Hedy's Place

Transform What’s Possible – Part 2

“The only learning management system (LMS) that connects all the people, content, and systems that fuel education.”

When we open the first page of Schoology, we’ll see posts above.

Is it true? Is Schoology as the only one? I do not know exactly, because I never compare with other beside with MOODLE (CMS – Course Management System).

I use Schoology for almost two years, as my LMS (follow the policy of the school where I shelter) with “basic” version. Basic version means free version while the paid version called “enterprise”.

Schoology has all the necessary equipment, especially to create compelling content, instructional design, and assess student understanding.

I believe that we do not need such a special training to use Schoology, because at the time of Schoology designed, they’ve designed it in thought as a user. Schoology combines the best of the “interface” that modern so it is easy to learn and access to relevant information on any devices (desktop, tablet or smartphone).

Have you tried Blended Learning or Flipped Classroom? Take an advantage of using Schoology as your platform for LMS to enable you to design and create the content, reach students individually and fulfil what they need, learning continues outside the classroom.

Carrying a motto that “connect all the people”, we can join into groups provided in Schoology and have connections with educators all over the world. We can also participate in discussions.

Last Year, on May 2015, I sent my story of using Schoology in my class. I didn’t know the result of it. Almost a year after that, Saturday, Feb 27, 2016, I received email from Dylan Rodgers, Creative Manager at Schoology:

_{“First off, congratulations! You were one of Schoology’s 2015 Educator of the Year Finalists! Thank you for submitting your story. It was more than challenging to pick only a few winners among so many great educators like you.}

_{Second, I wanted to tell you that your story gets me pumped! It is so exciting for me to hear how you are changing the lives of your students and peers.}

_{In fact, we liked your story so much that we turned it into an “educator spotlight” article that we plan to share with the Schoology Community on our blog soon. It will no doubt inspire many of your peers around the world.}

_{Thank you for your dedication to great education. You are changing the lives those around you for the better and deserve recognition for that.”}

Wow, I was so happy being acknowledged globally. My story published in Schoology’s blog with tag “Educator Spotlight” of the week (March 3 – 10). I can share my experience and story to all educators in the world. It is nice, isn’t it? I am more than happy, I think 🙂

In the same blog, you may read a lot of experiences from educators all around the world. You can increase and deepen your knowledge and perception of education. And the important thing, you shouldn’t be afraid of writing your stories, experience in teaching and learning and open a window into your work, so people can also learn from that.

Here is the Link:

The Art of Turning Math into a Social Learning Experience (Article was taken out since Schoology acquired by Powerschool).

The Art of Turning Math into a Social Learning Experience (Copy Article).

The Art of Turning Math into a Social Learning Experience

Article was published in Schoology Blog on March 3, 2016. After was acquired by Power School, the blog was erased so here is the copy.

#FeelingNostalgic

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One must admit, math has some serious problems. Jokes aside, it can be a difficult subject for students in this social, right-brained world we live in. How can a teacher pull students’ attention away from their smartphones and social media long enough to care about learning and solving mathematical equations?

One teacher solved that problem by not trying to fight it. Instead, she integrated it.

Out With The Old, In with the Internet

Hedy Lim, a mathematics teacher in Jakarta, Indonesia, has utilized Schoology, and its user-friendly mobile app, to make math more user-friendly for her students. “I can write mathematics equations very easily in Assignment and Tests/Quizzes,” says Lim.

By uploading assignments, quizzes, and equations straight to the program, students can now access and solve their math work online versus sitting down to just pencil and paper. While it may take time to type the math equations out, Lim adds “Looking at the bright side, we save paper and apply ‘going green’ into our daily activities.”

Making Math Class More Social

Schoology’s social use came into play once Lim installed the mobile app onto her iPhone and turned on the notification feature. “I can be easily contacted by my students anytime, anywhere,” says Lim. “Our students live in a social media era,” she adds. “I try to bring it into their school life too, through Schoology.”

With the app, Lim sends instant messages and uploads news that students can respond to immediately. Likewise, the students can reach Ms. Lim with an email and she can respond back with instant answers.

Lim noticed that not only is Schoology’s interface and mobile app easy to use, but it is also compatible with other programs she uses in class, making her conversions fast, easy, and most importantly, accessible to her students.

“I use Penultimate (Penultimate is the handwriting app for iPad that combines the natural experience of pen and paper with power of Evernote’s sync and search features. Lose the paper, keep the handwriting) as my whiteboard in class,” explains Hedy. “I send snapshots of my whiteboard it to Schoology as an image, a link, or a PDF.

“I also arrange my Flip classroom videos in Explain Everything, an interactive screencasting whiteboard,” she continues. “And once I export them to my camera roll, I can upload the videos to Schoology’s Media Album, and students can study individually at home at their own pace.

Zaption is another tool that Heady says she uses in her workflow. This free tool helps her engage her students through interactive videos and ready-to-use video lessons.

Hedy’s students also have access to continuously updated report card through Schoology, enabling them to visualize and keep track of their progress and take more ownership of their learning. Each time an assignment or assessment is completed, the students (and their parents) can see their results in real-time with no need to print periodic report cards.

Hedy even utilizes her social media accounts to make extra learning opportunities available to her students.

“Sometimes it’s not convenient for teachers share their social media account to their students, which is normal,” she explains. “However, don’t be afraid to use your social media to spread the enjoyment of learning mathematics. You can separate your private account from the one you share with your students.”

“I put some extra questions in my instagram and encourage my students to answer them directly through instagram or any social account that I share with them, including Schoology,” Hedy says with a smile.

Evidently, the days of pencils and paper ruling math class are long gone. Because of technology, and teachers like Hedy Lim, mathematics can now be a social learning experience.

Hedy Lim

Mathematics Teacher

Springfield School, Jakarta, Indonesia

Educator of the Year Finalist 2016