Unlocking Word Meanings

Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.

keep (someone) in line / kip ɪn laɪn / (idiom) – to make sure that someone does not misbehave
Example:
The teacher asked the class president to keep the other students in line during the general assembly.
deduct / dɪˈdʌkt / (v) – to take out a certain amount from a whole
Example:
I will deduct points from students who are noisy.
laud / lɔd / (v) – to praise or honor
Example:
Parents lauded the teacher’s unique way of disciplining students.
break down barriers / breɪk daʊn ˈbær i ərs / (idiom) – to put an end to miscommunication
Example:
The meeting helped break down barriers between the teachers and the students.
carrot-and-stick / ˈkær ət ænd stɪk / (idiom) – involving both reward and punishment to encourage cooperation
Example:
My neighbor uses a carrot-and-stick approach on her children by buying them new toys when they get good grades and not allowing them to play when they don’t study.

Article

Read the text below.

Parents can receive instant updates on their children’s behavior in class using ClassDojo, a classroom monitoring app.

The app helps teachers keep children in line by letting teachers give or deduct points for certain behaviors like working hard, staying on task, bullying, or showing disrespect. It also allows sending of photos and videos that show the students’ outputs and activities to keep parents up to date.

ClassDojo has received mixed reactions from the public. Teachers find the app an effective tool to give feedback on students’ performance and behavior. It also earned praise for letting students monitor and manage their own performance in class. Likewise, parents have lauded the app’s success in breaking down barriers of communication between them and their children’s teachers. They attest to the app’s effectiveness in keeping track of their children’s progress and certain areas that may require reinforcement.

However, some critics pointed out that the app’s carrot-and-stick approach to behavior management is outdated. They claim that this method tends to instill the fear of public humiliation rather than promote behavior change among children.

In addition, some raised that the app can pose a threat to children’s privacy. Nevertheless, ClassDojo’s creators asserted that the app’s privacy policy is updated and assured that all information gathered will remain confidential.

Despite criticisms, ClassDojo has remained popular since its launch in 2011. It has managed to stay ahead of competitors like Remind, FreshGrade, Nearpod, and Kickboard. According to the company, the app is used by 70% of UK schools and 90% of US schools. At present, the app has been translated into 35 languages.

Viewpoint Discussion

Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.

Discussion A

• Do you think using classroom monitoring apps class like ClassDojo is the best way to involve parents in their child’s progress in school? Explain.
• What information should parents receive from school about their children? Give details.

Discussion B

• An African proverb says, “It takes a village (i.e. the parents, school, and community) to raise a child.” Do you agree? Explain.
• Who had the greatest influence on your life when you were growing up? How did he/she influence you?