“The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”
The web 2.0 tool that I am reviewing this week is Schoology. It can be accessed here: https://www.schoology.com/home.php
I think this tool can be
categorized as a communication tool. However, it can also be used a
collaboration tool.
Do I need to download or install any tools or components to use Schoology? No
3. Welcome to Schoology!
4. Next, if you want to create a course, select “courses” from the black ribbon at the top of the page, then select“create”.
5. Type in the “name” of the course that you want to create, select the “subject area” of the course, then select the “grade level” designated for the course.
6. Voila! You have created a course. Now you can begin adding the course materials, quizzes, assignments, and discussions by clicking on “add materials”
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in a formal or informal teaching environment?
Would I recommend Schoology? Absolutely.
Tool
description:
Schoology is a web 2.0
tool that allows instructors to create academic materials, manage the content,
and share the materials with the students through a unique discussion forum.
Not only that, the instructors can also communicate with the other instructors
through a secure forum. So, it is a cloud-based learning management system that can
be used to manage an online classroom. Interestingly, the tool is free for
teachers and students; even students’ parents can join the courses to monitor
the students’ progress.
The process from signing
up to creating course contents and quizzes was very easy and user-friendly. I didn't experience much difficulty going through the whole process. Details of
the steps will be discussed later. This tool can now be
access with iPhone, iPad, amazon kindle, and android phones; allowing both
student and instructor to access the course on the go.
Last point, when I
first signed-up and used Schoology, I felt that this tool is a blend of
blackboard and Facebook. I assume that the design of the interface is to
promote better communication between students with their peers and the
instructors.
Here's is how it looks:
Do I need to download or install any tools or components to use Schoology? No
What
do you need to know before using this tool? Familiarity
with Facebook
What
do you need to have before using this tool? Nothing specific.
However, Schoology has a feature that allows you to record your voice; so,
having a good microphone can be very useful if you plan to create a material
with audio narration.
Steps
to use this tool:
2. Click Sign Up, select the category to fits you best:
Instructor, student, or parent; then, fill the required forms.
As an instructor you will need to provide your name, email, and create a password. If you access as a student or a parent, you will need the course code that should be provided by the course instructor. The next descriptions will be about accessing as an instructor.
As an instructor you will need to provide your name, email, and create a password. If you access as a student or a parent, you will need the course code that should be provided by the course instructor. The next descriptions will be about accessing as an instructor.
3. Welcome to Schoology!
4. Next, if you want to create a course, select “courses” from the black ribbon at the top of the page, then select“create”.
5. Type in the “name” of the course that you want to create, select the “subject area” of the course, then select the “grade level” designated for the course.
6. Voila! You have created a course. Now you can begin adding the course materials, quizzes, assignments, and discussions by clicking on “add materials”
7. You can find the access code for your
course at the left corner of the page. Send it to your students when
the course is ready. It is that simple.
I created a course example with Schoology.
It is basically just a test course, and I put something about digital storytelling
there. To access this course, please go to: www.schoology.com
select sign up as a student, and use this access code: HHZBM-B7S68.
A
scenario of how I might use Schoology in a teaching environment:
My friends from Indonesia
always ask me to share the things that I’ve learned from the medical teaching
program at the COE. In the past, the only thing that I could do was just
sending some lecture slides or video links to them without having a proper
discussion about the material. I couldn’t know if the materials that I sent to
them were clear enough and if they needed further explanation since we couldn’t
establish a proper way to communicate.
With Schoology I can not
only share learning materials to my friends in a private group setting; I could
also discuss the materials easily using their Facebook-like discussion forum,
something that every one of us is very familiar with. I could even create
quizzes and assignments that allow them to practice the materials being
discussed (If they wish to do itJ). Aside of discussing the materials, I could
also learn about the trending news in my country and my city.
And, best of all, aside
of paying the internet bills, we don’t have to pay for anything else, because
it is free.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using this tool in a formal or informal teaching environment?
Advantages:
- Free
- Provide a media for instructors to create academic materials, manage the content, and share the materials with the students through a Facebook-like discussion forum.
- The courses can only be accessed by people with the course code
Disadvantages:
- The courses can only be accessed by people with the course code
- The students can easily get distracted from the course purpose.
Would I recommend Schoology? Absolutely.
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