Google Drive

What is Google Drive?
Google Drive is a free file storage system created by Google. Google Drive saves various files to the cloud so you access them from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can store documents, images, or videos.  The program makes it easy to transfer files from one device to another without having to email them to yourself.  It also lets you share documents with others and will make sure your files are safe if your computer stops working.

How to use Google Drive
To start using Google Drive you will first need to create a Gmail account if you do not already have one.  To do this simply google Gmail and click on “sign up”. From there, you will pick a username and password to access your free account. Once you have your account, you can access all of the Google apps, such as Google Drive, by clicking on the icon that looks like a box of little squares in the upper right hand corner. When clicking this button you will be given a drop down menu of multpile apps that you can access with your account. The Google Drive app is in the last column third down and looks like a green, yellow, blue triangle. Clicking on the icon will take you to your Google Drive homepage. You are then able see your drive. On your homepage your most recently viewed files will be shown.  To see files shared with you navigate to the left side of the page and click "shared with me".  To create a new file click the drop down arrow beside of "My Drive" and a list of options will be given to you.

Google Drive in the Classroom
For teachers, it can be hard to keep all your files in one place between working on your school laptop and your personal one.  By using Google Drive you will always have instant access to your files no matter what computer you are on.  Students can also turn in their online work with you via Google Drive, which limits paper use.  Students working in group projects can use Google Drive to share their presentations, so they can collaborate outside of the classroom.  Another cool feature Google Drive offers is Google Forms.  Teachers can use Google Forms in the classroom to survey the classes confidence level on a topic, or to allow them to give feedback on teaching styles.  Google Forms can be anonymous or not.

Advantages of Google Drive
One of the biggest advantages of Google Drive is that it is free to use.  Google Drive is also available for use on all devices, Microsoft Windows, Android, or Mac.  With Google Drive being so universal and free everyone can have access to this program. Google Drive also makes sharing files with others simple and easy to do. Sharing your files with others can allow people to give you feedback on your work and leave comments if you turn that feature on.  This allows people to collaborate together from anywhere.

Disadvantages of Google Drive
Some disadvantages of Google Drive is that you must have internet connection in order to see real time updates or save your work.  You can also only upload files no larger than 5 TB.  Another disadvantage for some people is that once you share a file with someone it is not longer private.  The person you shared your file with can share it with whoever they want and there is nothing you can do to change that.

Personal Experiences with Google Drive
I personally have been using Google Drive since high school because every student had a Chromebook.  All of the teachers had a Google Classroom page where they posted announcements and assignments and we would turn in our work with Google Drive.  Whenever I was in a group project we would work on it together by sharing the presentation via Google Drive.  Now that I am in college I still participate in group projects by using Google Drive.  This program makes collaboration and sharing easy to do.  Outside of school I have used Google Drive to share large picture files from formals or proms.  Sharing large picture files through Google Drive is easier than trying to email or text the photos.  I would highly recommend this program to anyone.

References
Ciccarelli, D. (2019, January 1). Google Drive Review: Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.goskills.com/Office-Productivity/Articles/Google-Drive-features-review

Create your Google Account. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp

Gildred, J., Andita, Ebbers, L., Daniel, Boss, F., J., … Canelo Forum. (2018, July 11). What Is Google Drive and How Does it Work? A 2020 Step-by-Step Guide. Retrieved from https://www.cloudwards.net/how-does-google-drive-work/

Hoong, A. L. (2019, December 12). Advantages and Disadvantages of Google Drive: Blogging WP. Retrieved from https://www.bloggingwp.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-google-drive/

Class Dojo

What is Class Dojo?

Class Dojo is an educational communication app that brings the school and home together and enforces positive behavior. Teachers can give students "Dojo Points" based on their classroom behavior which is intended to increase appropriate behavior. Many people think the main purpose of Class Dojo is to just manage behavior.  However, since the app launched in 2011 Class Dojo has also been a communication tool for teachers to share with families what is being learned in the classroom through photos and videos. Their mission is to connect teachers and families so that students get the support they need outside of the classroom to be successful. The app is free to download on any iOS or Android device or it can be used on the computer.

How to use Class Dojo in the Classroom
To start using Class Dojo a teacher would need to set up their classroom page. Signing up is simple and easy you just have to give your school email and your name.  Once you do that you can access your homepage which looks similar to a Facebook feed.  On this page, you can post comments and pictures to keep parents updated about what is happening daily in the classroom.  Class Dojo does not allow anyone to access your classroom page.  You have to be invited to join the class. The teacher should click the button that says "connect parents" and manually enter a phone number or email to send an invitation to join the page to each parent. Once parents can see the class page they can see any reminders you post, class updates, or receive public or private messages.  As the teacher, you also have to manually enter in the names of all your students to create their avatar.  The avatar is where you take or give points for behavior.  Class Dojo automatically gives you behaviors you can add or take away points for like helping others or not having homework.  However, you can also add your own behaviors you would like to award points for if it is not already listed. Class Dojo is an effective tool for keeping track of student behavior data.  This will help when you need data to support behavior strategies or IEP documents.  Lastly, Class Dojo can be used to track attendance.  Teachers can take attendance themselves or have students touch their avatar on a Smart Board when entering the class as part of the morning routine.

Advantages of Class Dojo
Many teachers agree that Class Dojo makes communicating with parents easy.  By sharing activities students did in class that day parents feel like they are part of their child's education.  Also, by being able to send parents quick reminders about forms or field trip money due will be able to create a community feel. Teachers also agree that signing up for class Dojo and setting up their page is quick. Any teacher with any level of technology background can work Class Dojo.

Disadvantages of Class Dojo
A disadvantage to using Class Dojo could be if you were a teacher in a Title 1 school if you knew parents did not have access to technological devices or frequent internet connect to be able to check the website.  If most of the parents in the class do not have consistent access to your Class Dojo page it might be the wrong tool for you to use.  Some teachers feel another disadvantage of Class Dojo is the behavior shame it gives students.  If you display the avatars on a Smart Board students can see who has how many points and when you take points away from a student.  This is essentially publically calling out that student for their behavior and can be psychologically damaging. Another disadvantage teachers see with Class Dojo is it creating extrinsic motivation.  If students are only behaving to get "Dojo Point" they are extrinsically motivated.  If you take that motivation away because the student is now in an older grade that does not use Class Dojo the student might not behave appropriately because they were not taught to do so intrinsically.

Personal Experience with Class Dojo
I personally have never used Class Dojo.  However, during my time in college I have being in multiple elementary school classes that do use it.  I have witnessed students excitement when they are awarded "Dojo Points" and see first hand how it motivates students to behave appropriately.  Students enjoy getting to create their own avatar and watch it grow as they earn points. I have never seen any of the negative problems occur while observing classes.  With that being said, if I were to use Class Dojo in my future classroom I would be cautious of letting students know who points were being taken from. I also would want to award less points as the year went on so students would have to display the appropriate behavior more to earn the same number of points.

References 
Buchanan, S. (2013, November 28). An apprehensive teacher's guide to... ClassDojo. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/nov/28/teacher-guide-classdojo-behaviour-management

ClassDojo. (n.d.). About us. Retrieved from https://www.classdojo.com/about/
ClassDojo - Product Reviews. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.edsurge.com/product-reviews/classdojo