Class Dojo

Last week I read about Class Dojo on a couple of different blogs and I was interested in trying it out.  If you haven't heard of it yet, you have to check it out.  Class Dojo is an online behavior management system.  The great part is kids can earn positive points for good behavior.  I don't know about you, but I feel like sometimes my sweet, well-behaved students sometimes get overlooked when I'm dealing with the negative behaviors.  Well, not anymore!  

This is a screen shot from yesterday.  All students started with the little round polka dot guy and the students with the highest points at the end of each day got to choose a new avatar.  Click here to go to Class Dojo.

I headed over to the Class Dojo website and started playing around with it on Wednesday night.  I set up a my class and I also set up a class for my RtI small group. I use my SmartBoard to show the students their points several times a day.  They begged me to show points all day.  The really cool thing is you can hear a little *ding* every time a point is given.  If you leave the Class Dojo window minimized while doing other things on the SmartBoard, students can hear points that are given (or taken away- it's a different sound) while working.  


I decided that I would give Class Dojo a trial run for the last 20 days of school so that I can decide if I want to use it next year.  So far, I'm loving it.  I just use either the iPad or my iPhone to give points to students.  I like the iPad because I can see all students on the same screen, so I have been using it in the classroom most of the time.  If we go outside for recess, I tell the students I'm taking my phone so that I can give points.  (I always tell them I'm taking it to GIVE points, so hopefully this will focus on encouraging good behavior).  I also told our superintendent what I'm doing so that if she sees me on my phone in the hallway she won't think I'm texting.  


The reports from Class Dojo are also very good.  You can do an overall classroom report.  I actually pulled this up and showed my students at the end of the day.  (What a great little lesson on graphs, huh?)  An even cooler feature, is the email reports tab.  If parents give you an email address you can automatically email them the daily (or weekly) report.  I love being able to share information so easily.  


I also like the fact that I can see if we are meeting our 85% goal for good behavior (school-wide goal).  We just barely made it today, but I did have one student that had a tough day.  

I'm liking Class Dojo so far, I hope it continues to be a good motivator for students.  I think if I do use it next year, I will come up with a list of rewards students can earn at certain point levels.  You can reset students points at anytime you want to.  I can't decide if I want to do daily or weekly points.  Have you tried it yet?  If not, you should check it out!Pin It