Schoology

Schoology is a social networking service and virtual learning environment for K-12 schools and higher education institutions that allows users to create, manage, and share academic content. Also known as a learning management system (LMS) or a course management system (CMS), the cloud-based platform provides tools needed to manage a virtual classroom lesson. Schoology allows teachers to manage classes remotely through posting daily reminders or updates, directly messaging students, and managing scheduled assignments. Assignments can include quizzes, forms, links to websites/videos, and discussions for students to share ideas. In 2019, Schoology was acquired by PowerSchool, a student information system (SIS) owned by Vista Equity Partners, for an undisclosed amount.

Services
Schoology services include attendance records, online grade books, tests and quizzes, and homework drop boxes. The integration of social media facilitates collaboration within a class, group, or an entire school. The system can be integrated with existing school reporting and information systems and provides security, filters, and support which can be used proactively. The basic product is offered to individuals, schools, and districts free of charge. Revenue is primarily derived from premium add-ons such as customized branding, support packages, increased storage, single sign-on, and data integration with existing student information systems (SIS).

Schoology has partnered with other learning services such as McGraw-Hill Education and National Geographic Society Cengage.

History
Schoology was founded by Jeremy Friedman, Ryan Hwang and Tim Trinidad while they were studying at Washington University in St. Louis. Originally built and designed for sharing notes, Schoology was released commercially in August 2009. In June 2010, its first institutional round of venture capital funding of $1.25M was secured from Meakem Becker Venture Capital, following an angel investment in 2009 from an anonymous investor. As of October 2010, the service has more than 2,400 schools nationwide in its system and had plans to incorporate additional interactive content that teachers could use to supplement course materials and provide more access to parents. Enhancements have included text messages and push notifications, mobile apps for iOS and Android, integration with Google Drive and other services, a shared resources library, and a question importer for tests and quizzes. As of October 2019, it was reported that the service is used in over 60,000 schools. Due to the widespread transition to virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic, usage of Schoology has increased by 400%.

Advantages
According to a study conducted with elementary students of English in Colombia, Schoology "contributed positively to the writing skill development, throughout the integration of factors like the motivation, the proposal of attractive activities and the development of tasks inside the classroom as well as outside it". As a conclusion, "the students showed acceptance of the system and their willingness to learn improved."