Edmodo: A self-regulation learning tool for the 21st century student

As the push towards digital literacy continues, what tool can a 21st century educator use to encourage self-regulation in the modern classroom? Edmodo is “an internet based learning management system”, that provides access to a “virtual classroom that is moderated by an instructor” (Charoenwet & Christensen, 2016). As a user of Edmodo, and a masters student learning about self-regulated learning at Queen's University, I present my thoughts on the effectiveness of this online tool and the teaching of self-regulation in the classroom:

1) If used in conjunction with the teacher explicitly modelling strategies for self-regulation, then Edmodo is an effective tool. Having access to a course’s content from anywhere and anytime provides the student with the option to engage in their lessons when they are in a frame of mind that is conductive to learning. Part of self-regulation is the ability to create an environment that supports the act of learning and every individual has his or her own optimal safe space. Edmodo provides this freedom outside of the classroom.

2) Self-Regulation and Inquiry based learning are at the center of current learning theories. Edmodo’s ideal recognizes the benefit of collaboration and learning through social interaction and exploration. Students are able to collaborate on this online platform and, in turn, share their insights into the material in online group settings. The act of collaboration allows the student to explore different learning styles and this process alone encourages growth in the performance phase of SRL as Zimmerman outlines in his article Becoming a Self-Regulated Learner (2002). The instructor is able to view all aspects of this social exchange, and can intervene at any point in the process ensuring the use of SRL strategies are upheld.

3) Edmodo offers self-regulation tools within its program that are conducive to self-regulated learning and they include: schedulers in order to keep on track with time-related goals, evaluation functions whereby students can submit self-reflections to their instructor on their progress (and the instructor can provide individual feedback), the ability to work in optimal learning environments through its accessibility, among others.

4) In general, with the exponential growth of social networking, Edmodo combines the principals of learning and education with the accessibility of social interaction in its most popular form; online and anytime. Students are then encouraged to practice their self-regulation as they use this online platform to engage in their learning.

#selfregulatedlearning #modernclassroom #21stcenturylearning

References:

Charoenwet, S., & Christensen, Ami., (2016). The Effect of Edmodo Learning Network on Students’ Perception, Self-Regulated Learning Behaviors and Learning Performance. Proceedings of The 10th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics (IMSCI 2016). Retrieved from http://www.iiis.org/CDs2016/CD2016Summer/papers/EA948HG.pdf

Zimmerman. B. J. (2002). Becoming a self-regulated learner: An overview. Theory into Practice, 41, 64-70.

Social Networking and the Modern Classroom