Classroom+websites+for+collaboration+and+communication

About the Facilitator:
Lisa Unger History teacher @ ODSS lisa.unger@ugdsb.on.ca @l_unger on twitter

=Why have a Class website?= A classroom website is a great place to encourage students to be responsible for their learning. There are various levels of communication depending on the tool and the teacher's comfort level. I'm focused on Edmodo as I like the interactive aspect of if - it is like Facebook for the classroom. But if you don't want as much 2 way communication, google sites might be more your speed.



Watch this 2 min 26 sec video on Edmodo as an introduction.

media type="youtube" key="nHtwgZEHzNs" height="346" width="462"

Here is another video that will quickly (1 min 23 sec) take you through getting started.

media type="youtube" key="4-KBwriCO-Q" height="283" width="517"

**Go to Edmodo.com to create your teacher account.**
====If you are here due to your connection with ** ECOO2012 **, please feel free to join my Edmodo ECOO group using access code** t11c43 **. We will work a little in this spaces during the session on Friday, October 26, 2012 in the Markham B room at 1:15.====

====Feel free to join my UG learning fair group, using access code t14r0g then you can do a poll and see some of the components in action. Feel free to post a message in the group saying who you are, and what you teach. Respond to others' posts.====

__For your classroom:__
- calendar - assignments, with due dates (students can submit assignments through Edmodo as well) - send messages, like posting homework - microblogging (for teachers and students) - quizzes (formative or otherwise) - instant polls - badges - post lessons, slideshows, videos
 * //Communication://**

- folder sharing (from your library) - connects to google docs within the library - create small groups within your class for group projects
 * //Collaboration://**

- library
 * //Curation://**

- practice good digital citizenship - create a profile - respectful voice - how to curate (keep track of) sources - using tags
 * //Practice Digital Literacy Skills://**

- join communities (subject or interest based) - connect with other teachers world wide - create own PLNs within Edmodo to share information
 * //For your PD://**

Click here to read Edmodo's 20 suggestions about How to Use Edmodo.

Things I really like about Edmodo:

 * 1) Students create their own account/profile. The teacher doesn't have to create accounts for all the students. Just create one group and give code to students to have them join.
 * 2) The support community is amazing! Send a question to them, and often get an answer within an hour.
 * 3) All communication is out in the open - the teacher sees all messages.
 * 4) There is a mobile version - students can access Edmodo where ever they are, and get updates on their iPhone, iPad

Some Other Website Options To Look At or Play With:

__Google Sites__ - use your ugcloud account to create your own website from scratch. It is a blank slate, you can build anything you like, and it isn't hard. Below I've included a youtube video about getting started with google sites - you and all your students have a gmail address through ugcloud. Make sure you use this, not your private gmail account. media type="youtube" key="c81hpnn1yK8" height="283" width="364"

I've also used google sites for student assignments/projects. Example from ODSS's greenhouse course - an online catalogue Example from CHC2D cold war unit - a class activity

__Schoology__ - I haven't used it, but have heard other people use it/like it. You can click on the image above to check it out. I've also embedded another teacher's youtube video about using schoology. media type="youtube" key="a_2AxILyVRQ" height="219" width="392"

__TeacherWeb__ - this is not intended for 2 way communication. It is much more about the teacher sending out information to the students. You can post course information, assignments, quizzes, rubrics, links, marks (using a code name). If you click on the image it will take you to my old TeacherWeb site. If you want to create your own go to TeacherWeb.com It looks elementary on this page, but secondary school teachers can set up more appropriate options on their pages. Here is my (out of date) TeacherWeb site.

__**Board Policy Information**__
According to the Board policy on 3rd party websites, if you create an account on a 3rd party website for teacher/student use, you must register it with the board (share your login information with them). This is link to the registration for your website or service. If these links don't work from within the wiki (because you may need to be logged into the staff portal), you can find the document through the staff webportal: choose Information Technology, then Digital Technologies Acceptable Use Handbook, then under Section E - Services - Third Party Applications choose 3RD party webservices helpful hints.