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Schoology
by PowerSchool
by PowerSchool
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
We help make selecting a software for your business effortless, economical and efficient.
by PowerSchool
by PowerSchool
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
Profile Information Last updated on: 1 July 2024
It only includes details about the login process for Schoology, such as fields required for login, options for regular and SSO login, and password recovery options.
To answer the query about the implementation process and its duration, additional information from other sources would be necessary. Typically, the implementation of an educational software like Schoology involves several steps, including initial setup, integration with existing systems, training for educators and administrators, and a pilot phase before full deployment. The duration can vary widely depending on the size of the institution and the complexity of the integration, but it generally ranges from a few weeks to several months.
Implementation Process for Schoology Software
The implementation process for Schoology software typically involves several key steps, which can be broken down as follows:
1. Initial Setup and Configuration:
- Account Creation: Institutions need to create accounts and set up their Schoology environment. This includes configuring user roles, permissions, and integrating with existing systems such as Student Information Systems (SIS) and other third-party tools like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Microsoft Teams[6].
- Customization: The platform allows for customization to meet specific needs, including setting up course structures, grading systems, and user interfaces[8].
2. Data Migration:
- Importing Data: Schools may need to import existing data, such as student records, course materials, and historical grades, into the Schoology system. This step ensures continuity and consistency in the learning environment.
3. Training and Professional Development:
- Training Programs: Schoology offers various training resources, including documentation, in-person training, live online sessions, videos, and webinars. These resources help educators and administrators become proficient in using the platform.
- Ongoing Support: Continuous support is available through phone, chat, FAQs, forums, help desks, and a knowledge base. This ensures that users can get help when needed and stay updated with new features and best practices.
4. Pilot Testing:
- Pilot Phase: Before full-scale implementation, a pilot phase is often conducted. This involves a smaller group of users testing the system to identify any issues and gather feedback for improvements.
5. Full Deployment:
- Rollout: After successful pilot testing, the platform is rolled out to the entire institution. This includes enrolling all students, setting up all courses, and ensuring that all functionalities are operational.
6. Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Performance Tracking: Schoology provides tools for tracking student progress, engagement, and performance. This helps educators and administrators monitor the effectiveness of the implementation and make necessary adjustments.
Duration of Implementation
The duration of the implementation process can vary depending on several factors, including the size of the institution, the complexity of the existing systems, and the level of customization required. Generally, the process can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. For example:
- Small Institutions: For smaller schools or individual educators, the setup and training might be completed within a few weeks.
- Large Institutions: For larger school districts or higher education institutions, the process can extend to several months due to the need for extensive data migration, customization, and comprehensive training programs.
Based on the search results, there is limited clear information provided about additional costs like setup fees, maintenance charges, or support costs for Schoology software. However, I was able to gather the following relevant details:
1. Setup/Installation Fees:
- One source [8] mentions that Schoology charges an installation cost ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 for their paid Enterprise plan.
2. Maintenance Costs:
- The same source [8] states that there are maintenance costs for the Enterprise plan, but does not specify the amount.
3. Support Costs:
- Most of the sources [6] indicate that Schoology provides various support options like phone, chat, FAQs, forums, help desk, knowledge base, training resources (documentation, webinars, videos etc.) as part of their offering, but do not mention any separate support charges.
- However, one source [6] notes that there is an option for "priority support" which implies there could be additional costs for premium support levels.
4. Pricing Model:
- The pricing for Schoology appears to be customized based on the number of users, required features, and the size of the institution [6].
- One source [8] suggests the Enterprise paid plan costs anywhere from $7.50 to $10 per student per year, plus the installation and maintenance fees mentioned above. But it requires a minimum 500 student package and a 3-year contract.
Training and Support for Schoology
Schoology offers a comprehensive range of training and support options for new users, ensuring they can effectively utilize the platform. Here are the key components:
Training Resources
1. Online Training Courses:
- Schoology provides online training courses that cover various aspects of using the platform. These courses are designed to help users get acquainted with the system and its features.
2. Training Manuals and Guides:
- Detailed training manuals and guides are available, such as the "Schoology Training Manual" and "A Beginner's Guide to Using Schoology." These documents provide step-by-step instructions on logging in, navigating the homepage, creating and managing courses, and using various tools within Schoology.
3. Video Tutorials:
- Video tutorials, like the "Schoology Teacher Tutorial 1 - Beginner Basics" and "Schoology: Quick Start Guide for New Users," offer visual and practical demonstrations of how to use the platform. These videos are particularly useful for visual learners who prefer to see the software in action[14].
4. Webinars and Live Training Sessions:
- Schoology conducts webinars and live training sessions to provide real-time assistance and answer any questions users might have. These sessions are often interactive, allowing participants to engage with the trainers[11].
Support Options
1. Help Center and Knowledge Base:
- The Schoology Help Center and Knowledge Base are extensive resources where users can find articles, FAQs, and guides on various topics related to using Schoology. These resources are continuously updated to reflect the latest features and best practices[12].
2. Community Forums:
- Schoology has community forums where users can interact with each other, share experiences, and seek advice. These forums are a valuable resource for peer support and community-driven solutions[12].
3. Help Desk and Live Chat:
- Users can access the Schoology Help Desk to submit support requests or launch live chats with support representatives. This ensures that users can get timely assistance for any issues they encounter.
4. Priority Support:
- For users who require more immediate and dedicated support, Schoology offers priority support options. This includes faster response times and more personalized assistance.
5. Training for 'Activators':
- Schoology partners with institutions to train 'activators'—super-users who drive enthusiasm and adoption of the platform within their schools. These activators are provided with a range of training materials to support their wider teams and ensure a smooth implementation process[11].
6. Parent and Student Guides:
- Specific guides are available for parents and students to help them navigate the platform, understand their roles, and make the most of the available features. These guides cover topics like setting up accounts, accessing course materials, and staying informed about assignments and grades[6][8][12].
Security Measures in Place to Protect Data in Schoology
Schoology, as a learning management system (LMS), implements several security measures to protect user data. Here are the key security measures based on the provided sources:
Data Encryption and Secure Data Transfer
- Encryption: Schoology's terms state that the company takes reasonable security precautions, but it does not provide specific details about whether data is encrypted. However, encryption is a common practice in data security to protect sensitive information during storage and transmission.
- Secure Data Transfer: Secure data transfer protocols, such as encryption and secure file-sharing platforms, are essential to ensure data integrity and confidentiality when data is transmitted between different systems or shared with external stakeholders.
User Access Control
- Access Control: Implementing user access controls is vital to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data within the school management software. Different user roles, such as administrators, teachers, and parents, should have appropriate levels of access based on their responsibilities. Regularly reviewing and updating access privileges minimizes the risk of data breaches[6].
- Authentication: Strong authentication protocols are employed to ensure that only authorized users can access the system.
Compliance with Data Privacy Regulations
- Regulatory Compliance: Schoology requires schools to obtain parental consent under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) but does not define itself as a school official under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Compliance with data privacy regulations, such as FERPA, COPPA, and other applicable laws, is crucial for protecting student data[6][8].
Data Breach Notification
- Breach Notification Policy: Schoology's terms do not contain information about a breach notification policy. However, best practices in data security include having a clear policy for notifying affected individuals in the event of a data breach[6].
Physical and Logical Security
- Physical Security: Measures designed to deny unauthorized access to facilities or equipment are part of the overall security strategy[6].
- Logical Security: Software safeguards, including user identification, password access, authentication, access rights, and authority levels, ensure that only authorized users can perform actions or access information in a network[6].
Data Backup and Disaster Recovery
- Data Backup: Establishing robust data backup and disaster recovery plans is essential to protect against data loss due to hardware failures, natural disasters, or cyber-attacks. Regularly backing up data and storing backups securely ensures they can be easily restored in case of emergencies.
Training and Awareness
- Staff Training: Educating staff members on data privacy best practices and the importance of maintaining security protocols is crucial. Regular training sessions ensure that everyone understands their role in protecting student data and remains vigilant against potential security threats[6].
There is limited direct information about how often Schoology releases updates or how those updates are managed. However, I was able to gather the following relevant details:
Update Frequency:
- The search results do not explicitly state the frequency at which Schoology releases updates or new features. Software updates can range from minor bug fixes and patches released frequently, to major version updates released annually or bi-annually.
- One source mentions that PowerSchool (Schoology's parent company) has announced plans to update the Schoology Learning interface over the next 6-12 months, with the first changes coming on January 2, 2024. This suggests major interface updates may happen around once a year.
Update Management:
- There are no clear details provided about Schoology's processes for managing and rolling out updates across their user base.
- However, some best practices for enterprise software updates can be inferred:
1. Testing and Quality Assurance: Before releasing updates widely, they are likely thoroughly tested internally and with a subset of users to identify and fix any issues .
2. Communication and Documentation: Updates, especially major ones, are typically communicated to users/administrators well in advance through release notes, updated documentation, webinars etc. to prepare them for changes [11].
3. Phased Rollouts: Significant updates may be rolled out in phases, either targeting different user groups or geographic regions successively, to monitor impact and provide a rollback option if needed .
4. User Feedback: Software companies often incorporate user feedback and feature requests when planning updates through channels like community forums, surveys etc.
While no specifics are provided, it is reasonable to expect Schoology follows industry best practices for thoroughly testing, communicating, and managing the rollout of updates to their learning management system used by many educational institutions.
Schoology's Policy on Data Ownership and Portability
Data Ownership
1. Ownership by Educational Institutions:
- Schoology's terms state that schools, school districts, and higher education institutions own and control individual users' data on the platform. This means that the educational institutions are the primary owners of the data, not Schoology itself.
- The data includes student records, coursework, and other educational materials uploaded to the platform. Schools are responsible for managing and safeguarding this data.
2. Parental Rights:
- Parents of Schoology users have the right to access, correct, and delete their child's information. They can exercise these rights by contacting their school administrator, emailing Schoology, or using the service’s member information page.
- Schoology requires schools to obtain parental consent under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) for collecting and using children's personal information.
3. Data Control:
- Schoology's policies specify that the company does not guarantee all users the right to access, review, correct, or delete their data directly through the platform. Instead, such requests must be directed to the educational institutions that own the data.
Data Portability
1. Portability Features:
- Schoology supports data portability, allowing users to obtain their data in a format that can be transferred to another service. This is in line with data protection regulations like the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
- Users have the right to receive their personal data in a structured, commonly used, and machine-readable format. This facilitates the transfer of data to other educational platforms or services.
2. Implementation:
- The right to data portability allows individuals to move their data from Schoology to another service of similar capability. This includes data such as assignments, grades, and other educational records.
- Schoology's privacy policy ensures that users can exercise their data portability rights by contacting the platform's support team or through their account settings.
3. Data Retention and Deletion:
- Schoology retains user data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected. Users can request the deletion of their data, and Schoology will comply with such requests in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
- The platform also provides options for restricting the processing of data under certain circumstances, such as when data is inaccurate or when users object to its processing.
Terms for Scaling Up or Down as Organizational Needs Change
Scaling up or down an organization involves adapting its structure, processes, and resources to meet changing demands. Here are the key terms and concepts related to scaling up or down, based on the provided sources:
Scaling Up
1. Scaling Up Excellence:
- Definition: Scaling up involves expanding the reach and impact of an organization by increasing its size, scope, or capacity. This can include growing the number of users, geographic reach, or the range of services offered.
- Strategies:
- Anticipation of Growth: Organizations should plan for future growth by making decisions that will be beneficial in the long term, even if they are not the easiest or most convenient in the short term.
- Specialization and Process: As organizations grow, they need to introduce new structures such as specialization and processes to manage increased scale effectively.
- Avoiding Over-Preparation: It is important to balance the anticipation of growth with the current needs to avoid becoming heavy and sluggish.
2. Readiness for Change:
- Definition: Readiness for change is the capacity and willingness of an organization to engage in scaling activities. It is a critical component of both initiating and scaling up the use of evidence-based practices.
- Core Elements:
- Identification and Validation of Need: Recognizing the need for scaling and validating it with data and stakeholder input.
- Planning and Communication: Developing a comprehensive plan and communicating it effectively to all stakeholders.
- Implementation and Support: Ensuring that the necessary resources and supports are in place to sustain the scaling efforts.
3. Scaling Directions:
- Scaling Up (Structural): Influencing social structures such as laws, policies, institutions, and norms to allow good practices to be adopted more extensively. This involves advocacy, networking, partnerships, and negotiation[8].
- Scaling Out (Replication): Repeating the organizational model or approach across different organizations or geographic locations. This is similar to a franchise model in the commercial sector[8].
- Scaling In (Organizational, Internal): Adjusting the internal structure, functions, or skills within an organization to implement good practices effectively. This includes capacity building and professionalization of staff[8].
Scaling Down
1. Scaling Down (Allocation):
- Definition: Scaling down involves reducing the size, scope, or capacity of an organization to better align with current needs and resources. This can include downsizing staff, reducing services, or consolidating operations[8].
- Strategies:
- Resource Allocation: Ensuring that changes in laws, policies, or norms have the necessary means to implement the envisaged good practices[8].
- Adapting to Reduced Demand: Adjusting the organization's operations and resources to match a decrease in demand or funding[8].
2. Managing Change:
- Change Management: Effective change management is crucial for both scaling up and scaling down. This involves creating a vision and plan for change, preparing the organization, implementing changes, and providing ongoing support to staff.
- Avoiding Burnout: When scaling down, it is important to manage the workload and expectations of staff to prevent burnout and maintain morale.
Terms and Conditions for Contract Renewal and Cancellation for Schoology
Contract Renewal
1. Automatic Renewal:
- Schoology contracts typically include an automatic renewal clause. Unless otherwise specified in the Sales Order, the term of the contract will automatically renew for one-year periods, up to a maximum of five years.
- Renewal terms are subject to the terms and conditions of the main services agreement, and any unused credits will expire after 12 months.
2. Notification Requirements:
- Either party must notify the other of its intent to terminate or modify the agreement at least 60 days before the end of the then-current term. If no such notice is given, the agreement will be extended for additional consecutive terms equal in duration to the initial term, but not less than one year[8].
3. Renewal Quotes:
- Renewal quotes will continue to be subject to and incorporate the terms and conditions of the main services agreement.
Contract Cancellation
1. Termination by Either Party:
- Either party may terminate the agreement for any reason by giving three days' prior written notice to the other party.
- The agreement may also be terminated without notice if one party becomes insolvent, enters receivership or bankruptcy proceedings, makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or ceases to do business.
2. Material Breach:
- The agreement may be terminated by either party if the other party materially or repeatedly defaults in performing its duties or obligations under the agreement. The defaulting party must be given 30 days' written notice to cure the default. If the default is not cured within this period, the agreement may be terminated[8].
3. Return of Materials:
- Upon termination, all rights and obligations of the parties cease, except as set out in the agreement. The client must return all copies of documentation and other materials to Schoology within 30 days of termination[8].
4. Data Deletion:
- Schoology will delete or destroy client data residing on its networks upon termination. Clients may use certain export tools within the services to export course content materials and other specific data elements before termination. Additional support for data export may be provided for a fee[8].
5. Administrative and Cancellation Fees:
- In the event of withdrawal from the contract, an administrative fee and a cancellation fee of three months' school fees may be charged.
6. Extraordinary Termination:
- In cases of extraordinary termination by the school, the deposit paid by the client may be forfeited in favor of the school.
Compliance Standards Met by Schoology
Schoology, as a learning management system (LMS), adheres to several industry standards and compliance regulations to ensure data security, privacy, and interoperability. Here are the key compliance standards that Schoology meets:
Data Privacy and Security Compliance
1. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA):
- Schoology complies with COPPA, which requires schools to obtain parental consent before collecting personal information from children under the age of 13.
2. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):
- Schoology adheres to FERPA, which protects the privacy of student education records and grants parents certain rights regarding their children's education records.
3. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):
- Schoology complies with GDPR, which is a regulation in EU law on data protection and privacy for individuals within the European Union and the European Economic Area.
4. Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA):
- Schoology meets HIPAA standards, which set the standard for protecting sensitive patient data.
5. ISO/IEC 27018:2014:
- Schoology adheres to ISO/IEC 27018:2014, which is a code of practice for protection of personally identifiable information (PII) in public clouds acting as PII processors.
6. Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA):
- Schoology complies with standards set by the SIIA, which is a trade association for the software and digital content industry.
Interoperability Standards
1. SCORM (Sharable Content Object Reference Model):
- Schoology supports SCORM 1.2 and SCORM 2004 standards, which are widely used for creating and delivering e-learning content.
2. AICC (Aviation Industry Computer-Based Training Committee):
- Schoology is compatible with AICC standards, which are used for aviation industry training programs but also applicable in other sectors.
3. xAPI (Experience API or Tin Can API):
- Schoology supports xAPI, which allows for the tracking and recording of learning experiences across various platforms.
4. cmi5:
- Schoology is compatible with cmi5, which is a set of rules for how xAPI is implemented in the context of traditional learning management systems.
Accessibility Compliance
1. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973:
- Schoology complies with Section 504, which prohibits discrimination based on disability in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance[6].
2. Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0:
- Schoology adheres to WCAG 2.0 standards, which provide guidelines for making web content more accessible to people with disabilities[6].
By PowerSchool