One school district has adopted a new way of managing learning through the Schoology application and teachers say it’s helping them manage their time more effectively.

“Learning management systems like Schoology are computer software programs that organize and distribute course material,” according to the Columbian Missourian.

“Each course that a student is enrolled in has its own home page. The students can find assignments, discussion boards, class schedules and calendars through their course page.”

Kristi Laing a Lange Middle School teacher, said that the time she saves in grading papers enable her to spend more time creating assignments and thinking of new ways to teach by using technology, according to the report.

“The Columbia School Board approved a three-year agreement with Schoology in June, spokeswoman Michelle Baumstark said in an email,” according to the article.

“The cost over three years is $285,973 and comes from the Technology Services budget.”

As for the students, Kara Miller, a senior at Battle High School, told Allison Colburn of the Columbian Missourian, that the new technology is helping her stay on top of her assignments thanks to the notifications that students get before an assignment is due.

While Laing thinks that technology can be a very helpful tool and makes learning more efficient, she does agree that educators shouldn’t let it replace the relationships she has with her students. 

The Schoology technology provided course management, mobile learning, a communication hub and simple integration platforms. It’s being used in other districts such as the Palo Alto Unified School Districts and Jeffco Public Schools.

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Article by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor