Edmodo

http://edmodo.com

=What is it?= An internet networking platform for student/student and student/teacher interaction. The site is in its early stages, and so new members are invited to report any bugs they encounter (it's still evolving).

=How could it be used in the classroom?= This seems to be more of an administrative tool than a learning/teaching tool, and has more uses for managing information than it has place within lessons.


 * Handing out and in of assignments online, online classrooms- a place to access classroom files/work without having the hard copy versions. Students can post comments and essays/assignments to teachers and have grades sent with attached comments.
 * Brainstorming (submitting group ideas as posts)
 * Site could be used to create mini groups to work on certain subject areas and hand in work.
 * A common calendar.
 * Alerts can be set up to student emails - useful for reminders for permission slips / special sports gear / special show money etc.

Things we like about it: - Students don't have to have an email address to be able to join; - The teacher/administrator can changes students passwords (in case forgotten); - Privacy is one of edmodo's chief concerns; - Crisp design (it resembles Facebook); and - Group members' comments can be displayed in a shared place.

Things we think need work: - There is no auto-refresh, so displaying new items requires regular manual "refreshing"; - Seems to be difficult to navigate around with various types of forums to receive and post text.