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?

Spaniel, is that your whole school approach to not use red dojos?

Yes, we agreed as staff that we didn't want to tell parents about any negative behaviours except face to face if necessary. we also felt that SOME parents only ever heard negatives about their children so having a positive praise system would be an improvement!
Another question - so parent doesn’t sign up is their child’s details still added? Yes, they are still part of the system, it's just that the parent doesn't receive information on points awarded, class messages etc

Oh and how does the app work along side esafety policies and other policies with regards to sharing info if all parents within the class can see everything about other people’s children?

Parents can only receive updates on their own child's points so aren't aware of how many dojos other children have received.

I actually quite like it. The kids love being able to save up and trade in points and their teachers are great at updating the feeds with photos of what the kids have been doing in school. It gives us something to build on when asking what they've done in class, as all too often when we ask the kids themselves we get the answer 'not much' or 'can't remember' so it helps to have something specific to ask about to open up conversation. I was sceptical of it at first and actually didn't sign up for the first 2 years the school used it but now that I have I can see it's actually quite a useful tool, not just in terms of incentivising good behaviour but also in keeping us informed about what goes on in school.

DDs music teacher (not school) uses it and it’s a gigantic PITA

It only works properly on my app not hers so then if she uses mine to reply to questions that are set she gets a as the teacher thinks I’m replying on her behalf

It’s just another thing that I have to get involved in, when I feel DD should be starting to manage stuff herself.

So potentially could be used to exclude children from class birthday parties etc?
Rather than little Johnny/Polly coming home with stories about little Lee/dee parents can see well they haven’t got as many points so it must be true

Nope. I don't support allowing parents to sign up but if they do, they can only see info pertaining to their own child.

I feel that your school’s approach is a far more positive way of using it Spanieleyes, I’m still not a huge fan though.

Communication definitely, everything else, no.

One of my sons school uses it. I like it. They can customise their monster. He gets a certificate and prize and you can see what they got their points for.

Dad teacher uses it to reward bad kids who behave for ten minutes, to make her favourites feel special, and to ignore the kids she doesn't like or who quietly get on with everything to the best of their ability without causing trouble. It's hidden from the head so she can get away with this in private.

That's not a problem with the system, that's a problem with the teacher!

I might be being a bit thick but why do children need an app to be motivated? And well behaved? Surely that should be taken for granted.

My DCs’ school use Seesaw for updates and so ok but there’s no option for collecting points and so on for good behaviour. To be honest, I think it’s pretty poor if the only way a teacher can get their class motivated is by using some kind of electronic tracking system.

My son’s class has it. Seems a complete waste of a teacher’s time.

I might be being a bit thick but why do children need an app to be motivated? And well behaved? Surely that should be taken for granted.

You’ve clearly never spent any time in schools.

It’s not an app as such, it’s effectively a big reward chart to celebrate good things the children do. Positive praise works wonders with reinforcing behaving well.

And don’t get me started on the constant certificates and a Star of the Week bollocks...

Most schools have some sort of reward system ( team points, house points, stickers, Golden Time) simply because there are SOME children who are not motivated or well behaved. It would be wonderful if all children were, teaching would be much easier!

I might be being a bit thick but why do children need an app to be motivated? And well behaved? Surely that should be taken for granted.

Have you been in a primary school in the last 10, 15 years?

Behaviour is rubbish. Levels of entitlement are way up. Parents have abdicated actual parenting and support their badly behaved, rude children.

I am shocked daily by they way the children talk to grown ups and act in class. Daily.

Not all of them, but a large percentage. Schools are not the same as they were when I was a student. I would have been in trouble at schol AND at home had I acted the way some of the children do.

But then a private behaviour contract is suitable rather than rewards system by default as the negative effects of these systems have been documented. Often age old meaningful praise, building a rapport etc are as effective and not as manipulative.

Have you ever been to a school, @Sprinklestar?

We also have a whole school policy not to use red dojos / remove points.

I’ve been in many schools. But then we’re not in the UK and not in the state sector, either. I’d be seriously worried that a school couldn’t manage behaviour without this.

I'm a big fan of DCs schools use of DoJo.

I feel it is more modern, eco friendly and time saving than other forms of communication.
We don't deduct points or use red DoJos (didn't even know either of these were possible!)
The whole school is split into different 'house' groups, so there are a mixture of different ages and abilities in each group, and each week the 'league table' of points is updated. It's fun to listen to each group cheering!

Our children are not 'hooked on' getting DoJos either, they won't tell us they have any until we ask. It's nice to be able to say 'I believe you listened well today, what did you listen to?' and get an insight into what they have done at school, rather than the standard 'can't remember'!

Also lovely to receive pictures from school trips, and a photo of a gummy mouth when a tooth falls out!

But then we’re not in the UK and not in the state sector, either.

That explains it then!

I'm a parent and I really like it. My son is always really excited to tell me how many dojos he has and it is an easy way for teachers to send a quick message about due homework, or anything else really! Give it a try!

I like the messaging side of things, it's really useful to get reminders about what's needed or upcoming events without having endless faffy bits of paper X2 for both kids in the school.
As a PTA member it's also a good way to advertise events and get feedback on things.
Points don't get put on my kids accounts for me to check, or displayed in class and they don't do the red points either.
I really dislike the 'like' facility on the pictures, it's so unnecessary.

I don’t like it. I’m not a fan of anything that relies so heavily on extrinsic motivation. Especially when so gimmicky.

Does it though, Spaniel? I grew up in the UK, not all that long ago, and there was never any need for bollocks like this. There were over 30 of us in my class at primary school, just one teacher, and people didn’t misbehave really. The odd idiot might get sent to the head every now and then and there were the usual few children with additional needs but no one needed an app that was visible to their parents. At most there was a star chart on the wall, IIRC. I’m all for positive praise but this is just ridiculous. Why does there always need to be a reward? Learning shouldn’t require a reward! The reward is in the knowledge gained, surely?

Sprinklestar, you're really showing your naivety.

Or maybe I expect higher standards, Valerrie. The race to the bottom that is UK state education is an embarrassment. The fact that children require constant praise just to sit still and behave in a classroom environment, basic requirements in most schools worldwide, is pathetic.