EDMODO

Edmodo is a free virtual learning environment. It does not require any email to sign up, thus makes the introduction of this tool a lot quicker and easier. The interface is quite similar to Facebook, and could also be treated as a social network. This tool is good for collaboration work, which means the teacher and all the students should be encouraged to participate in it. In order to restrict people from participating in a group discussion, the teacher could actually create a private group which only allows access to students who have the group code. In addition, the teacher could also upload videos, create files, add links, create quizzes as well as create polls with this tool. Hence, it is a highly recommended virtual learning environment. 

WORKING WITH EDMODO IN AN ESL CLASSROOM

Example 1: Create A Quiz (Post-reading Activity)

1. Teacher could first activate students schemata on the topic related to the reading text.
2. Then, the teacher could hand out the reading text for the students to skim and scan through the text.
3. After that, they could discuss on the authentic tasks and students will have to read the text by applying some of the reading skills.
4. This will then be followed by a group work - write a summary of the reading text.
5. Lastly, students will have to complete a quiz based on the text on which has been created by the teacher in Edmodo. They would also get a score for the quiz done. This can only be carried out with a condition that all of the students in the class must have registered for an Edmodo account beforehand.

Example 2: Create an Assignment (Writing Activity)

1. Teacher could either choose to carry out this writing activity  fully with Edmodo or integrate it with some classroom discussion. However, the example here mainly focus on the activity done with Edmodo only.
2. After setting up a group with the full participation of the students, the teacher could come out with a few questions which are related to the topic for the writing task to encourage comments and feedback from the students. The questions can be posted on the wall of the group. From here, students could have a written discussion instead of an oral ones.
3. After some interaction that has been done between the students and the teacher, the teacher could actually create an assignment for the group (related to the topic that has been discussed).
4. The date of submission can be set and students will be able to submit their assignment through Edmodo itself.  

Advantages:

• It is FREE.
• It provides teacher and students a secure place to connect, collaborate and share content.
• It decreases the hassle of travelling and meeting when classes are being carried out in a virtual environment.
• It is quite user-friendly as one does not need to have an email to sign up.
• It has iOS and Andriod apps available through the Apple apps store and Google Play. Thus, one could actually access to it even without a laptop or computer. 

Limitations:

• It demands for internet connection.
• A teacher cannot recover the information lost about a student.
• You cannot delete the account that has been set up yourself. Instead, you need to contact the administrator. 

Let's start to have fun with it!!!

http://www.edmodo.com/