Evaluation of Instructional Technology Product
Evaluation of the Schoology Instructional Technology Solution
Miami-Dade County Public School has recently adopted a new comprehensive k-12 teaching and learning solution called Schoology. Schoology is, at its core, a learning management system. A learning management system (LMS) is a web-based, cloud-based, or installed software that helps teaching and learning." (Yawson & Yamoah, 2020). It is a tool that allows school districts to manage face-to-face, blended, and online learning environments. An LMS has built-in versatility that enables educators to create and facilitate learning communities and engage parents and education partners in supporting student learning. (Dadeschools, 2022)
Key benefits of Schoology include quickly pivoting between in-person, virtual, and hybrid instruction. Schoology also provides access to District approved high-quality teaching materials. Additionally, Schoology allows educators to save time with integrations through technology to enable teachers to focus on interactive learning experiences. Moreover, the functionality of Schoology will improve as content evolves to meet IMS cross-platform standards such as LTI 1.3. The IMS defines the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standard version 1.3. It prescribes a way to connect LO repositories quickly and securely without needing expensive custom programming. The LTI core establishes a secure connection and confirms the tool's authenticity. At the same time, the extensions add features like the exchange of assignment and grade data between assessment tools and the electronic grade book. Using LTI, an interactive assessment application or virtual chemistry lab is connected securely to the LMS with a few clicks. LTI comprises a central core and optional services to add optional features and functions. " (IMS, 2019)
According to Mr. Leonid Rabinovich, District Director Choice Program for MDCPS, Dade County Public Schools uses the Schoology platform as its LMS platform. He stated, "we are pushing for tighter integration with open learning object standards from our vendors, which provide our learning resources. As existing contracts expire, we require content publishers to adhere to LTI 1.3 for renewal eligibility." (Rabinovich, 2022) Learning objects (LOs) are digital objects with a stated educational purpose; and digital objects that are marked or tagged for specific academic goals. LOs are any reusable digital resource encapsulated in a lesson or assemblage of lessons grouped in units, modules, courses, and even programs. (McGreal, 2004)
Schoology will be able to leverage reusable learning objects to allow educators to create new coursework from existing content in new ways. Learning objects (LOs) are digital objects with a stated educational purpose; and digital objects that are marked or tagged for specific academic goals. LOs are any reusable digital resource encapsulated in a lesson or assemblage of lessons grouped in units, modules, courses, and even programs. (McGreal, 2004)
Moreover, LOs empower instructional designers to build smaller, reusable instructional components in different learning contexts. (Brandon, 2008, p. 352). This reusability functionality uses metadata tagging. The metadata tagging aims to increase the re-discovery and reuse of learning objects (LOs) in Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) or digital repositories. (Dorca et al., 2017, p. 514–516)
This author feels positive after evaluating the Schoology learning management system and its benefits. An LMS saves time and money and allows learners to prioritize their workload. Additionally, a good LMS delivers better engagement and retention, provides valuable staff data, and provides a consistent yet flexible platform that reduces staff turnover. (Parker, 2022) Moreover, while no technology is an educational panacea, Schoology goes significantly toward the ideal classroom learning environment.
Key benefits of Schoology include quickly pivoting between in-person, virtual, and hybrid instruction. Schoology also provides access to District approved high-quality teaching materials. Additionally, Schoology allows educators to save time with integrations through technology to enable teachers to focus on interactive learning experiences. Moreover, the functionality of Schoology will improve as content evolves to meet IMS cross-platform standards such as LTI 1.3. The IMS defines the Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) standard version 1.3. It prescribes a way to connect LO repositories quickly and securely without needing expensive custom programming. The LTI core establishes a secure connection and confirms the tool's authenticity. At the same time, the extensions add features like the exchange of assignment and grade data between assessment tools and the electronic grade book. Using LTI, an interactive assessment application or virtual chemistry lab is connected securely to the LMS with a few clicks. LTI comprises a central core and optional services to add optional features and functions. " (IMS, 2019)
According to Mr. Leonid Rabinovich, District Director Choice Program for MDCPS, Dade County Public Schools uses the Schoology platform as its LMS platform. He stated, "we are pushing for tighter integration with open learning object standards from our vendors, which provide our learning resources. As existing contracts expire, we require content publishers to adhere to LTI 1.3 for renewal eligibility." (Rabinovich, 2022) Learning objects (LOs) are digital objects with a stated educational purpose; and digital objects that are marked or tagged for specific academic goals. LOs are any reusable digital resource encapsulated in a lesson or assemblage of lessons grouped in units, modules, courses, and even programs. (McGreal, 2004)
Schoology will be able to leverage reusable learning objects to allow educators to create new coursework from existing content in new ways. Learning objects (LOs) are digital objects with a stated educational purpose; and digital objects that are marked or tagged for specific academic goals. LOs are any reusable digital resource encapsulated in a lesson or assemblage of lessons grouped in units, modules, courses, and even programs. (McGreal, 2004)
Moreover, LOs empower instructional designers to build smaller, reusable instructional components in different learning contexts. (Brandon, 2008, p. 352). This reusability functionality uses metadata tagging. The metadata tagging aims to increase the re-discovery and reuse of learning objects (LOs) in Learning Content Management Systems (LCMS) or digital repositories. (Dorca et al., 2017, p. 514–516)
This author feels positive after evaluating the Schoology learning management system and its benefits. An LMS saves time and money and allows learners to prioritize their workload. Additionally, a good LMS delivers better engagement and retention, provides valuable staff data, and provides a consistent yet flexible platform that reduces staff turnover. (Parker, 2022) Moreover, while no technology is an educational panacea, Schoology goes significantly toward the ideal classroom learning environment.
References
Brandon, B. (2008). Best of the eLearning guild's learning solutions: top articles from the eMagazine's first five years. John Wiley & Sons.
Dorca, F. A., Carvalho, V. C., Mendes, M. M., Araujo, R. D., Ferreira, H. N., & Cattelan, R. G. (2017). An Approach for Automatic and Dynamic Analysis of Learning Objects Repositories through Ontologies and Data Mining Techniques for Supporting Personalized Recommendation of Content in Adaptive and Intelligent Educational Systems. 2017 IEEE 17th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT). https://doi.org/10.1109/icalt.2017.121
IMS. (2019, May 5). Learning Tools Interoperability. https://www.imsglobal.org; 1EDTECH. https://www.imsglobal.org/activity/learning-tools-interoperability
McGreal, R. (2004). Learning objects: A practical definition. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning (IJITDL), 9(1).
Parker, R. (2022, June 30). 7 benefits of an LMS (learning management system). Synergy Learning. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://synergy-learning.com/blog/7-top-benefits-of-using-a-learning-management-system-lms/
PowerSchool.com. (2022). Empower data-driven teaching and learning throughout ... - PowerSchool. Schoology Learning - PowerSchool. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from http://go.powerschool.com/rs/861-RMI-846/images/schoology_product_flyer_april_2021.pdf
Yawson, D. E., & Yamoah, F. A. (2020). Understanding satisfaction essentials of E-learning in higher education: A multi-generational cohort perspective. Heliyon, 6(11), e05519–e05519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05519
Dorca, F. A., Carvalho, V. C., Mendes, M. M., Araujo, R. D., Ferreira, H. N., & Cattelan, R. G. (2017). An Approach for Automatic and Dynamic Analysis of Learning Objects Repositories through Ontologies and Data Mining Techniques for Supporting Personalized Recommendation of Content in Adaptive and Intelligent Educational Systems. 2017 IEEE 17th International Conference on Advanced Learning Technologies (ICALT). https://doi.org/10.1109/icalt.2017.121
IMS. (2019, May 5). Learning Tools Interoperability. https://www.imsglobal.org; 1EDTECH. https://www.imsglobal.org/activity/learning-tools-interoperability
McGreal, R. (2004). Learning objects: A practical definition. International Journal of Instructional Technology and Distance Learning (IJITDL), 9(1).
Parker, R. (2022, June 30). 7 benefits of an LMS (learning management system). Synergy Learning. Retrieved September 21, 2022, from https://synergy-learning.com/blog/7-top-benefits-of-using-a-learning-management-system-lms/
PowerSchool.com. (2022). Empower data-driven teaching and learning throughout ... - PowerSchool. Schoology Learning - PowerSchool. Retrieved September 20, 2022, from http://go.powerschool.com/rs/861-RMI-846/images/schoology_product_flyer_april_2021.pdf
Yawson, D. E., & Yamoah, F. A. (2020). Understanding satisfaction essentials of E-learning in higher education: A multi-generational cohort perspective. Heliyon, 6(11), e05519–e05519. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05519
