Are you interested in knowing more about what Schoology is? You’ve come to the right place.
Educational learning management systems have transformed the settings of higher education. However, many companies have released K-12 versions over the past decade. Some of the companies have started catering to K-12 institutions.
Just like Blackboard Learn, Schoology provides a next-gen API as well as Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) support, advanced assessments, custom branding, detailed analytics, and granular role creation for a fee.
With an interface that looks like that of a social network and the value of an enterprise LMS, it is a reliable platform for K-12 learning management.
In this article, I will explain what Schoology is, its features, and all that you need about the platform.
What is Schoology?
Schoology is a cloud-based LMS that specializes in course instruction, curriculum management, and system-wide resource sharing and collaboration. You can upload course content and assignments to the platform to create your website.
You can then use dynamic content creation tools and text editors to create your content and lessons. Also, you can use HTML and CSS tools to keep your lessons as complex or simple as you want.
The profile of each of the students can be viewed from the website to measure the student’s progress.
Students and instructors can collaborate and also learn wherever they are; thanks to the web-based and native apps for Android, iOS, and Kindle devices.
What Are the Features of Schoology?
The following features will showcase the strengths of Schoology:
1. Instructional Tools
Schoology has course design features to help instructors create assignments. As an instructor, you can attach different materials like quizzes, packets, discussion boards, and more.
You can also use the individualized instruction tools that the platform provides to set requirements for your students and to interact with materials. There are different grading tools like highlighting and annotating.
2. Communication and Collaboration
You can communicate beyond the classroom on Schoology. You can also communicate with your student’s parents and other faculty members through the platform’s messaging.
Courses are saved in a folder system and you can share them either as a resource or in a public group.
3. Data, Analytics, and Personalized Learning
You can track each of the student’s progress and can also peruse grading averages and expectations. There is a results tab for quizzes where you can see the scores of the students and the group’s statistical averages.
The platform also has high-level analytics that you can use to gain an in-depth perspective on learners.
4. Interoperability
Just like Edmodo or Google Classroom, Schoology integrates well with student information systems (SIS). The platform’s support for the LTI standards also allows administrators to connect the SIS with an existing learning management system.
This makes the tool a great platform for post-secondary institutions.
5. Assessment Management
Schoology’s Assessment Management Platform allows assessment teams to be formed based on the courses to determine the standards of the courses. Standards can also be updated to apply to many courses at the same time.
More so, you can automatically update and save assessments. The tools on the platform also allow you to assess students on different skills using a wide range of media with videos and images.
6. Group Resources and App Store
On Schoology, there are groups for clubs, grades, sports teams, and departments. Educators can leverage these by joining groups that suit their interests. For instance, a Language Arts group has over 7,000 members.
Once you join a group, you can explore the resources in the group. If you’re in a Flipped Classroom, you will find folders with HTML tags, cooperative education forms, as well as folders that contain diagnostics.
You can use the materials as templates for your resources.
What You Should Know About Schoology
1. Schoology allows users to have access to materials anytime and anywhere
Access to Schoology implies that users (students and teachers) can view course materials anytime and anywhere there is internet access.
If any of your students lose a worksheet or project outline, that won’t be a problem since the course materials are on Schoology.
2. Schoology provides professional development opportunities for instructors
Schoology replaces the LMS that teachers use to have access to professional development opportunities.
3. Teachers can decide how they want to use Schoology in their classrooms
Schoology provides numerous ways for students to deepen their learning experience.
4. Schoology works on devices that have an internet connection
Students and teachers can have access to Schoology from the web, or through the Schoology apps for Android, iOS, and Kindle devices.
5. Schoology has a huge user base in the K-12 market
There are over 8 million students across 60,000 K-12 schools and universities throughout the world. Users can use the online grade book to provide swift and ongoing student feedback.
6. Teachers and students can use Schoology features to get the most out of the platform
The following features can help you get the best results from using Schoology:
- Recording and watching video projects.
- Building standard assessments.
- Using third-party apps.
- The use of the online grade book for rapid and ongoing student feedback.
7. There is a free version of Schoology for users
If you want to start using Schoology, simply go online to register for the tool’s free version and have access to some of its best features.
How to Use Schoology
As a teacher, you can use Schoology to build communication with your students in every aspect of the school setting. The well-connected platform bridges the gaps in communication between students, teachers, and administrators.
The following are ways the different users can use Schoology:
Teachers
With Schoology, users can connect a private site to education, instead of trying to collaborate with coworkers on personal social websites.
The basic concept of Schoology is academic and professional. Teachers can use these concepts to share resources, post practices, and develop an online learning community.
Although other platforms have an academic framework, teachers can use Schoology more efficiently.
Students
Schoology will provide the opportunity to have a forum where they can discuss academic concepts, share knowledge, and use Web 2.0 tools for learning.
Although the teacher cannot censor every piece of content, exposure to the views of other learners would benefit young learners while preparing for middle school. Ensure you take time to clearly convey the expectations of the students.
Parents
Most parents don’t understand what the teacher says and this affects communication. Schoology provides a private link where parents can see the student’s updates every day.
This will reduce the issues related to getting shocked after going through the student’s report card.
You can post due dates, details of assignments, and resources to help parents. These will help parents to play a key role in the success of their children.
Administrative Use
The school page on Schoology is designed to provide useful general information to students, parents, and staff. Most schools have websites that give them some of this information, but Schoology provides a continuous stream of updates.
Teachers, students, or staff members can also post information on the school’s page. The tool acts as a ‘village’ tool that allows those involved to comment, collaborate, and communicate.
Pricing
The pricing information is not displayed on its website. hence, you need to contact the vendor to get a quote.
Schoology Alternatives
Canvas LMS
Canvas LMS is a learning management system that makes it easy to teach and learn. It also simplifies implementation and adoption, customer support, and student success.
Blackboard
Blackboard is a reliable and scalable foundation for a top-quality and world-class learning experience. The flexible learning platform allows you to extend online learning, boost engagement, and maximize learning outcomes.
Edmodo
Edmodo connects learners with the people and resources that are needed to attain their full potential.
Zoom
Zooms combine simple online meetings, video conferencing, and group messaging into a single, easy-to-use platform.
The platform offers the audio, video, and screen-sharing experience across Mac, Zoom Rooms, Windows, Android, and H.323/SIP room systems.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a tool that can be found in Google Apps for Education. The tool helps teachers quickly create and organize assignments. It also helps to provide feedback efficiently and communicate easily with classes.
ClassDojo
This simple classroom management uses positive feedback and parent communication to enhance online learning.
Moodle
Moodle is a full-featured, robust, and scalable open-source learning management system. The virtual learning environment provides a platform for e-learning.
It also helps educators to conceptualize the different courses, course structures, and curricula; thereby enhancing interaction with online students.
TalentLMS
TalentLMS is an easy, cloud LMS that is used for training employees, partners, and customers.
Pros
- Schoology is free for individuals.
- It helps with granular role creation.
- The tool has web-based grading and annotations.
- The platform is intuitive and also acts as a full-featured course assembler.
- It has extensive interoperability.
- It features an Assessment Management Platform and an app center.
Cons
- Students can easily be distracted from the main educational focus.
- You cannot open two accounts at the same time on a computer.
- Teachers cannot moderate students’ comments or discussions.
What Can You Do with Schoology?
Schoology is a tool that you can use to manage your files, assignments, assessments, learning outcomes, and badges. The platform has unlimited storage.
You can use the tool to import files, create new resources, and copy or move the resources to any or all of your courses.
What is the Essence of Schoology?
Schoology is a Learning Management System that is scalable.
The system enables K-12 districts to successfully increase student engagement, infuse districts with more data, improve teacher effectiveness, and transform school districts into open collaborative teaching and learning settings.
How Can Schoology be Used in the classroom?
Schoology has message boards that enable students to easily communicate with each other. Also, it allows teachers to collaborate and build lessons and classes and also interact together on projects.
FAQs
Is Schoology easy to use?
Schoology is like a social media platform. It is easy to use and also has lots of ability to be extended through integrations with Microsoft and Google. The tool also connects well with other learning platforms in important K-12 settings.
Why do teachers like Schoology?
Schoology provides numerous support resources. The tool’s interface is easy for students and teachers to use. It is also visually appealing and intuitive.
The tool has many features that go beyond the basics. Also, its integration with Microsoft and Google makes it easier for students and teachers to use.
What are the main areas of Schoology?
You can move to the three main areas of Schoology from the navigation bar. These areas include Courses, Groups, and Resources.
Does Schoology support zoom?
Yes, it does.
The Zoom Pro LTI app enables districts to install Zoom for all Schoology courses. This allows teachers to schedule and arrange meetings and record classroom sessions amongst others.
Is Schoology an LMS?
Yes, Schoology is an LMS.
Schoology is a learning management system that is designed to aid collaboration between learners and instructors.
Conclusion
In this article, we have considered what Schoology is, its features, and how the different groups of users can use it.
For over 10 years, the platform has supported different instructional models, such as 100 percent online courses and blended learning environments.
As part of the solutions offered by Schoology, the tool ensures that students have access to the same quality of learning and teaching, irrespective of their socio-economic condition, education needs, and other circumstances.
Irrespective of where students and teachers are (whether in the classroom or at home), the platform has communication tools that help students and teachers to connect.
These tools can help teachers to collaborate on a shared curriculum thereby ensuring the delivery of high-quality and engaging learning experiences. They also increase overall access and equity.
Online learning has become an invaluable resource to both educators and teachers. This article on the benefits of online learning will show you the different ways online learning has helped in maximizing teaching resources and time.
Thanks for reading.
