Chapter 5: Compelling Evidence of Success
Analytical tools intrinsic to Schoology are used to collect data on a daily basis to measure the engagement of: teachers, parents, and students. In addition to student engagement, student achievement can also be measured on a per-course, per-unit/project, per-assignment, and per-standard basis. To collect and analyze summative assessments, SSCS uses i-Ready assessments and NYS standardized test results to target specific Common Core Learning Standards.
Additionally, students, teachers, and administration are routinely surveyed using ISTE’s standards (which are designed specifically for each cohort of learners). The data collected from these surveys are then used by our technology committed (an open group made up of parents, students, teachers, administration, and IT) to discuss all large scale decisions regarding technology infrastructure as well as structures to support effective, innovative, and research-based curriculum constructs and pedagogical approaches.
The image below is a screenshot of one of Schoology’s analytic tools. This specific screenshot shows that in its first full month of use (October 4 to October 30), teachers and students are using this tool to facilitate online discussions (587 posts), collect work digitally (1,172 submissions), sharing course-specific information (48,840 pages viewed), and distributing digital content (579 files uploaded). This data is discussed and analyzed by our technology team (especially as it relates to student achievement and parent engagement); growth is celebrated and challenges are looked at as opportunities for targeted future professional development plans for teachers).
The image below is a screenshot of one of the learning management systems math teachers at SSCS are using to provide students with a resources that allows them to offer students learning opportunities that are individualized to each student’s pace, while not being limited by where they are (as long as they have a internet connection). To support streamlined communication with students (and thereby the district-wide LMS), math teachers link Mathxl assignments from Schoology’s communication features, while also using Schoology’s discussion and cloud-storage features to provide tutorials – via short video clips (made using Educreations) – and peer-to-peer guidance.
The image below is a screenshot of Schoology’s gradebook in use at SSCS. This tool allows students and parents to access not only to up-to-date grades, but links to the actual assignments with task-specific feedback embedded in each graded assignment (through standards-based rubrics, annotation tools, dynamic audio and video recordings, and/or text comments). This tool also provides analysis of each assignment (and even each question/task) according to student achievement – helping to provided data to support instructional decisions, especially as it relates to targeting specific standards.
