ClassDojo is an online classroom-management platform that helps teachers record and track their students’ behaviour in real time while also giving students instant feedback. This happens publicly through the use of a visual tracker, often displayed to the class on a screen or interactive whiteboard. Teachers can keep some information private, depending on how they choose to set things up. The platform is designed to help individual students, as well as entire classes, identify areas for improved behaviour and set related goals.

Why use ClassDojo?

Teachers use Class Dojo to promote positive behaviours in their classroom and to strengthen lines of communication between school and home. This is done primarily through Class Dojo’s ‘Dojo Point’ system and messaging system that connects teachers and parents. Class Dojo is fully accessible on computers, tablets, smartphones, and can even be used on interactive whiteboards and projectors.

Teachers set up their Class Dojo profiles through the website. The process begins by naming the class and assigning a grade level. Teachers are prompted to establish ‘class values’. Class Dojo includes six pre-existing ‘positive’ class values that teachers may opt to choose from:

• Helping others
• On task
• Participating
• Perseverance
• Teamwork
• Working hard

Class Dojo also suggests five ‘needs work’ class values:

• Disrespect
• No homework
• Off task
• Talking out of turn
• Unprepared

Class values are fully customizable. Teachers may select any or all of Class Dojo’s suggested class values, or they may establish class values unique to their specific classroom and needs. Class values are used to assign ‘Dojo Points’; teachers determine the weight of positive behaviours (anywhere from 1 to 5 points) and the weight of negative behaviours (anywhere from -1 to -5 points). For example, a student may earn two Dojo Points for teamwork, but could lose Dojo Points for being unprepared for class.

An example of Class Dojo in action come from St. Mark’s SNS.

What technology can be used?

Students and parents can create accounts to see data on progress toward various goals; this includes detailed reports on the types of behaviours that were observed in each class. Families can also use the ClassDojo Messenger app to monitor their child’s progress and communicate with teachers.

With the mobile app (iOS and Android), teachers can give points from anywhere in the room, potentially freeing them up to move about as they teach.

Getting Started

ClassDojo is free for teachers and work on the web, iOS, Android and any computer. The Class Dojo website includes several teacher resources including ‘cheat sheets’ to learn the basics of the system, parent letters and back-to-school night presentations, and video tutorials for teachers, parents, and students. Teachers also have the option to print out Class Dojo decorations to display around their classrooms.