Elizabeth Harris Bloomz Evaluation

Tool: Bloomz

Features: Users can post updates, share a calendar, instant chat, signups, emergency alerts, share photos, while keeping track of behavior and attendance. Parents can be invited to view the page and become a member by the teacher. The teacher can then update the page or message parents. This is a tool made directly for educators.

Classroom Use: Much like a digital newsletter, this tool could be used to communicate information and the goings on of a classroom. Parents would also be able to chat or comment back to the teacher.

Rubric Ranking:

EDU 568 Communication Tool Rubric Group 4
	4	3	2	1
Purpose	I can communicate with a global audience.	I can communicate with a select audience.	I can give information to a global audience but can not receive feedback.	I can give information to a select audience.	3
Usability and Navigation	I can easily navigate the tool the tool is very intuitive.	With a little practice the tool is easy to navigate.	The tool can be used and navigated with assistance.	Very hard to use even with practice.	3
Appropriateness	The communication tool is appropriate for all 5 age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	The communication tool is appropriate for 4 of the age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	The communication tool is appropriate for 3 of the age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	The communication tool is appropriate for 1-2 of the age levels included: Early Elementary, Upper Elementary, Middle School, High School and Adult Learners	4
Help/Support	Support is readily available to guide you through using the tool.	Support can be found if searched for, but is not instantaneous.	Support is limited.	There is no support.	3
Information Sharing	The tool allows users to link to other sites such as Facebook, Twitter & Blogs and compresses URLs into shortened links (bitly).	The tool allows users to link to other sites such as Facebook, Twitter & Blogs.	The tool only allows limited links to other sites.	The tool does not allow linking to other sites.	4
Saftey/Monitoring	Allows monitoring & editing by teacher/gatekeeper.	Allows teacher monitoring but limited editing.	Allows teacher monitoring but no editing capabilities.	No ability for teacher to monitor or edit.	4
Cost	Unlimited free accounts for students, staff & parents. Unlimited cloud storage.	Some options are free or cost is minimal.	Minimal fee for all accounts.	Annual fee.	4
Design	The communication tool meets all of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing.	The communication tool meets 3 of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing.	The communication tool meets 2 of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing..	The communication tool meets 1 or none of the criteria listed: It is neat and organized, simple and not overstuffed,the background does not interfere with the text, and the layout is visually appealing.	4
Accessability	I can access the tool from any device, does not require an application, and fast instant notification of communication.	I can access the tool from most common devices, may require an application to be downloard and receive notifications if the application is open.	I can access the tool from only one kind of device, application is required to be downloaded, and only can receive notifications if application is open and refreshed.	I can access the tool form only one kind of device and it is glitchy. It requires an application to be downloaded, no notifications or inconsistent.	4
				Total: 33/36