Edmodo
"Edmodo is a global education network that helps connect all learners with the people and resources needed to reach their full potential."
-Edmodo ©2016
In fact, it would appear that Edmodo and GAFE have more in common than not. Both offer a way of working collaboratively with students to provide immediate formative assessment and a way of organizing classes using cloud-based technology.
Edmodo does have certain advantages over GAFE, largely due to the fact that it has been out longer, but it is important to note that Google is constantly adding more features to their suite of tools (The Tech Lady Express Website, 2014). For example, Edmodo gives you that ability to create quizzes that are then built into the dashboard. In GAFE, you can use Google Forms to create the quiz, add an app called Flubaroo that will mark the quiz, calculate the average mark overall, and for each question to help identify areas of student weakness, email the students their individual grades and allow the teacher to provide feedback to each student. Click on the image to learn more about Flubaroo, or check out the tutorial in the Google Forms section.
Edmodo also has a feature called Snapshot which is "Standards Aligned" with the US curriculum and serves the valuable function of tracking student progress (Edmodo, 2016). There are, however, several similar online book keeping tools for teachers that could be used to fill this gap with GAFE such as MyGradeBook. Further, MyGradeBook allows for parental access to student information and email communication between teachers and home. Click on the image below to learn more about MyGradeBook. Alternatively, check out our tutorial on Google Sheets to see how it can be used to create a record of student marks.
-Edmodo ©2016
In fact, it would appear that Edmodo and GAFE have more in common than not. Both offer a way of working collaboratively with students to provide immediate formative assessment and a way of organizing classes using cloud-based technology.
Edmodo does have certain advantages over GAFE, largely due to the fact that it has been out longer, but it is important to note that Google is constantly adding more features to their suite of tools (The Tech Lady Express Website, 2014). For example, Edmodo gives you that ability to create quizzes that are then built into the dashboard. In GAFE, you can use Google Forms to create the quiz, add an app called Flubaroo that will mark the quiz, calculate the average mark overall, and for each question to help identify areas of student weakness, email the students their individual grades and allow the teacher to provide feedback to each student. Click on the image to learn more about Flubaroo, or check out the tutorial in the Google Forms section.
Edmodo also has a feature called Snapshot which is "Standards Aligned" with the US curriculum and serves the valuable function of tracking student progress (Edmodo, 2016). There are, however, several similar online book keeping tools for teachers that could be used to fill this gap with GAFE such as MyGradeBook. Further, MyGradeBook allows for parental access to student information and email communication between teachers and home. Click on the image below to learn more about MyGradeBook. Alternatively, check out our tutorial on Google Sheets to see how it can be used to create a record of student marks.
Why Choose GAFE?
Like Edmodo, GAFE is free. The account needs to be created for a school or district, then students, teachers, and parents can begin. Most people are familiar with Google, what it does for education is provide cloud based, real-time collaboration available on any device that connects to the internet while using familiar tools. Further, once a school is on board the students only need to navigate one system, rather than several different ones used across subjects, and one calendar can be used to coordinate all subjects.
In reading many reviews and blogs on Edmodo the point was often made that it can be difficult for to upload work. The solution was often to use Google Drive, part of the GAFE suite of tools, to serve this purpose. Again the benefit of using an integrated system is apparent.
In reading many reviews and blogs on Edmodo the point was often made that it can be difficult for to upload work. The solution was often to use Google Drive, part of the GAFE suite of tools, to serve this purpose. Again the benefit of using an integrated system is apparent.