Strath Haven has been using Google Classroom as a learning platform in classes. However, in January, they will be switching to Schoology.
Some select teachers in a pilot group have already implemented Schoology in their classrooms, including librarian Mrs. Beth Cohen.
After news of the switch was announced by the administration, Cohen was curious to see what it would be like.
“I like that I don’t have to import grades into PowerSchool,” she said. “When I grade in Schoology, it goes right into PowerSchool.”
This will save time for teachers as they spend much time moving Google Classroom grades into PowerSchool, where the grade is “official.”
Though there may be some benefits for teachers, students who were subject to the change in the first quarter have strong opinions about it.
“I was kind of annoyed because I already didn’t know how Google Classroom works,” freshman Nico McPherson said. As a first-year student, McPherson needed to learn two different online systems in order to manage his classes.
Sophomore Eddie Gebhardt was subject to the switch in the first semester.
“I dislike that it’s not very well made. So it’s hard to find your assignments and stuff,” he said.
Schoology presents a challenging midyear change for students and teachers, so why did the administration put the switch in place at all?
“My understanding is that the district wanted a true learning management system or an LMS which Google Classroom is not,” Cohen said.
According to the WSSD Educational Affairs Meeting presentation on February 1, 2023, a learning management system simplifies teaching and learning by organizing content in a central location, enabling teachers, administrators, students, and families to have access to up-to-date information.
The meeting slides state that Google Classroom is not a learning management system.
Even though some feedback is negative, students and teachers agreed that it would just take a little time to get adjusted to it.
“I think once people get used to using it, it’ll be a quick transition,” Cohen said. “I think anything new and different is going to be a little intimidating, but once people dive in and get used to using it, it’s going to become regular pretty quick.”
