New Media & New Literacies

  Case Study 1: ClassDojo Overview: ClassDojo is a communication tool used in K-12 education to foster engagement between teachers, students, and parents. It allows teachers to share updates, classroom activities, announcements, and student progress through a user-friendly interface. The platform is designed to support social-emotional learning (SEL), offering features for students to track their behavior, achievements, and growth.   User Engagement: Students: Students engage with ClassDojo primarily by receiving feedback on their behavior and activities through a points-based system. They can showcase their achievements through their digital portfolios, allowing them to take ownership of their learning and reflect on their progress. Teachers: Teachers use ClassDojo to communicate classroom expectations, share lesson updates, and track student behavior. Teachers can also engage students by assigning “Dojo points” for positive actions like cooperation, participation, and...

        When examining topics related to new media, new literacies, and participatory culture there are many issues that piqued my interest. I typically look for issues that connect with my life either personal or professional. Both have children, education, and technology heavily involved. Not only have I cared for children for nearly 20 years and worked in the education field for 12 of them, but I am also a mother, so topics surrounding children are even more relatable and important to me. When researching these subjects I found many sources about social media and children. While social media platforms offer educational and social benefits, they pose significant risks to children's mental health, development, and online safety, requiring proactive measures from parents, educators, and policymakers to mitigate these risks and ensure a balanced, healthy digital experience.  Delving into the topic of children and social media has several practical applica...