Edmodo: It's Just Like Facebook But Safer!

From the Edmodo site: Edmodo is designed to get students excited about learning in a familiar environment. On Edmodo, teachers can continue classroom discussions online, give polls to check for student understanding, and award badges to individual students based on performance or behavior. 

The neat thing about Edmodo is that it is set up in the style of facebook so students are using a format that they are familiar with. Unlike facebook Edmodo does not allow the students to message one another. If they do message it is something that goes to the whole group or to the teacher. Posts can be moderated.

From the Edmodo site:  On Edmodo, teachers are at the center of a powerful network that connects them to students, administrators, parents, and publishers. This network surfaces the world's best resources and tools, providing the building blocks of a high quality education. 

There is a vast community of teachers and administrators who are able to ask and answer questions in real time. This makes problem solving so much easier. It is also nice to know that the problems you may be having in your classroom, school or district are not unique to you. 

From the Edmodo site:  Edmodo makes it simple to track student progress. All grades and badges assigned or awarded through Edmodo are stored and easily accessible. Teachers can get the pulse of their classrooms through student reactions to quizzes, assignments, and discussion posts that capture understanding, confusion, or frustration. 

Edmodo makes it easy to set up lessons especially if you are crunched for time! You do all the prep work prior to the class and then the students can jump on the computers and get going without any down time. This is also a great resource for those days you have to be out. No worry that the sub won't understand what to do. The kids log into Edmodo and there is everything they need for the day.
I also love the feedback and polling option. I try to ask the kids what they are interested in so that I can craft lessons that are both the required lessons and relevant to what they want to learn.

Don't be afraid of Edmodo their help section is awesome! If you are lost you can really find what you need. Edmodo. I admit that I am still learning about Edmodo but love it so far and as I discover new and nifty things I will post again.