Tech+Tools+post+1


 * Name:** Julie Terry


 * What:** Class Dojo- A behavior management tool


 * Website**: [| http://classdojo.com]

**Grade Level/Content area:** This could work for all content areas but I would recommend this tool for use in elementary schools or with younger middle schoolers.

Class Dojo is a free behavior management software program that you can sign up for using your school email. The basic idea behind it is that teachers can monitor behaviors of their classes and award those behaviors that are productive to the learning environment and "punish" those that are not. Teachers can set up the behaviors that they want to monitor and focus on. There is a generic menu to pick from as well as the option to customize. Students are assigned an avatar and it can be displayed with their name. Throughout the day, teachers can give out points and take away points depending on behaviors. The running total of points is displayed with the avatar. There are also several reporting options available. Teachers can print out individual reports or class reports. Parent emails can also be sent to communicate behavior issues. Points can be reset whenever the instructor decides to start over. Parents and students can also get a code to log in at home to view their reports.
 * Abstract: **

I heard about this website from a colleuge that I work with. My current group of 4th graders are quite "social" and have difficulties staying on task for extended periods of time. I wanted to give this a try and as soon as I did, I fell in love! I have only been using this for a few months (after spring break) so I have not really tried out many of the fancier functions. I signed up and inputed my class list. The students were really excited to see their avatars and even change them to ones they liked better. (The computer randomly assigns them and for some reason, the boys did not like having a pink furry monster thing as their avatar. Go figure!) I decided to use the generic behaviors that were in the menu. These are things like working quietly, helping a friend, hard work, making a good choice, etc... for the positive rewards. Negative awards include things like out of seat, disruption, disrespect, late, no homework, etc.. Whenever I assign rewards the kids name comes up and also the reason for the points given or taken away. It also makes a noise depending on what type of award you gave. Currently, the student with the most points at the end of the week gets extra "Terry Tickets" that can be used in our class store.
 * Personal Experience:**

A few negatives to this website is that if you want your students to see the point totals at all times, you have to have a projector linked to your computer screen. Also, you obviously need to stay on the website. This is hard for me because I use my computer for so many things. I found that it is a lot of fun to randomly give awards but not have the screen projected so the kids can see it. At the end of the day I will put up the point totals so the kids can see. Another issue is that because it is computer based, if I want to give points, I need to be able to access my computer. That requires me to walk over to the desk and pull up the page. It would be easier if I had an iPad or something portable where I can award points even out of my room. Other than those issues, I love the site and definitely plan on continuing my use of it!