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Review by Patricia Monticello Kievlan, Common Sense Education | Updated October 2014

ClassDojo Messenger

Name: ClassDojo Messenger
Item: ClassDojo Messenger
Rating: 4
Author: Patricia Monticello Kievlan

Connect with kids and parents using quick, easy text or image updates

Subjects & skills

Grades This grade range is based on learning appropriateness and doesn't take into account privacy. It's determined by Common Sense Education, not the product's publisher.

K–12

Great for:

Common Sense says (See details)

Teachers say (1 Review)

Privacy rating (How we rate)

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5 images

Teachers can send quick messages to kids and parents.

Set up classes to send messages to many families at once.

Messages appear in simple text-message format.

Lengthy FAQ section gives helpful user guidance.

Pros: Simple interface lets teachers easily send solo updates or group messages.

Cons: Might not be any more convenient than text or email for parents and students not used to the ClassDojo system.

Bottom Line: Enables speedy, convenient communication with students and parents.

How Can I Teach with This Tool?

Use back-to-school night to get parents set up and to provide an outline of how you'll use this app during the year. Take pictures of kids making presentations, showing their work, or otherwise participating in class, then send a quick image to parents with an update. Make announcements to all students and parents about upcoming assessments or class events. Send out important info or documents (like a field trip permission slip) to entire classes of students and their parents.

What Is It?

ClassDojo Messenger lets teachers communicate instantly with students and their parents. Teachers set up classes, add their students' names, and then add the email addresses for students' parents. Parents receive an email invite to create a free account on the ClassDojo website that will allow them to connect with the teacher. After this one-time setup process, teachers, students, and parents can easily log into their accounts to send and receive messages. Teachers can choose to send class-wide message blasts with text or images to parents and/or students, or they can send messages to individual students or parents.

Is It Good for Learning?

Used strategically, this could be a great tool for warm, speedy communication with students and parents, but the same pitfalls that plague email and text messages apply here, so teachers should be mindful of their language and tone as they dash off quick updates to students and parents. Setting expectations early and often will be critical for any teacher who uses this app to communicate.

ClassDojo Messenger might be especially effective for classes already using the ClassDojo learning management system. Getting parents and kids set up on the system for the first time can be a little tedious, and messages are only accessible via a ClassDojo login. If kids and parents aren't already used to logging into that system, this may not be any more convenient or reliable than email communication: Kids who tend not to check their email or texts might also miss messages from this messaging source.

Rating Details

Overall Rating

Engagement Would it motivate students and hold their interest? Is it visually appealing? Would it inspire teachers to try something new or change their instruction?

Breezy interface and easy setup create a low-stress way to keep in touch.

Pedagogy Does the tool help teachers promote a more student-centered experience? Will students gain conceptual understanding or think critically? Does it deepen teachers’ pedagogical thinking?

The app won't teach anything on its own, but teachers could use it to motivate kids and build strong family partnerships.

Support Can students and teachers get assistance when they need it? Is it created with people of different abilities and backgrounds in mind? Is learning reinforced and extended beyond the digital experience?

A detailed in-app FAQ page and a warm, welcoming developer site set a supportive, friendly tone.

Common Sense Reviewer

Patricia Monticello Kievlan Foundation/nonprofit member

About our ratings and privacy evaluation.

Teacher Reviews

Featured review by
Jeremy B. , Classroom teacher

Classroom teacher

Thomas M. Ryan Intermediate School
Richland, United States

Great way to keep parents up-to-date and informed

ClassDojo Messenger is easy to use and parents appreciate the quick check -ins and updates. I like the interface, ease of use, and 2 way communication. This is a tool that lets parents know the good that is happening in the classroom and keeps students aware that parents and teachers are on the same page and communicate well.

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