Socrative Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

Socrative isn't technically a "communication tool", but I'm calling it that because it enables fast communication of student understanding.  Teachers can create a question in literally one minute, students can answer on their devices.  Socrative provides both instant feedback in visual format on the class screen, as well as reports for the teacher on student achievement.  I love the option to do a "space race," where rockets race across the screen as students answer.  Teachers and class members can see how many students still need to answer.  Results can be formated so that names are not shown so that students with incorrect answers are not publicly shamed.  Teachers will still be able to see student-specific results in their records.  Teachers can draw from shared questions, or contribute to the bank of questions from which others can draw.  I love that questions can be written and saved ahead of time, or, for teachers who like to go with the flow of discussion, can be written quickly on the spot during class.

**Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Socrative using the rubric is my own thinking.

Edmodo Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

Edmodo is a classroom workflow program that was created by two teachers.  This tool came onto the scene before Google Classroom, and was much like Facebook at its birth.  It has advanced to be an impressive way to manage assignments.  It does allow for teachers to archive assignments to access again in the future.  Google Classroom allows teachers to attach documents which have of course been saved in a Google Drive, so on that feature, both tools are tied.  Edmodo makes it easy to create "alumni" groups when a year ends so that students can keep in touch with each other, which is a fun option.  Teachers have power to moderate what gets posted.  One nice feature is the ability to create small groups WITHIN a classroom rather than creating multiple classes to assign more personalized content.  One area where Edmodo trumps Google Classroom is the fact that it has a standards-aligned question bank from which teachers can choose questions, create a quiz, and therefore take a snapshot of where students stand on a specific common core standard.


**Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Edmodo using the rubric is my own thinking.

Google Classroom Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

Google Classroom is one of the best ways to manage classroom communication and workflow that I have seen.  First of all, it is FREE!  Second of all, it does almost everything teachers need it to do, aside from provide the content to be taught.  I loved that I could set up "classes" for small groups or individual students so that I could easily personalize learning.  At the same time, I could set up a class for my entire class for general assignments.  Now, I think there is a feature that lets the teacher select who the assignment should go to, which eliminates the extra step of setting up individual classes.  Teachers can assign work, collect work, see how many students have turned in an assignment in real time, and ALL of this can be done without lugging a bag full of papers home to grade.  Assignments can be given right in Classroom with no attached "worksheets", or "worksheets" in the form of Google Docs can be attached for students to respond on.  There is a classroom conversation stream so that members can converse and answer their own questions without needing the teacher.  Links to web content, YouTube videos, and documents can be posted and assigned.  I appreciated that for younger grades, I could show a code that students could use to join since I couldn't invite them by email since they didn't have it.  I know there are classroom workflow systems that provide the content, but I love that this is free, AND I love that I can assign whatever I please.

**Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Google Classroom using the rubric is my own thinking.

Google Blogger Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

Google Blogger comes with the normal benefits of anything Google- great archives and searchability. I like Blogger because I don't need to think about another host.  I'm always logged into Google, and therefore can always access my blog without any extra work or sign-ins.  However, at the same time, I don't feel like Blogger goes out of it's way to be ultra-snazzy or amazing.  It's format seems kind of dry, but it does gets the job done.  It is good to keep in mind that if Google decides to be done with Blogger, they could pull it offline and you'd lose what you'd written.  (I think the odds are minimal, and you'd be given a warning in advance.)  I do like that Google invests a lot of time in being accessible in a plethora of languages (over 100 and counting) and countries, and on any device.

**Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Blogger  using the rubric is my own thinking.

Kidblog Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

• One could use Google Translate to create or read posts in different languages, but there is not a built in feature for translating text, so I couldn't give Kidblog a 4 for that standard.
• Kidblog is VERY kid-friendly.  My third grade students used it without any issues.  I know kindergarten teachers who have used Kidblog, and with practice, young students are completely capable of posting independently.
• There is a limited amount of video and photos that can be added using the free version of Kidblog.  Once you pay, you have much more freedom.  My kids always loved to include videos and pictures of their spelling study methods, so we finally bit the bullet and bought the paid version.
• Kidblog continues to make improvements to their platform.  They strive for "privacy, process, audience, and moderation. *"  Moderation is particularly important to me because I want to be cautious about what gets posted.  My class often would pull up posts or comments that were being written and discuss how they could be improved, or why I hadn't cleared the comment to be posted.
• Teachers have the option to archive previous classes.  I love this option because I could then use the work of prior students as examples for the current class.

*https://kidblog.org/home/kidblogs-new-platform/

**Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Kidblog using the rubric is my own thinking.

Wordpress Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

• WordPress content, unlike content you put on Google Blogger, is owned and controlled by you.  If Google decides to pull Google Blogger, all of the information will go with it.  With Wordpress, your content would remain.
• WordPress blogs (they can also host websites, or BOTH your blog and website together, but we're talking blogs specifically) are almost completely customizable*.  There are a plethora of different themes and layouts available through WordPress.  This made me happy because I feel like Google Sites is fairly limited on the layouts that you can choose.  Ample plugins available should you need further options.
• WordPress Dashboard has over 50 language options, but in the grand scheme of things, there are more languages to conquer, so I couldn't give Wordpress a 4 here.  Blogger can do over 100 languages and counting.
• *One big thing to remember is that Wordpress is free to a point, but there is a charge in order to access most of the amazing themes and options.  Therefore, for education, it may not be the best choice.

*Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Wordpress using the rubric is my own thinking.

Google Hangouts Evaluation Using Communication Rubric

"Google Hangouts" is one of my favorite features that Google has to offer.  You can send text messages, make phone calls, have video chats, or do live Hangouts on Air that are archived on YouTube.  Is there a method of online communication that they've left out? I can't think of one.  I use the Chat feature every day. Think of how awesome texting on your phone is- quick, back-and-forth conversations that take little or now time to write and send.  "G-Chat", as it is frequently called, is just the same, except the chat window shows up at the bottom right of your computer screen.  If you're in Gmail, the Chat feature is already turned on.  Check out this link to get started.  We as a tech team use G-Chat if we need a quick, short response from someone.  When notifications are turned on, that person hears a sound when a message comes through, and doesn't have to look through emails to find it.  This is useful when someone may be in a meeting or teaching a class, and wouldn't necessarily check email but may glance at a message that pops up.  To make things even more fun, you can use Bitmojis (For anyone NOT using these, you should be! They can bring fun to even the most mundane of messages.  We have a school secretary who will write entire messages with Bitmojis, and it is hilarious.)  One nice feature is that you can turn off the history of a chat once you don't really need to see it anymore.  This is nice if we've chatted about passwords or certain bits of information that folks don't need to see.  We can turn off history, and the conversation will NOT be archived.  Otherwise, I love that I CAN find conversations by using the search feature in Gmail. When I search for a keyword or phrase, like "pinging printers", gmail will bring up both emails and G-chats with that phrase.  Google is the master of search, so it makes sense that you should be able to search through your own content via multiple pathways.

Overall, Google has figured out how to facilitate easy conversation for FREE in ANY format (online chat, live video, phone call...).  Content is archived for future reference or can by viewed on YouTube if Hangouts on Air was used.  Communication is INSTANT and in REAL TIME.  This means that EVERY classroom has a FREE window to the world, to experts, to sister schools...  This means that an authentic audience is available for student work, bringing so much more meaning and motivation to everything they do.  Google's mission to "organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful" definitely shines through in their Hangouts feature.

*Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Hangouts using the rubric is my own thinking.

Twitter Evaluation Using Communication Tool Rubric

Twitter seems to be a pro at reaching the masses with an intuitive communication tool.  There is SO much information flowing via Twitter that I completely understand the requirement that users must be 13 years of age.  However, with thoughtful inclusion, elementary teachers can still take advantage of this tool.  For communities or classes new to Twitter, I think it will help to drum up some excitement in order to sway folks to agree about its value.  Classes could write Tweets together at the end of the day using a picture taken by the class photographer (who follows specific confidentiality rules such as refraining from showing student faces or last names).  Every day, a new student could be selected to be in the tweet.  Wow would that student be excited to run home and say they're in a Tweet!  At class and school events, signs with an appropriate hashtag could be posted around the school.  Even if folks don't want to write tweets, they could check for updates using that hashtag.  Twitter seems like a juicy tool to me because I tend to be too wordy, or to labor over what I'm going to say. With a limit of 140 characters, I'm forced to be brief and I'm less intimidated by the task of writing a "post" since it isn't going to take me an hour.  I can't wait to get our schools on Twitter in the fall!

*Rubric created in collaboration with Tricia Bursey and James Hoisington.  Evaluation of Twitter using the rubric is my own thinking.

UMF EDU568: Review: Google Sites

UMF EDU568: Review: Google Sites: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Blogger

UMF EDU568: Review: Blogger: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Google Docs/Sheets/Slides

UMF EDU568: Review: Google Docs/Sheets/Slides: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Twitter

UMF EDU568: Review: Twitter: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Facebook

UMF EDU568: Review: Facebook: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Google Classroom

UMF EDU568: Review: Google Classroom: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Podcasts

UMF EDU568: Review: Podcasts: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

UMF EDU568: Review: Remind

UMF EDU568: Review: Remind: Evaluating Communication Tools Needs Improvement Promising Good Excellent Ease of use -User requires support in order to na...

Remind Evaluation

This post is cross-posted on Mr. Cyr's Technology for Learning blog.

Previous reviews:

1. Adobe Spark
2. Shadow Puppet EDU
3. Thinglink
4. Bookopolis
5. Smoovie
6. Kiddom
7. ClassDojo

ClassDojo Evaluation

This post is cross-posted on Mr. Cyr's Technology for Learning blog.

Previous reviews:

1. Adobe Spark
2. Shadow Puppet EDU
3. Thinglink
4. Bookopolis
5. Smoovie
6. Kiddom

Kiddom Evaluation

This post is cross-posted on Mr. Cyr's Technology for Learning blog.

Previous reviews:

1. Adobe Spark
2. Shadow Puppet EDU
3. Thinglink
4. Bookopolis
5. Smoovie

Smoovie Evaluation

This post is cross-posted on Mr. Cyr's Technology for Learning blog.

Previous reviews:

1. Adobe Spark
2. Shadow Puppet EDU
3. Thinglink
4. Bookopolis

Communication Tool Evaluation Task: Remind

Remind

https://www.remind.com/features

Rubric for Assessing Communication Tools

Kristen Cosgrove and Geoff Cyr

#umfedu568

	Does not Meet	Meets	Exceeds
Technology Details
Compatibility		Service or Application is browser/operating system agnostic (e.g., can be used in multiple Internet browsers, and/or on desktop and mobile devices).
Cost		Service is available at little-to-no cost for teachers and schools, AND/OR offers free trials of services to classrooms and schools with available educational discounts for purchase.  Additional features can be purchased outside of in-app purchase system for mobile devices.
Marketing		Service does not contain any advertisements or marketing.
User Safety and Privacy
COPPA Compliance		Service is COPPA-compliant and proof is prominently displayed on the developers’ website AND/OR Developer is a signatory to the Student Privacy Pledge
Controlled Content Sharing		Teacher is able to control level that students’ content is shared at (e.g., classroom-level, other people by invitation, open to public, etc.)
Content Monitoring		Teacher can monitor, filter, and approve student content to platform and comments from others
Appropriate Content		Built-in controls prevent users from stumbling--intentionally or unintentionally--on inappropriate content
User-Friendliness - Students
Use of Multimedia		Students can create, upload, and share content from multiple sources of media (text, images, audio, video, hyperlinks, etc.)
Navigation		Navigation is simple and obvious enough for all users understand
Saving and Revision History		Service saves users’ work automatically, while also maintaining a log or history of changes made by users over time
User-Friendliness - Teachers
Classroom- Level Accounts		Service creates a master account for teachers that connects to and allows teachers to monitor student accounts
Setup		Service can be set up by teachers with minimal assistance needed
Account Creation		Student accounts are created by the teacher or school, or can easily be setup by students using a class code, AND/OR students can create accounts using a common third-party service, like a student Google account
Accessibility
Design and Layout		Service uses large text or multimedia elements that allow for younger students and students who struggle with reading to navigate the page, app, or service
Accessibility Features		Service integrates accessibility features designed to help users with physical or developmental disabilities to use the product.

	Does not Meet	Meets	Exceeds	Comments
Technology Details
Compatibility				This tool is compatible with all devices
Cost				This tool is free
Marketing				The tool does not use advertising within the app
User Safety and Privacy
COPPA Compliance				COPPA Compliant
Controlled Content Sharing				Phone number do not have to be shared to use this tool.
Content Monitoring				There is a tool to allow parents, teachers and students to flag/report inappropriate messages
Appropriate Content				The only thing students see are messages sent by the teacher
User-Friendliness – Students
Use of Multimedia				Allows for the use of a variety of multimedia including presentations, photo’s, PDFs and documents.
Navigation				Easy to use
Saving and Revision History				Users can download chat history and announcements if needed
User-Friendliness - Teachers
Classroom- Level Accounts				Teacher uses codes to control who has access to the class account
Setup				Teachers can invite parents and students to the account through cell phone numbers and/or email address, set up is relatively quick.
Account Creation				Teachers can invite parents and students to the account through cell phone numbers and/or email address t.
Accessibility
Design and Layout				I did not find any information on ways to make fonts bigger for younger students.
Accessibility Features				I did not see any setting that could be adjusted to accommodate students with disabilities.

Additional Notes:

Features that it has:

• ·         Direct message parents and students engaging in a back and forth conversation
• ·         Teachers can send voice messages
• ·         Teacher can send out announcements that parents and students do not need to respond to

How it could be used in the classroom:

This tool could be used to send reminder about events and projects to parents and students.  I think it could also be used as a way for teachers to set up a segment of time to be considered virtual “office hours” so if they were working on homework during that time and had a question they could send the teacher a message. 

Module 5 Collaboration Task/Effective Communication Tools #8 readwritethink

This tool offer lesson plans, student interactive programs and is an after school resource for parents.
It has many different tools to help students learn and develop their writing. Featured categories are: Organizing & Summarizing, Inquiry & Analysis, Writing Poetry, Writing & Publishing Prose and Learning about Language (k-1 specific).  This is a learning tool that would work very well in between the pre and post writing assessments.

       Evaluation Rubric for Communication Tools

readwritethink

Criteria	1 (Below Expectations)	2 (Near Expectations)	3 (Meets Expectations)
Learning Effectiveness	__No collaboration tools __Motivation is minimal __Very few students are engaged __Clearly does not challenge learners __No graphics __Does not meet learning objectives	__Collaboration tools may not be as effective __Motivates some student learning __Engages some students __Meets and challenges the needs of most learners __Uses some graphics that promote understanding __Meets most learning objectives being addressed	__Promotes effective collaboration __Motivates student learning __Engages all students __Meets and challenges the needs of all levels of learners __Uses graphics to promote understanding __Meets all learning objectives being addressed
Reliability & Support	__Very little tech support __No updates or they cost money __Does not support instructional strategies or only touches on a few __Does not track student progress __Does not provide assessments __Teacher needs a lot of support	__Tech support is available but not as accessible __Some updates provided __Supports most instructional strategies __Tracks student progress __Provides some simple assessments __Challenges teacher	__Easy access to tech support __Provides updates __Supports instructional strategies __Effectively tracks student progress __Provides built in assessments __Teacher friendly
Ease of Use	__No expectations __Instructions confusing; clearly not user friendly __May not fit some student abilities __Navigation features and menu are very confusing	__Expectations may be confusing __Instructions are a bit complicated __Student friendly but not so friendly for parents __Navigation features and menu may take time to understand	__Clear expectations __Simple instructions __Parent and student friendly __Clear navigation features and menu
Safety	__Many ads or pop-ups __Students information can be accessible to others __Teacher has not tested out the site __ Teacher can not monitor __Students do not have accounts	__Some ads or pop-ups __Students information can be accessible to others __Teacher may not be able to monitor the student's progress __Students do not have accounts	__No ads or pop-ups __Private access __Teacher tested __Constant monitoring __Students/Teachers have private accounts
Technology Requirements	__Teacher does not have access to accounts or unblocking sites __Laptop of devices are limited __Tools may be difficult to use and understand __Lacks one or more options such as text, video or audio __Students can use the tool on one device such as an iPad, phone, or computer __Most activities cost money after a limited time __ No storage space __Students can not have accounts	__Teacher access to “unblock” __Most students have access to devices __Teacher has an understanding of the tools __May have limited  text, video, and audio options __Tools can be used on most devices such as iPads, phones, and computers __ Free limited activities, accounts and etc. __ Some storage is in the cloud __Limited number of student accounts	__Teacher access to “unblock” __One-on-one laptop time __Teacher has a clear understanding of the tools __Has text, video, and audio options __Students can use the tool on multiple devices such as iPads, phones, and computers __ Free unlimited activities, accounts and etc. __ Storage is in the cloud __Unlimited student account (users)
Curriculum Connection	__Is not standards based __Not aligned with the Common Core __Only focused on one task __Not engaging __Unclear expectations __Few assessments __ Can not change settings to meet students needs __No reporting access	__Standards based __Some standards may be aligned with the Common Core __Some integrated tools __Interactive   __Expectations are established __ Post assessments __Some differentiation for individual students __Students can see the data	__Standards based __Aligned with the Common Core __Integrated when possible __Interactive and very engaging __Clear expectations __Pre and Post Assessments __Differentiated with flexibility to change settings to meet student needs __Reporting: Data is available to the student/teacher/parents