Communication Tool Evaluation Task: Edmondo

Edmondo

www.edmodo.com

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				Can be used with Windows devices, online, IOS devices and Android
Cost				Free
Marketing				While exploring the tool I have not come across any advertising.
User Safety and Privacy
COPPA Compliance				To use with students under 13 a permission slip must be signed by parents.  FERPA compliant as well.
Controlled Content Sharing				Users need a pass code to join group and see content
Content Monitoring				Teacher can turn on setting that notifies them when someone comment and can approve the comment.  Posts can also be edited by the teacher.
Appropriate Content				The site monitors for inappropriate content
User-Friendliness – Students
Use of Multimedia				Allows users to upload attachments from their computers
Navigation				Easy to navigate
Saving and Revision History				Not seeing automatic saving or revision history
User-Friendliness - Teachers
Classroom- Level Accounts				Specific Groups can be created for each of the teacher’s classes, teachers can see and control who is in each group.
Setup				Relatively simple to set up, students join by using the code that the teacher shares with them.
Account Creation				Teacher can set up and invite parents and students into different groups
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:

and assessments, can send individual notes to students

 Features that it has:

• ·         Can be used to give assignments
• ·         Can be used to give assessments
• ·         Teachers can send individual notes to students
• ·         Can specify which class group to make a post to
• ·         Can Poll Students

 How it could be used in the classroom:

I would use it to continue discussion with older students that were started in the classroom.  I would also use it to remind students of homework assignments and projects that were going to be due soon.  The “Poll” feature to let students help decide some of the large group class discussion topics.