iTELL (Indonesia Technology Enhanced Language Learning) THE USE OF SCHOOLOGY AS LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Suhandhini [email protected] Language Development Center Universitas Muhammadiyah Purwokerto Abstract Learning Management System (LMS) is now commonly used by teachers or educators to have collaborative learning through online learning (or e-learning) courses. This learning is aimed to have a lean, efficient, and organized training experience. One of the systems, Schoology, even called the award-winning learning management system, allows the educators to create their own features to add assignments, quiz, grade papers, and facilitates open discussions with students. It also provides updates on assignments, notifications, and discussions/ resource forum through group. Founded by Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang and Tim Trinidad in 2007, this LMS provides students real time formative assessment feedback upon submission. This study explores the use of Schoology as an LMS and the perceptions of students in using it during the courses. Results showed that students were intrinsically contented with the easiness of its use as the basic functions of an LMS. Beside the engagement between teacher and student, teacher and students, it also provides an access code to students’ parents to check students’ progress. However, the use of Schoology as LMS surely has some weaknesses. One of them is about authenticity; it cannot be guaranteed that students did their assignments by themselves since they did not do it under the teacher’s supervision. Some students were also worried about their privacy; therefore, they were not very open in case of being carelessly revealed or copied by others. Keywords: Learning Management System (LMS), Schoology. 1. INTRODUCTION The concept of e-Learning began developing in the early 20th century, marked by the appearance of audio-video communication systems used for remote teaching. In 1909, E.M. Forster published his story 'The Machine Stops' and explained the benefits of using audio communication to deliver lectures to remote audiences. In 1920, Sidney L. Pressey developed the first teaching machine which offered multiple types of practical exercises and question formats. Nine years later, University of Alberta's Professor M.E. Zerte transformed this machine into a problem cylinder able to compare problems and solutions. The trend then shifted to video communication, as a result of which Houston University decided to hold telecast classes to their students for approximately 13-15 hours a week. The classes took place in 1953, while in 1956, Robin McKinnon Wood and Gordon Pask released the very first adaptive teaching system for corporate environments SAKI. The idea of automating teaching operations also inspired the University of Illinois experts to develop their Programmed Logic for Automated Teaching Operations (PLATO) which enabled users to exchange content regardless of their location. In the period between 1970 and 1980, educational venues were rapidly considering the idea of computerizing courses, including the Western Behavioral 207 iTELL (Indonesia Technology Enhanced Language Learning) Sciences Institute from California that introduced the first accredited online-taught degree. The recent growth of distance language learning has led to a corresponding growth in the literature, in which issues of autonomy are prominent (Hurd, Beaven & Ortega 2001; White & Shelley 2003; Holmberg et al. 2005; Hurd 2005, Murphy 2006; White 2003, 2006a, b; Baumann 2006). Distance learning has also begun to merge with CALL through concepts such as ‘online learn- ing’, ‘cyberschools’, ‘asynchronous learning net- works’ and‘telematics’, in which issues of autonomy are less frequently discussed (White 2003: 27ff.) A learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting and delivery of educational courses or training programs. They help the instructor deliver material to the students, administer tests and other assignments, track student progress, and manage record- keeping. LMSs are focused on online learning delivery but support a range of uses, acting as a platform for fully online courses, as well as several hybrid forms, such as blended learning and flipped classrooms. Schoology is a learning management system (LMS) for K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and corporations that allow users to create, manage, and share content and resources. Also known as a course management system (CMS) or virtual learning environment (VLE), the cloud-based platform provides tools to manage any classroom or blended learning environment. The Schoology platform was designed by Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang and Tim Trinidad in 2007 while still undergraduates at Washington University in St. Louis, MO. Originally designed for sharing notes, additional features and functionality continue to be added. The service includes attendance records, online gradebook, tests and quizzes, and homework dropboxes. The social media interface facilitates collaboration among a class, a group, or a school. Schoology can be integrated with existing school reporting and information systems and also provides the added security, filters and support that school districts may require. Schoology-based E-learning research has ever been done by Aminoto and Pathoni (2014) in Jambi. The results show that Schoology-based E-learning affects the student’s learning motivation in SMAN Jambi. Schoology enables teachers to deepen learning process with the students outside the class. It also helps teachers in opening broad communication opportunity for students to take their roles/parts in team discussion and work easily. Schoology also has many interesting characteristics and functions to be used by students. It is also supported by some media like video, audio and image which can attract the student’s interest. Schoology directs students to apply technology in their learning for its fast development.Eka (2017) explained that the fast development of Science and Technology including the learning process demanded the teachers to adjust themselves, so the old teaching style would be left behind because the students with technology awareness would be steps ahead their teachers or even lecturers. The technology development has been a growing emphasis on the psychology of learner autonomy. Although Holec frequently discussed the qualities of autonomous learners, his description of what ‘taking charge of one’s own learning’ involves, which emphasized planning, the selection of materials, monitoring learning progress and self-assessment, arguably focused on the mechanics of day-to-day learning management (Holec 1981: 4). In contrast, Little (1991) placed psychology at 208 iTELL (Indonesia Technology Enhanced Language Learning) the heart of learner autonomy. In one interesting recent definition, Little (2000a: 69) combined Holec’s definition with his own: Autonomy in language learning depends on the development and exercise of a capacity for detachment, critical reflection, decision making and independent action 2. THE USE OF SCHOOLOGY AS THE LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM Schoology is a learning management system. The definition of a learning management system (LMS) is a software application for the administration, documentation, reporting and delivery of e-learning education courses or training programs Jupiter, Haiku, Moodle, Canvas, and Blackboard are the examples of Learning Management System. However, Schoology was found to be the most user friendly, feature packed, and inexpensive. Course can only be joined with a special code Potential for home Schoolers and other schools to create joint courses. Schoology is a safe and secure central hub where all course materials can be found grades and assignments can be accessed, and communication between students, parents, and teachers flourishes. Schoology is consistently improving it's interface and has historically provided several improvements to their platform every 6 months or so. They are planning better annotation tools with which to edit and grade written assignments as well as the ability to edit pdf's directly within the program without third part support. Schoology can be accessed on all Android and IOS devices. Schoology is also Safe and Secure, all posts are monitored and need approval before they can be posted. It is easy central access to all course materials. Courses can be accessed via a drop down men, Customizable Profiles, Courses, and 5 different ways to organize classes. It is very good for students’ autonomy learning. Autonomous learners assume responsibility for determining the purpose, content, rhythm and method of their learning, monitoring its progress and evaluating its outcomes. (Holec 1981: 3) Therefore, all teachers are supposed to have access and accounts. It will help them to create courses for each of all classes, add students to courses and assist students to join new courses, add content to courses, including files, links, resources, discussions, etc. In addition, Schoology is used to (1) communicate with colleagues, parents, and students (2) share resources: files, pictures, links, etc and (3) collaborate, for discussions: exit slips, formative assessments, summary of learning, survey, PLC, personalized learning, teach 21st century skills. 3. FEATURES OF SCHOOLOGY Home Page Instructor’s Home Page is where instructorwill start every time instructorlog in to Schoology. Why? Because it's the best way, as you're having instructor’s morning