Learning Management Systems

In the world of technology in education, I tend to get overwhelmed by how many apps and websites offer similar features, and I'm sure my students do to. My school purchases many different resources for our curriculum. We have some through several different publishers. Here is a list of the many websites and apps my students could use daily and what they would have to do:

• Math: Log in to hrw.com, type in your log-in and password, complete the assignment
• Reading/ELA: Login to connected.mcgraw-hill.com, type in your log-in and password, complete the assignment 
• Social Studies: Login to teachtci.com, type in your username and password, complete the assignment
• Istation - practice reading and math for 20 minutes during rotations
• Prodigy - Play the game and take the assessment
• Xtra Math - go to the website and play the game for 10 minutes

The list goes on and on and on.... During the day, they need at least 5 different usernames/passwords for all the resources we could use. However, there are tools to consolidate the notes, assignments, and grades to all one place! It is called a Learning Management System. It's a great way to help students not feel overwhelmed by all the resources they could use. A few examples of learning management systems are:

1. Google Classroom
2. Edmodo
3. Schoology

There would be no reason to use all three, so here a few items about each one to help you decide what you think might be best.

Google Classroom vs. Edmodo vs. Schoology

In my school we use Google Classroom. I use Google Classroom to post discussions, assignments, polls, and quizzes. It is very easy to attach items from Google Drive. Students would have to create a g-mail account in order to use Google Classroom. As a teacher, you can grade and give students feedback on assignments. You can also see who has completed the assignment and who hasn't. Here is a quick video that shows you what Google Classroom has to offer.

Edmodo is another great learning management system. This website or app is very user friendly. It has more of a social media feel rather than another website. The layout looks very similar to Facebook which might engage the students in using it. Different features it has is creating classes, posting assignments, sharing folders, and creating polls or quizzes.

Schoology (last but not least) is a learning management system very similar to Edmodo. It has a very similar look to Facebook as well. There is an extra feature on Schoology and that is creating courses or groups. Courses would be used for your classroom, but you could use the groups for possibly a club or connecting with parents. You can also grade with a rubric and it has a gradebook feature.

 All of these learning management systems are great! I encourage you to explore them and decide which would work best for you and your students!