Facebook and education??? Really??? Can this be true?

I am taking an online class, Integrating Technology Into the Curriculum. We are posting to a discussion board sites we have found that can assist us in engaging students through collaboration and communication online. Doug, a high school civics teacher in Baltimore, is 'successfully' using Facebook in his class! How many more teachers are out there using Facebook in their high school classes? And yet, how many more districts are blocking ALL social networking sites? When you Google using Facebook in education you find resources going back to 2008! Why are we so hesitant? We need to be teaching our students Internet responsibility. Yes, we will have problems. Yes, we will have to monitor our students and suspend their privileges. Yes, it takes teachers out of their comfort zone. Still, we need to be there...right now.

What is Edmodo

Edmodo is an online 'social networking' site-think an educational Facebook where students and teachers stay focused because there is no individual chatting or inviting others to join in. Students do not need an email address to participate in the space. Here is a link to an in depth review of the space from a middle school teacher who is using the space for everything from homework to grades!

Edmodo Review