Edmodo has a similar set up as Facebook. I think that makes this site a big plus, because students are use to the layout. They will automatically feel familiar with the site. Emodo can be used for sharing ideas, discussions, creating polls, sharing videos between the teachers and students in real time. Parents can also gain access to see the progress their student is making and the grades. This is a secure site that can only be accessed through a password to those who are invited to participate. Students receive notifications when a teacher adds a new assignment, grade or comment.
Unfortunately, if a student doesn't have access to a computer at home, using the site might not even be a possibility. They wouldn't be able to contribute to discussions or post their assignments, etc. through the site.
Collaborize has many pros as well. It will save on printing, increase student participation, can reduce grading time, creates detailed participation reports. Using this site can engage all students and give the shy student a chance to participate when in a classroom setting they may be reluctant to say anything. Every student will have a voice. The students can learn from each other and the teacher can check the students understanding of the material through their discussions. Using Collaborize, creates unlimited classroom time.
Unfortunately the functionality is limited to a supplement to the real classroom and only provides the ability for short discussions.
Course Sites with engage students in learning, incorporates multimedia into the classroom, allows the teacher to assess and manage the grades. Course Sites allows the teacher to communicate with students and encourage collaboration. As long as the internet is available to the student, the course is available 24/7.
Course Sites is designed for all ages K through senior citizens. It can be used for lectures, social learning and also employee training.
It seems that Course Sites is the most complicated to set up and isn't as user friendly. Again it is limited by the fact that a student has to have a computer and the internet at home.
All of these sites can be beneficial for the teacher, students and parents. I think it depends on the age of the students and the topic as to which site would be best to use.
