Classcraft: Pros and Cons

 Classcraft  – is a classroom management software that is used to motivate students and monitor behavior with clever gamified platform. It can be accessed through its website, and is available for download at the iOS AppStore and the Google Play Store. 

Let’s discuss on this forum some pros and cons of using this software.

PROS:

-Instant feedback and accountability encourage students to act responsibly, and teachers have quite a few options for customization.

-High-quality graphics, compelling characters, teamwork, and a feeling that something larger is at stake will keep kids interested. Teacher-created quests and battles motivate learners.

- Good teamwork buying with students

-Team work aspects has students motivating each other

- Excites some of the unmotivated types

- Allows me to guide what important with Behaviours and Rewards

- Has a gamer look that students like

- Customising allows you to tailor to your students

- Developers respond to teacher’s input

- Premium allows me to award surprise GP for achievement

- Adds an element of fun with the daily event

One cannot forget:

PEDAGOGY- It's designed to foster learning through teamwork, motivation, and collaboration. Teachers should be mindful of how they manage expectations and content, especially around displaying student scores.

SUPPORT - Quests and customization features allow teachers to differentiate for learners with differing needs. It's complicated and time-intensive to set up, but lots of support is available.

 

 

CONS

Cons: Depending on how it's used, the experience could be more punitive than supportive.

- Time consuming for teacher to set up and run

- Works easier if you have some background in gaming or gamification

-Requires a 1:1 device situation

- Premium is expensive if a teacher is paying out of pocket

As we are managing children this is especially important to me but as I did my research, it seems most games and educational resources are like this but it must be mentioned.

Privacy and Safety Concern- Classcraft's policy explicitly states that Classcraft does not collect the following data: Physiological biometric data; Information on free or reduced lunch status; or User’s contact lists or friends lists. While they state that they make an effort to keep student data private, and that Classcraft tries to make sure that these links are safe for everyone, it notes that the privacy and data collection practices on any linked websites are entirely separate from Classcraft and are not covered by this Privacy Policy.

They note that third party software may be integrated with Classcraft (such as Google Classroom, Microsoft, Facebook or Twitter). Classcraft has no responsibility for the content, policies or actions of these websites and they are entirely separate from Classcraft and are not covered by this Privacy Policy. They commit in their policy not to sell student information or share it for advertising purposes.

 

Unclear whether data are collected by third-parties for their own purposes.

Unclear whether this product uses a user's information to track and target advertisements on other third-party websites or services.

Unclear whether this product creates and uses data profiles for personalized advertisements.

 

Conclusion: When used thoughtfully, this classroom gamification can encourage positive behavior and develop essential collaboration skills. The biggest question is, is it the right fit for your classroom???