App Review: 'Schoology App' (iOS)

App Name: Schoology

Cost: Free

What does it promise? The Schoology app promises yet another way for educators to organize their classrooms. It also promises a way to help students get organized as well and never miss another assignment. The application looks geared to higher education at first but the truth is, it could be very useful in grades 9-12 as well.

“Manage your classroom, create and submit assignments, participate in interactive discussions, perform assessments, collaborate with your peers, and much more!” according to iTunes.

“With Schoology’s iOS mobile app, you can have rich and engaging academic experiences anytime, anywhere.”

Does it deliver? Yes. The catch here is that it’s going to be yet another account you have to sign up for and another password to put in your memory bank. Once you can get past that, Schoology makes signing up easy. After signing up for an account, teachers can organize their classrooms into specific sections and also upload readings, syllabi, tests, quizzes and other assignments and even participate in discussions. All of this is available through the simple and crisp application.

If students and teachers set up notifications on their Apple devices, then it will be easy for them to ask questions and receive the answer right away. It’s a very useful organizational tool as well as a helpful tool for students.

Can I use it in the classroom? Yes. Even more importantly however, this app can be used by educators to professionally interact with all students outside of the classroom. It’s almost like 24-7 help desk for when students are struggling with material. Yet another successful organizational tool surfaces to make the lives of educators and students easier.

App review by Navindra Persaud, Education World Contributor.