Those Little Things That Make A Big Difference!
Schoology Edition
@LisaBerghoff/@MrKimDHS
Sometimes as teachers we do a peculiar thing. We ask our students if there are any questions and then when there are none, we assume everyone has the knowledge they need to move on. Why is this peculiar? Because we know from our own learning experiences that just because there are no questions it doesn't mean we necessarily know it all. Often we don't ask because we simply don't know what we don't know. Also, we might not be ready for more until we really need it.
I have found this to be true over the past few weeks of working with our staff. I have looked at a lot of grade books and grade book setups and have had wonderful conversations about your use of technology in the classroom. Along the way, I have dropped some tidbits of Schoology information that has been pretty mind blowing for many of you. As you know, my office is a no judgement zone. You can ask me anything. It occurred to me that you may not know what to ask, or you might not really need the information until you really do need the information.
Here are a few of those little things that can make a massive difference for you and your students.
1. Have content automatically open in a new window.
When you add a piece of content in Schoology, the default is for it to open within Schoology. Sometimes it is better for that content to be accessed in a new window. Videos and images, for example, can be better viewed in a larger window. At times Google products will give you the discouraging frownie face within Schoology. Yes, most students know that the workaround is to click the icon to open in a new window. Why not just do it for them?
Here's how:
Simply click to uncheck the little ABC icon when adding content.
2. Make sure students' "overdue" work list is accurate.
When adding an assignment in Schoology, the default is that there will be something turned in digitally, within the Schoology environment, by students clicking the Submit button. Since we are a blended learning environment not everything is turned in digitally. If you are giving an assignment that does not require students to submit something digitally you should disable submissions. That way, when students, parents, and case managers look at what is overdue, your paper and pencil assignment won't be on that list.
Here's how:
Simply click the icon that looks like a file folder with a green arrow
to disable submissions. It is at the bottom of the assignment editing window.
3. Place content on your materials page where YOU want it.
When you click to add materials, you know that your content will automatically appear at the bottom of the page. Sure, you can click and drag it or click the gear and choose Move. But why not just have it appear where you want it initially?
Here's how:
Notice the gray lines above and below your content on the materials page. As you hover over those gray lines they turn green.
When it is green, click to add materials to that location.
4. Show students how to reorder their course tiles.
As students join activities and sports and those rosters get added to Infinite Campus, Schoology tiles will be generated. Student course tiles can become jumbled or even seem like they are missing. Showing students how to reorder their tiles not only helps make sure their most needed tiles are front and center, it also give students control over their own view in Schoology.
Here's how:
Have the students click Courses and then My Courses and click the reorder courses button. They can click and drag their course tiles so their most important are on top.
5. Show students how to adjust their notifications.
We are often reassured that students receive an email notification from us when we add something to Schoology. We are also often annoyed that students don't check their email.
Have you seen our students' email inboxes? They are inundated with messages and many of them are Schoology notifications. Let's teach them how to get the ones they really need by adjusting their notification preferences.
Here's how:
Have students click on their profile in the upper right corner and go to Settings. When they click the Notifications tab they have the ability to adjust both email and phone notifications (if they are using the Schoology app on their phone. At first glance it looks like you can turn notifications On or Off. However, if you choose Custom you can choose that specific notification by class. Students can always go back and adjust these as needed.
What are some of the little things that you have learned? Feel free to reach out and share them with us!
