provide them with a fun way of seeing their achievements
and progress over the year.
Using the randomize button not only randomizes the points awarded
but can also be a helpful tool when calling on students to participate. This
button will choose the student rather than the teacher calling on the same
student several times or neglecting to call on others. It is also useful when
assigning classroom jobs to the students without hurting a student’s feelings
or only picking the student that you like the most, which of course would never
happen because teachers do not have favorites.
This app also allows the parents to stay updated on their child’s
progress in the classroom. A parent can easily download the app and have
private messages with the teacher about their child and their progress as well
as stay updated on announcements that the teacher may have. Remember when you
were in school and the teacher gave you papers that had to be delivered to your
parents? If you were anything like me, those papers usually got lost somewhere
during delivery and your parents were not too happy with you either. Well, no
need to yell at the messenger anymore! This app will make it easier for
teachers to send parents important notes or updates that are guaranteed to get
delivered.
Another fun part of this app that teachers and parents love, of
course with prior approval, is the photo gadget. In many classrooms, teachers
have been given permission not only to photograph student’s work but also the
students themselves. This application allows teachers to upload those pictures
right to the app permitting the parents to see their children in their learning
environment and with their friends from their class. This may come in handy
when you ask your kids what they did at school today and you begin to get the
generated response of, “I don’t know” or “I don’t remember”. Parents now have
the opportunity to look on the site or the app and ask their children what they
were working on in the classroom or what they were learning when the picture
was taken.
It is evident that this app is a great tool for teachers in the
classroom as well as interested parents. Not only do teachers find this app
helpful in the classroom but also the students love to see their hard work be
rewarded. While it can help teachers accomplish simple tasks without wasting
too much of the class time it also encourages the students to participate and
learn new material. This app provides fun and interesting ways to get the class
involved as well as meet expectations and goals throughout the school year.
References
Baglien, K. (2015, January 11). Class Dojo. Retrieved January 30, 2016, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foeGzEhDTPY
Class Dojo-Pub Name [Class dojo title]. (n.d.). Retrieved January 29, 2016, from https://www.pubnub.com/customers/classdojo/
Register, A. (2015, September). Positive Points [Digital image]. Retrieved January 29, 2016, from http://registerhamilton.weebly.com/classdojo.html
Zanchelli, A. (2013, April 25). Class Format [Digital image]. Retrieved January 29, 2016, from http://dailylearningtothecore.blogspot.com/2013/04/class-dojo-online-behavior-management.html
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