Tools: Class Dojo

ClassDojo

ClassDojo is a simple web based tool that at its core helps instructors track good and bad behaviors of their students.

This tool gives instructors a transparent way to reward students for specific behaviors. Each behavior can be weighted with a certain amount of points; for example, an instructor might reward helpful behavior with two points and speaking out of turn with negative one point. All these behaviors and their values are customizable at the instructor’s behest.

Below are two images of possible rewarded and negative behaviors.

Every single reward or demerit is logged and can be analyzed in different ways. An instructor could look at the entire class and see what behaviors are prevalent or even look at an individual student’s behavior overtime. Alongside the data an instructor can add comments for more clarity.

To the right there is an example of a weekly report from a single class. This data can be exported to spreadsheets, printed, or viewed as is.

ClassDojo also has an attendance tracking feature alongside its classroom reports.

ClassDojo’s big strength lies in how easily students and parents can connect to the class. The instructor can invite students to the session. This allows students to track their own progress, customize their avatars, and privately communicate with the instructor through ClassDojo. Parents who are invited to the class can track their child through weekly reports and a line of instant messaging is opened between instructor and parent. Parents and students can be invited through email or through printed codes.

Using ClassDojo is geared for a very user friendly experience with its straight forward user-interface, easily accessible metrics, and simple customization options. This makes it easier for instructors to run a class, students to participate in a class, and for parents to track their child.

TPACK

ClassDojo fits into a narrow part of the TPACK framework. It doesn’t provide much in terms of pure content, technological content, or pure pedagogy. However, technological pedagogical knowledge, TPK, is something ClassDojo does provide. The technology makes simplifies traditional positive reinforcement techniques while providing a different avenue for parents and teachers to contact each other. Teachers aren’t just educating a single subject, they’re teaching students on how to be better people. By tracking their good behaviors and noticing their negative behaviors, students can self-reflect and eventually self-improve. A line of private communication between parents and teachers, and students and teachers allow the teacher to approach individuals easier. Accommodations and adjustments can be made for specific students with parental advisement.

Heads-Up

• It is currently free and the proprietors promise it will stay free in its current form. A potential paid premium service may exist in the future, but it will not remove existing features from the free version.

• Privacy is one of the main concerns of ClassDojo and they have worked to alleviate any privacy worries users may have. They have promised not to sell information to third parties. Information access is solely in the hands of the instructor who can then delegate access to students and parents. Information is stored for only one year unless flagged otherwise by the instructor. Their privacy policy can be found on their website.

• Multiple ways to access; there is an iOS app, an Android app, and it is also easily accessible through popular browsers

• Many reviews question the possible extrinsic nature of the rewards and its effects on student motivation. Proper implementation of a point system can be tricky and should not always be considered. Luckily, ClassDojo can give 0 values on behaviors and just track and not award points.

• The user interface, artwork, and general feedback is geared towards younger children. Consider avoiding for older students.