How to Get Students to Pay Attention Using Technology - guest post

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHEhsFfV5s01NMlKdVNJwsFxah8Zft9vWUDnw50E-PDuVSw3wBtqwxG2IzitQZXNKRoMpzk-6biRf4fXHUxYp-zAjct1c8LTs_5fWy9r0dbzIUY-fW5LNkLaSDoVa6stqEDB5oHK4lH2n/s1600/LMS+Education+with+Dell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGHEhsFfV5s01NMlKdVNJwsFxah8Zft9vWUDnw50E-PDuVSw3wBtqwxG2IzitQZXNKRoMpzk-6biRf4fXHUxYp-zAjct1c8LTs_5fWy9r0dbzIUY-fW5LNkLaSDoVa6stqEDB5oHK4lH2n/s1600/LMS+Education+with+Dell.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="MsoNormal">Remember the days when you would sit in a classroom listening to the monotone voice of a teacher buzzing in the air and fight a bout of sleepiness?  How many times did you have to mentally shake yourself awake or wish that bell would ring?<br /><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Today, however, teachers can engage their students in a variety of ways using technology.  Many teachers have found that the implement of educational technology in their learning environment encourages students to learn.  If you are looking for ideas to attract your students’ attention, here are some things to consider.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Learning Management Systems</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Learning management systems use a variety of technology tools to keep students interested in the subject being taught.  These systems may combine the use of online videos, clickers, managing groups, and blackboards to encourage class participation.  Teachers can monitor students’ responses and upload related material within seconds to every student’s monitor or tablet. </div><div class="MsoNormal">One of the advantages of using learning management systems is that you can learn more about your students’ individual learning styles.  As you know, some students learn best through auditory methods while others learn better when they use hands-on methods.  These systems use a combination of teaching methods which engage students, regardless of their learning style.  You can incorporate colorful images, videos, and text that catch students’ attention and keep them entertained as they are learning.  Students can also use their monitor to send feedback and questions to you instead of raising their hand.  This facilitates more student participation since some students do not feel comfortable drawing attention to themselves in the classroom, and builds upon the teacher/student relationship.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Educational Technology Instigates Learning</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Using educational technology in your classroom will instigate learning among your students, encouraging them<a href="http://draft.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=724457839898909214" name="_GoBack"></a>to explore the world around them and think about what they are seeing and hearing. Ideas of how to engage students that partner excellently with LMS are discussed thoroughly by <a href="http://edudemic.com/2012/05/7-ways-to-keep-students-focused-while-using-technology/">Jeff Dunn</a> on edudemic.com in a recent and well utilized article. His approach to learning is based around the ideas that though we have these tools to use, there are still ways to keep students engaged instead of distracted. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Personal Response Systems</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Personal response systems, also simply known as clickers, are an effective tool in the classroom.  Similar to those used on game shows, you can show students a question on the large screen and then ask them to click in their answer.  The answers immediately alert you to concepts that the students are struggling with, so that you can slow down the day’s lesson to explain the concept in greater detail.  In this way, instruction becomes more customized and students will be able to comprehend issues that in a traditional setting they would have struggled with.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Desktop Sharing</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Every teacher has at least one or two students (maybe more) in their class who never speak up.  For some students, the idea of speaking out loud in a classroom is just too stressful.  For others, they may worry that students will laugh at them, or they may struggle with putting their thoughts into speech.  Desktop sharing can bridge those gaps, giving students another alternative to speaking—writing.   Writing gives students time to think about what they want to say and then correct their speech as they write down their opinion, strengthening their writing skills.  </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br /></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Presentation Technology</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal">Technology can encourage the creative side of your students.  For example, you could form groups and then assign them to come up with a presentation of a specific concept, or topic, using technology.  This gives students the opportunity to apply what you have been teaching them and then expand upon the information, conducting independent research and putting that data into a visual presentation using a variety of programs.  Students learn to work together, preparing them for a work environment, and gives them experience with public speaking while letting them put their own angle on the subject. </div><div class="MsoNormal">For instance, if you were teaching a history class and the focus was on World War II, you could assign one group of students to put together a presentation on German battle strategy, one group to focus on American strategy, and one group to talk about British strategy. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Author Bio<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal">Brian Jensen works with Dell. <span style="color: #222222;">In his spare time he enjoys traveling, cooking and spending time with his family. He has a passion for learning and writing about all things technology. He is currently researching Learning Management Systems and would recommend visiting </span><a href="http://content.dell.com/us/en/highered/hied-solution-learning-management-systems">dell.com</a><span style="color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> for more information.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br /></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i><br /></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><i>Engaging lessons, keeping students active and part of the class, and using projects. </i><br /><br /><br /></div>

How to Get Students to Pay Attention Using Technology - guest post

Remember the days when you would sit in a classroom listening to the monotone voice of a teacher buzzing in the air and fight a bout of slee...

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Chalkable - educational apps and classroom management system

<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5iDzV2-6TVobFWProkM9fxjDzuIfLZLvyvceLMmdZy9b5iuQ68UU_bmggzBkWvwZ_5fZ5fZBcPCnT7bR_eSU6PqT6zKG89iFeoL3rXkGW-ZgifPqENjpmPUaY8-P_XXRD35Aw-jw7XX7/s1600/Chalkable-113222.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-5iDzV2-6TVobFWProkM9fxjDzuIfLZLvyvceLMmdZy9b5iuQ68UU_bmggzBkWvwZ_5fZ5fZBcPCnT7bR_eSU6PqT6zKG89iFeoL3rXkGW-ZgifPqENjpmPUaY8-P_XXRD35Aw-jw7XX7/s320/Chalkable-113222.png" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><br /></div><a href="http://chalkable.com/">Chalkable</a> is a site that lists the best education apps in one place and lets you buy it through the Chalkable site. You can search apps by keyword, or browse by categories like Math, Science, History and more.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://chalkable.com/common/images/apps_img.png" /><br /><br />It is also a learning platform, providing a calendar, messaging, grade book, and attendance for teachers and students to use.<br /><br /><img alt="" src="http://chalkable.com/common/images/platform_img.png" /><br /><br />Teacher and Administrator versions are in Beta and free. The student version is in beta, is $10 per year, and includes $5 towards apps.<br /><br />It could be a nice way to have classroom management system and apps all in one place.<br /><br /><br /><b>Related:</b><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/03/edu-20-free-course-management-system.html">EDU 2.0 - free course management system for schools</a><div><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-great-course-management-resources-for.html">5 Great course management resources for educators</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-learning-course-management-system.html">it's learning Course Management System</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/openclass-pearson-and-google-combine-to.html">OpenClass - Pearson and Google combine to make free LMS</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/03/learnboost-online-plannergradebook.html">Learnboost online planner/gradebook announces new admin features</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>

Chalkable - educational apps and classroom management system

Chalkable is a site that lists the best education apps in one place and lets you buy it through the Chalkable site. You can search apps by ...

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My Big Campus - the Long Review Wrapup

<span id="internal-source-marker_0.5044005331583321"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><br /></b></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><b><img height="57px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KeTH3jyknyYxclh8poj_Cr8t6UF0Dgh7iRkTxqoRB3oG8gLAnHedMDS58NfWlx23SdWnULFrYgz3i5-CNLmQ_No2-lShWh5XvxAElie7QkbKBYCazdE" width="177px;" /></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This school year, I have been using and reviewing </span><a href="http://www.mybigcampus.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Big Campus</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> from Lightspeed Systems in my classroom. </span><a href="http://www.mybigcampus.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Big Campus</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is an online service that allows schools to create an engaging, collaborative online environment. It allows schools and teachers to create a virtual classroom to use with their students. There is a resource library with videos, web sites, wiki’s and more. You can create groups and blogs and use the messaging system. Teachers can create a classroom calendar and even create, assign, and grade student assignments. The teacher can keep up with what the students are doing through the notification system too. Teachers can upload files to share with their students. It can even be used for staff development and communications and collaboration in place of in-person meetings. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It was extremely easy to set up and use, and there are great help resources, a blog with tips for using it, and a user forum. To get other teachers, or your students, to sign up and connect with you, just send them an invite email through the system, or even generate a unique URL to share with them. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The stand alone version of My Big Campus is free to use and chock-full of some great features. You can also purchase My Big Campus with a Collaborative Web Filter. To find out more, check the</span><a href="http://www.mybigcampus.com/get-started" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Getting Started” page</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have set it up with my resource library of files that I usually post on my class website, links that I usually put on my class blog, and use the calendar feature to put in assignment due dates and reminders, test dates and even have school events listed. If you whole school is using it, there is a calendar category for school events and even district events. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The “Your Stuff” section is the one I’ve used the most so far. I’ve uploaded files, photos and links to web sites and even YouTube videos. What I like is that you can filter by type of resource and easily search all of your “stuff.” You can upload class resources and more and share them with students, or other educators. You can also search the Educational Resources Library and see some of the resources other educators have uploaded and use with your class. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The assignments feature is great and allows you to easily assign students work and tasks and manage them and see who has completed what assignments. Students get notified about new assignments so they won’t forget. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Big Campus has apps for iOS and Android. The apps have most of the functions that the full website does. You can see a screen shot of the Android app below and see all the features it has. The Android app is easy to use and works great. I’ve been playing with it for the last day or so and love it. It allows teachers to access the MBC accounts from anywhere. I like the fact that now I can use it while walking around my classroom working with my students.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Android App:</span><a href="https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lightspeedsystems.mbc" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://market.android.com/details?id=com.lightspeedsystems.mbc</span></a><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">iOS App:</span><a href="http://mbcurl.me/1RM" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="color: #000099; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://mbcurl.me/1RM</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><b><img height="357px;" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JyW_7957gKXxaP-Zx2u5ZitlsTv07zyT11gViXdNWmRpdvo2E5MQZdall0r4U1GbP8u-LJQyJTfSEzfk1xsExuIfG0IjLSsUfd4ejQWSO_dCfepkbFU" width="220px;" /></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Another feature is EduTalk. EduTalk is MBC’s “social network for educators”. It is made up of status updates from educators, not students, and allows educators to share resources, tips, ideas and more. It’s a great way to connect with other educators using MBC and share ideas. It’s also great if you have questions about MBC or how to do things.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><b><img height="369px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/25GyyjsauM9ze681aIrsTpk-7-TKD0GoRezVbK5K7ZYHQb9x4Rt0hKKtbOXKHOlfBl4VXfFZWxn_w5f_Lc9fqdJPXITPNFNDn2sWepLLfYoDTmAVg7A" width="479px;" /></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The calendar feature allows you to add events, reminders, due dates and more and your students can subscribe to the class calendar to stay current. Setting study reminders a couple of days before exams, or a due date reminder a few days before a project due date, is a great way to help your students stay on schedule.</span><b><img height="290px;" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gbJzeIKkyZ0UwDwmrTmBZPQqYW7K-jUp6FNZkKtg2KJtNL0h96f-AVpkqfHPYpngHZYRklbcJcWxJpw_baWN4JqdEiT6pDTH6crWKrF6BH2kpd3dWLU" width="572px;" /></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The conversations feature is a great place to hold virtual study and help sessions. It can be in real time, or can be done as you and your students have time to connect. Students can post questions as they study and get help from the teacher or classmates. Teachers can hold study groups and review sessions. This is also good for schools when there are snow days and cancellations, as classes could still “meet” and learn. </span><b><img height="386px;" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4TRnrRKo-bzlM8FIRANWymVwRsqlNwx5SuHYCjrsXjoUTShtMWcGsTwghQsCmr6VrtYsG2KQgFjQxOvc3zMcf2l9W-K9PKTlK_YX7n4325McIrEHhTg" width="498px;" /></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Schoolwork section is where you can assign work to your students and where they find their assignments. It also keeps track of what is graded and what still needs to be graded. I assigned review work before the midterm exam using this feature.</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><b><img height="304px;" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HagakbpqogqpoP76I8ozjBCwbBjZ9voir5pNqrTwa0sU6u6tTCl4HUFDfMQhtaJPcsF04s5ny2xlvfkZyx-fFTmsYOxSeELFSre3ntzqTYEZI2pRY9o" width="415px;" /></b><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Big Campus has a lot of great features that make things better and easier for educators and students. You can share files, communicate, assign work, conduct class discussions, hold help sessions online, and create an online environment for your class that is useful and easy to use. </span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My Big Campus is a very useful and powerful tool for educators and students.  Try it out yourself and see. </span><a href="http://www.mybigcampus.com/" style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.mybigcampus.com/</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span><br /><span><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></span>

My Big Campus - the Long Review Wrapup

This school year, I have been using and reviewing My Big Campus from Lightspeed Systems in my classroom. My Big Campus is an online servic...

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Edmodo - free social learning platform expands and improves

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="93" src="http://rookery9.aviary.com.s3.amazonaws.com/8400500/8400632_b192_625x625.jpg" width="320" /></div><br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">Edmodo</a> is a free social learning network for teachers, students and schools, providing a way to connect and collaborate, share content, access homework and grades, communicate, organize lessons, and much more.<br /><br /><img height="192" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRmaOjZOq2bSLpi1o6pReHmV4H1zAwr3u0HBZb-ZWVO1NfWv30qwdkfxTJg" width="320" /><img height="188" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSCMttmAZroDdui-ZIjRWPv6IfTy3zKp5tLoK6S15SeahEp-8XIA5AST85u" width="320" /><br /><br />It provides teachers a private, safe way to connect with their students and parents, organize and share lessons, share resources with students, manage projects, remind students of important dates, and even distribute quizzes. The fact that it is a private system is what makes it appealing to teachers and school systems. It's also free. There are also mobile apps, allowing access to Edmodo and it's features on your smartphone or tablet.<br /><br /><img alt="" class="rg_hi uh_hi" data-height="275" data-width="183" height="275" id="rg_hi" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTn7AZXWVkv-cPPLtwi2LBIQO6I8qs5psKhHbebWiaEAkHRN46S" style="height: 275px; width: 183px;" width="183" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">Edmodo</a> recently announced that it has over 7 million users and is used in over 80,000 schools in both the US and around the world. Some of the biggest school districts in the US are deploying it across their entire district. It has managed to raise millions of dollars in investments and funding to keep it going.<br /><br />One of the features that makes <a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">Edmodo</a> popular and more "student friendly" is that it is similar to Twitter and Facebook in that it has a stream-based environment. Students and teachers can converse and communicate using a familiar stream, or conversation on a wall environment.<br /><br /><img height="250" src="http://blogs.bullittschools.org/lanadixon/files/2012/02/Edmodo-Screenshot1.png" width="400" /><br /><br />This past March, Edmodo also opened up it's API, the information and tools developers need to create apps that work with Edmodo, and is allowing educational app developers the ability to create apps that work with Edmodo. This will give these app developers a huge audience (Edmodo users) and a built in market to sell their apps. Edmodo will get a percentage of the sale, helping support the platform. Edmodo with have it's own app store for these apps and already has partners working to develop apps for it. It will launch this coming September. These apps will help Edmodo, and can be very useful to teachers and students in expanding learning opportunities and the functions of Edmodo.<br /><br />Edmodo is a great resource for education. It allows teachers and students to communicate, collaborate, share, and learn, all in a private, secure environment.<br /><br />This success is welcome news for teachers who are using it. It means that it should be around for quite a while. We only hope that with success, doesn't come any negative changes.<br /><br /><br /><b>Edmodo home page:</b> <a href="http://www.edmodo.com/">http://www.edmodo.com/</a><br /><br /><b>Source:</b>   <a href="http://techcrunch.com/2012/04/30/edmodo-hits-7m/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=Google+Reader">TechCrunch</a><br /><br /><b>Related:</b><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2011/06/22-great-tips-on-using-edmodo-in.html">22 Great Tips on using Edmodo in the classroom</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-great-course-management-resources-for.html">5 Great course management resources for educators</a><br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/04/which-social-network-should-you-use.html">Which Social Network should you use? Infographic on which to use when.</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/02/some-more-great-android-apps-for.html">Some more great Android Apps for Education</a> (including Edmodo app)<br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 12.5px; margin-top: 12.5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: helvetica, arial, clean, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px; margin-bottom: 12.5px; margin-top: 12.5px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>

Edmodo - free social learning platform expands and improves

Edmodo is a free social learning network for teachers, students and schools, providing a way to connect and collaborate, share content, acc...

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EDU 2.0 - free course management system for schools

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTlqdkVIRKXV6mXxRDY0Fv7iGvP_Wb-PgqU9uXQxkCk78k58_H8Cx_-sg76HS9RKfOLIyZ8qV70WuAGIQHblSk3yu5d-ENxlNrj2H0OAPDHmWOA_mCHDKH_IgNJAAikLWKliFofTr_V1E/s1600/EDU+2.0+for+school++the+free,+easy+way+to+teach+and+learn+online-082240.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="38" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijTlqdkVIRKXV6mXxRDY0Fv7iGvP_Wb-PgqU9uXQxkCk78k58_H8Cx_-sg76HS9RKfOLIyZ8qV70WuAGIQHblSk3yu5d-ENxlNrj2H0OAPDHmWOA_mCHDKH_IgNJAAikLWKliFofTr_V1E/s400/EDU+2.0+for+school++the+free,+easy+way+to+teach+and+learn+online-082240.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><a href="http://www.edu20.org/">EDU 2.0</a> is a free course management system for schools. It is cloud-hosted, easy to use, and well designed and includes features for students, parents, teachers and administrators. Teachers can share class resources and more with their students and other teachers.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.edu20.org/info/features">features</a> are excellent. Teachers can create lessons, assessments, quizzes, an online gradebook, their own start page portal, class calendar, discussion forums and much more.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6fPmqNDpYk5-pmhXHd2nUqm1fRZiUdcUMSwtEhyphenhyphen_6XS3PqOlvB_GLwo8BNiC25JnHPo33UhtVgI6Tln2Sx9u17U8u5VyTGl0MiuXqCh-ufJ2R26WO4pg951qwveTV8E78JoYy09CNXad/s1600/EDU+2.0+for+School+-+Google+Docs-082750.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-6fPmqNDpYk5-pmhXHd2nUqm1fRZiUdcUMSwtEhyphenhyphen_6XS3PqOlvB_GLwo8BNiC25JnHPo33UhtVgI6Tln2Sx9u17U8u5VyTGl0MiuXqCh-ufJ2R26WO4pg951qwveTV8E78JoYy09CNXad/s320/EDU+2.0+for+School+-+Google+Docs-082750.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><br />The free plan includes unlimited teachers accounts with up to 2000 student accounts. Features include: Customizable portal, Classes, lessons, resources, Five types of assignments, Quizzes and question banks, Rubrics, Gradebook, Collaboration tools, Portfolios, Libraries for sharing, News and activity feeds, Integrated social networking, Parent accounts, Great on mobile devices, Unlimited storage.<br /><br />Here is a great <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/embed?id=12bndZv-ps14H8AgMqQFWj4jlZRuV_3sD50jGzq3Ezyw&start=false&loop=false&delayms=3000">Google Docs presentation on the features of EDU 2.0</a><br /><br /><span style="background-color: #fefdfa; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 17px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span><br /><br />This is another great option for schools looking for a course management system for in-person classes or even to start creating online courses.<br /><br /><br /><b>Related:</b><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-great-course-management-resources-for.html">5 Great course management resources for educators</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2010/03/its-learning-course-management-system.html">it's learning Course Management System</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/openclass-pearson-and-google-combine-to.html">OpenClass - Pearson and Google combine to make free LMS</a><br /><br /><a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/03/learnboost-online-plannergradebook.html">Learnboost online planner/gradebook announces new admin features</a><br /><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />

EDU 2.0 - free course management system for schools

EDU 2.0 is a free course management system for schools. It is cloud-hosted, easy to use, and well designed and includes features for studen...

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OpenClass - Pearson and Google combine to make free LMS

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Product image" itemprop="image" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/j-IBUdas8m8Y1955MfTK0mOiYGB-bjubePrpWRHDf_RhS7C_4pJ0nI6sEkXuEbiW5LwLYPh9HqNAhmzB=s120?gr=13129bbbe0a" /></div><br /><a href="http://www.joinopenclass.com/open/view/t1">OpenClass</a> is a free <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/2012/01/5-great-course-management-resources-for.html">Learning Management System (LMS)</a> from Pearson and <a href="http://educationaltechnologyguy.blogspot.com/p/google-for-educators_22.html">Google</a> that combines course management tools with social networking and community tools. Educators can import any material they want into the system. It is available through Google Apps for Education and hosted by Pearson. It is free, easy to use, and powerful.<br /><br />LMS are a great way for educators to organize their course materials and share with students, communicate and interact with students and parents, and even run online courses.<br /><br /><br /><br />

OpenClass - Pearson and Google combine to make free LMS

OpenClass is a free Learning Management System (LMS) from Pearson and Google that combines course management tools with social networking...

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