Clicks, Not Gold Stars

An article was published Monday, November 17, 2914 in the New York TImes, written by Natasha Singer.   Have you heard of ClassDojo?  This is a behavior-tracking app that lets teachers award points or subtract them based on a student's conduct.  I work in a school where a first grade teacher is using this system.  When a teacher awards or deducts points the program makes a sound.  The deductions make a sad sound that the entire class hears.  In addition to this, the parents can see their child's behavior in real time.

I was shocked to find according to this article that one out of three schools in the United States are using this application. Teachers say they like this software because it allows them to quickly record individual class behavior, whole class behavior, and communicate to the parents on how 'their student' is doing.

Teachers can use this two ways.  They can display all student's points or use the system in a private mode.  One teacher said he uses multiple points for good behavior and subtracts very few points for off task behavior.

Problems with this app is having all parents agree in writing to the use of it in the classroom.  One school is concerned about a student feeling publicly shamed.  Some principals do not want the data displayed publicly.

Overall from the use I have seen in the classroom, it is a positive 'sound' that makes the class strive to improve their behavior.  They clap to encourage a classmate.  They fix their behavior when off task and the sad sound is heard.

Please send your feedback if you have seen its use in class or monitor your child's progress in the classroom.