To be reluctant to set up a ClassDojo account?

[rockshandy]

They are trialling this app in DD2's class and we have been asked to set up an account. I really don't know much about it and I am looking into it now. But there is just something about it that unsettles me that I can't quite put my finger on.

Has anyone any experience of using this app?

My DD's school uses Class Dojo and I like it. DD is autistic but masks in school so to be able to directly message her teacher (rather than rely on the school receptionist) to say 'not having a good day today' is reassuring. I don't expect an instant reply, but I will always have a reply at some point in the day. Which is lovely. The children are bussed in so there is little face to face contact with the teachers. It's a very small school though, I agree that teachers of a class of 30+ children would need more time in the day to make full use of the app!

I think expecting teachers to reply to instant messages from parents is a joke, and I would be looking for another job. I'd either have to do it whilst teaching (not good) or while on my breaks (worse) or, as mentioned by a PP, outside of school hours (not happening). It's a step too far for me. I'm not at the beck and call of parents.

What happens if a parent sends an email?

My kid is in wraparound care 4 day’s a week so a lot of communication with his teacher is done through his contact book. Is that in the same unacceptable category?

Struggling to see the workload difference between an IM, an email and a written note, tbh. Except now the TA has to check all the contact books to see if a parent has left a note, whereas I assume an IM system would alert them.

I realise that no one is going to be coming to my house and forcing me to sign up but the note home doesn't feel optional. And it specifies that they will be using the messaging element.

I am going to do nothing and see if they chase it up/persist.

I am going to do nothing and see if they chase it up/persist.

Oh don’t do that. You’ll get far more annoying to the teacher than going in and having a grown up conversation about your reservations.

Get = be above!

We have it at our school. Mine our juniors so they don't use it for points. My sons teachers use it to show us what they are doing in class. This has been great because my boys never tell me anything.

Ive found the the one to one messaging really handy, especially when my oldest was being bullied so I could tell the teacher what my son was saying to me at home. He could then call me at his convenience.

I have nothing but positive experiences of it. I remember when my sons started reception when all we had was a weekly newsletter.

We have it for our foster child. It's better than charts on a wall - which can induce shame and therefore subsequently worse behaviour especially in children with attachment disorder. Class dojo helps us to understand our child's behaviour throughout the day so that we can maintain a consistent approach.

Maybe I need to set up an account to speak to the teacher about my reservations about setting up an account.

Of course you don’t. Just speak to her.

What happens if a parent sends an email?My kid is in wraparound care 4 day’s a week so a lot of communication with his teacher is done through his contact book. Is that in the same unacceptable category? Struggling to see the workload difference between an IM, an email and a written note, tbh. Except now the TA has to check all the contact books to see if a parent has left a note, whereas I assume an IM system would alert them.

For me, I don't like the facebook esque nature of instant messaging. I think we have been conditioned to expect immediate replies to instant messages, whereas with email there's more of an understanding that replies will happen when the teacher gets a moment. I know of a few schools who've had this issue with dojo. From what teachers there told me parents were messaging at all times with very small queries, which before they'd have solved by asking other parents in their whatsapp groups (which parents set up themselves here).

I also don't like contact books unless they're done for a particular reason (sn, settling in etc). Very helpful in the right circumstances but not needed for all.

Oh god, another way of making DD feel like a failure... home is home and school is school. As with many children with invisible special needs, she needs home to be built around her strengths, given school focus on her difficulties.

Our school uses it and I love it as a TA and a parent.

Easier to keep in touch with parents. Children have instant feedback re behaviour. We can pop pictures up quickly and easily for parents to see what they've been working on. Easy to message parents and v.v.

Game changer. My only fear is that if Class Dojo starts charging schools for its use, many schools will struggle to afford it. Right now it's free.

I work in a school and we have used Dojo for sharing newsletters and messages for several years - always with a 100% take up by parents.

This year one family have chosen not to sign up so it has doubled workload for teachers/admin staff as everything shared on dojo (e.g. weekly newsletters/reminders ) has to be shared on a paper copy for one family.

It has actually meant that a system that was working brilliantly is now being avoided by some staff leading to feedback from other parents that they aren't as well informed as they were before

When I say doubled workload, obviously I mean in relationship to home/shool communication

It is an excellent resource OP

If it’s free how are the company providing it?
In app ads, selling data etc?
What type of security does the app use?

Those are the questions I would be asking beciase let’s face it, how many companies operate for nothing? They have overheads that require payment

Were any of you teachers advised to use such a system as a default while in teacher training? We were advised against- Ireland, mid 00s, because of it encouraging extrinsic motivation (when there is geverally no need and intrinsic motivation so much better for the child). I wonder do teachers consider these things or is it just something that 'works'? Is it public? I.e. do children know when others have been awarded points? Can't imagine how a teacher has time to keep a fair track of it all during the school day. Is it used for all ages? I'd be particularly against it in junior classes.

I prefer to set high expectations, have logical consequences when needed and build a good rapport with my class. I've taught in v disadvantaged schools in Dublin by the way so no precious snowflake but I think we owe our pupils more than this obsession with behaviour. A private behaviour contract with a challenging child, yes, short term when needed. A reward for work well done but not this constant carrot.

I'd be particularly disappointed that they get points for helpfulness.. this type of extrinsic reward for such kindness is proven to lessen the natural response to be kind and instead focuses the child on their own gain.

I know plenty will eyeroll and say I'm over thinking it but to me there's just no need, generally.

Do you think that teachers who use dojo don't "set high expectations, have logical consequences when needed and build a good rapport with their class"?

Our school has no social media presence at all, and some parents don’t actually do drops and pick ups. Using an app is a handy way of moving with the times and increasing parent engagement. We don’t use dojo, but we use an app and it’s handy. I get updates from my son’s 1:1, updates from two different class teachers, and schoolside messages come through as well.

If you don’t want to use it, don’t use it. Just don’t be pissed off if your child is sad that you’re not interested in their progress.

I was just referring to my approach spanieleyes, as a non dojo user. I know of a teacher in ds ' school who seems to rely completely on extrinsic reward/punishment which comes across as v unaware, lazy teaching. I am not saying all dojo users are like him NB! But I just wonder - was it advised as a strategy and is it necessary ? Are teachers considering the negatives of it?

Well, that sums it up. If you don't use the app you are not interested in your child's progress

As opposed to interested in your child's progress but not in a simplistic, can conform to the teacher's needs - or the way schools and teachers are judged - way

It is not necessary, but it is useful-for teachers, for parents and for children.

Also with the instant messaging thing. Are teachers/tas expected to answer instantly? What about the helicopter parents who want that instant reply? At least with email you can say at the start of the year I expect to reply to emails within 48 hours, whereas with instant this goes out of the window.

Not all parents have constant data for the whole month so will be still relying on home/school books

I really like it. It is used as an incentive/reward system in our school.

In my DD1’s class I can see what points she has accumulated but the teacher is wonderful at updating what the class are doing and includes lots of lovely photos. It’s really nice to see. I love the fact I can drop the teacher a quick note. I don’t ever expect her to answer outside of work/on her break but it’s nice to be able to inform her of something that is relevant to DD.

DD2’s class isn’t really utilised as much because they have had staffing issues and she has largely been taught by a supply teacher. I hope this changes as it is really nice to see an insight into their school lives