A middle school English teacher reflects on the value of using the learning management system Schoology. There are three main benefits: 1) It organizes all student homework and assignments in one consistent place, making it easier for students; 2) It is easier for teachers to use than Google Sites, with automated forms and reminders to change due dates; 3) It allows students to interact and discuss assignments at home, extending collaborative learning beyond the classroom. The teacher finds Schoology accessible and useful for posting assignments, tracking submissions, and facilitating online discussions.

1. A Teacher’s Reflection on its Value
Corinne Bancroft, Middle School English
St. Gregory College Prep (AZ)
There are three main reasons for using Schoology.
•First, it is better for students because all of their homework is
easily and consistently organized in one place.
•Second, it is easier for me than google sites. It has a form I
fill out to post assignments so I am consistent every time, and
it reminds me to change due dates for classes that meet on
different days.
•Third, it allows students to interact with each other in a
way that extends collaborative learning from the
classroom to their homes.

2. Schoology works for me because it has a very accessible interface. This
is the home page that students and teachers see when we log in.
You can see that all my upcoming
assignments are clearly listed on the
right. All of my assignments are English
because that is all I teach. If I were a
student, I could have five to eight
different courses listed here. All of my
homework would automatically appear in
the same place.

3. If students want to focus on a certain
course this is what they see. This is a
block of sixth grade English. The most
useful functions for me are assignments
and discussions.
You’ll notice that
a student’s
homework for
this particular
course is still
posted on the
right hand side
of the screen.

4. This is an example of the I prefer this to google sites because I
assignment page. You can see do not have to do any formatting.
that it is clear which assignment is Schoology asks me questions about
tonight’s homework and which are assignments, and I input information.
past assignments. It is less work for me and more
consistent for my students.

5. My students enjoy
discussing texts on
the assignment
page itself.
Sometimes they
discuss it, and
sometimes they
ask each other
clarifying
questions. This is
helpful to me
because I do not
have to respond to
as many confused
emails.

6. This is what it looks like for students to turn in assignments
on Schoology. Schoology keeps track of whether or not the
student submitted the paper on time and how many revisions
he/she has made.

7. In the 8th grade, I
often use the
discussion feature.
You can see that I
have posted an New
York Times Article
about homework. My
students followed the
link to read the article
and then discussed it
on this page.