Student Contributor: S. Hough
ClassDojo is a communication tool put into place by teachers/schools in order to keep in contact with parents and students. Parents are able to interact with their students, as well as being kept up to date on anything going on in the classroom/school/district.
This tool can be used to send out reminders about upcoming projects, spirit week announcements, pictures taken in class, links for more information or to sign up for a school activity, etc. It is important to remember that in order to use ClassDojo, you need to have internet access and an email to be able to use and participate. You can sign up as a parent, student, or teacher, so everyone has access tailored to their needs.I was first introduced to ClassDojo in EDUC 462, and now see it being used schoolwide at my placement. Students love being able to create their own avatars and seeing who can accumulate the most points.
I believe this should be placed in the Supportive Phase as it helps to create a positive, informed community of teacher, students and parents. Everyone is getting the same information, so everyone should be on the same page. This connects to the Preventative Phase by allowing information to be accessible always and often. Students assignments, announcements, etc are right there on the app, and won't get lost in the shuffle of "take home" papers. I also think this could be connected to the Corrective Phase as students are given points based on whatever criteria the teacher decides. This could be used as corrective behavior for turning in homework, or a reward for being the first table ready for lunch, etc.
More Information –
Tool Source: Gus Nollmeyer
http://www.classdojo.com
I have been testing this tool in my rural, first glade classroom which has 21 students. It was easy to plan for and easy to use, the invite just has to be sent to all of the parents so they can join the ClassDojo/get notifications/etc. We have seen a lot of success using this tool because once getting permission from the parents to take pictures of their children, we have been able to upload pictures of the students once they complete something in the classroom (a Lexia reading level, writing to 120, etc.). I also posted in the ClassDojo a little introduction about who I am, so parents are in the loop that I am working with their students as well as my mentor teacher. Students, teachers, and parents are able to connect through this app which I have seen is very useful — students love that their parents get to see what they have been doing in school and parents love it as well. I haven’t noticed any adjustments that can be made to this website as I have been hearing nothing but good things about it.