Class Dojo

Resource:

Class Dojo

https://www.classdojo.com/

Description:

Class Dojo is a fantastic research that can be used by students, teachers, and parents.  Not only is it simple and safe to use but it is also an extremely effective classroom management tool that I have seen used during my professional practicum experience.  Class Dojo can not only be used to encourage students in the class room but it also allows teachers to communicate with parents and keep them updated on what is going on in the classroom.

Class Dojo is free an can be accessed online or by downloading the IOS or Android app.  Parents can sign up by providing their child’s teacher with their email or phone number so they can be sent an invitation.  This allows the teacher to share updates, messages and photos with parents and keep them in the loop.

This program can be used as a rewards system by awarding ‘positive points’ to students for good behaviour.  During my first prac the whole school used Class Dojo as a rewards system.  It was on the interactive whiteboard in each room with the students taking charge and using it themselves.

The instant message function is particularly effective in getting in contact with parents and updating them without delay.  Students can also share photos of what they have been doing in the classroom by uploading these to their Class Dojo page.

It has some additional helpful features such as attendance, a timer, and graphs of positive and negative points that were distributed to keep track of how the class has been going over the year.

Students can log in at home and change their avatar and look at their details whilst parents can log in and look at reports showing how the students are going.

How Class Dojo can be used in the classroom:

This video is a great one to watch as an introduction to Class Dojo and how it can be employed in the classroom.

This tutorial is great to inform you how to set up Class Dojo for a new class.

Year Level: F-10

Whilst Class Dojo is something that can be used across all year levels, I have found it to be particularly effective in lower primary.

Subject:

Technology

Strand:

Digital Technologies Knowledge and Understanding

Identify and explore a range of digital systems with peripheral devices for different purposes, and transmit different types of data (ACTDIK007)

Class Dojo can also be linked to other learning areas such as:

  • Literacy (using the program itself requires students to use literacy skills)
  • Mathematics (students can used the Class Dojo data in mathematical problems etc.)
  • Information and Communication Technology (being able to navigate the website etc.)
  • Critical and Creative Thinking (Students can create their own profile character on the page)

ABC Splash

Resource:

ABC Splash

http://splash.abc.net.au/

Description:

ABC Splash is a fantastic digital education resource for both students and teachers.  This website is free and it provides the user with thousands of videos, games, and interactive tools that will help ignite interest and enthusiasm for the students.

It gives them the option to select their year level and type in what they want to know about and then it brings up all the appropriate videos etc. that the students can use to learn.  Once you click on the video link you are provided with an overview of the topic and video as well as things to think about when watching the video.  There is also a handy tab for teachers that includes all the curriculum links that the video relates to.

There is a STEM section of the website that focuses on Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics section that provides information on many digital technologies such as coding and robotics.

This website is super user friendly as it also gives the option to search by subject and year levels, meaning as a teacher we can easily find the resources to assist us in teaching the desired outcomes to our students.

The games section of the website provides students with a tactile learning experience allowing them to enrich their knowledge.

http://splash.abc.net.au/home#!/games

How ABC Splash can be used in the classroom:

ABC Splash has its own YouTube channel that can be used to further enhance the students learning and providing them with an additional digital resource to use for learning.

https://www.youtube.com/user/ABCSplashTV

This website can be used by the children when they are conducting their own research or it can be used by the teacher during lessons.

Students can also use the website to listen to podcasts such as this one.

Year Level: F-10

ABC Splash caters to students from Foundation Year to Year 10 giving students the chance to identify their year group and what they are searching for and providing them with the appropriate results.

Subject:

Technology

Strand:

Digital Technologies Processes and Production Skills

Collect, access and present different types of data using simple software to create information and solve problems (ACTDIP009)

ABC Splash can be used to teach many learning areas such as:

  • English
  • Maths
  • Science
  • Humanities and Social Sciences
  • The Arts
  • Health and Physical Education