Clever - Detailed Review
Education Tools
Clever - Product Overview
Primary Function
Clever serves as a unified platform for identity, access, security, and classroom engagement. It centralizes all the digital tools and resources needed for learning, making it easier for students, teachers, and staff to access the applications they require.Target Audience
The primary target audience of Clever includes students, teachers, and administrative staff in K-12 schools. The platform is designed to meet the needs of the entire school community, ensuring that every user has secure and easy access to educational resources.Key Features
Single Sign-On and Identity Management
Clever provides a single sign-on feature, allowing users to access all their educational applications with just one login. This eliminates the need to remember multiple usernames and passwords. The platform also offers identity and access management, ensuring that all identities within the school community are secure and well-managed.Centralized Resource Access
The Clever Portal centralizes all resources for the district, including apps like Newsela or Reading A-Z, and links such as IT support forms or school schedules. This ensures that users have one-click access to all the tools and links they need.Analytics and Insights
Clever Analytics offers tools to track edtech usage, providing insights into how students and teachers engage with digital learning tools. This includes features like Portal Analytics, Class Analytics, and Participation and Resource Usage Reports, all of which help in making informed decisions about edtech adoption and usage.Security and Data Management
The platform employs a layered security approach to protect user identities and data. It also integrates with student information systems to ensure that all data is up-to-date and securely synchronized.Customization and Support
Teachers can customize the student experience using teacher pages with links, applications, and PDFs. Additionally, Clever offers tools for troubleshooting login issues, helping teachers and staff resolve problems quickly and efficiently. Overall, Clever streamlines digital learning by providing a secure, integrated, and user-friendly platform that meets the diverse needs of K-12 schools. Clever - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Clever
The user interface of Clever, an education-focused single sign-on (SSO) solution, is designed to be intuitive, user-friendly, and highly accessible for students, teachers, and staff.Single Sign-On and Personalized Portals
Clever provides a single username and password that grants access to all connected educational resources, eliminating the need for multiple logins. This SSO feature ensures that students see only the resources relevant to them, personalized based on data from the school’s student information system (SIS).Ease of Use
The interface is streamlined to make it easy for users to find and access the resources they need. For example, teachers can add, delete, and organize educational resources such as apps, links, and documents with just a few clicks. This one-click organization simplifies the teaching process and reduces time spent on technical issues.Customizable and Organized Classrooms
Teachers can customize their digital classrooms using “Teacher Pages,” where they can add relevant links, apps, and PDFs. This feature helps in maintaining an organized and personalized learning environment for each student.Fast and Secure Logins
Clever offers fast and secure logins, including the use of Clever Badges for younger students, which makes the login process fun and efficient. This approach reduces the number of usernames and passwords students need to remember, thereby enhancing security and reducing the risk of cybersecurity threats.Analytics and Troubleshooting
The platform includes analytics and troubleshooting tools that allow teachers to see who is logged in and identify students who might need extra help. School Tech Leads can also use these tools to quickly resolve edtech issues, such as login problems, by accessing the portal as a user.User Experience
The overall user experience is centered around creating an equitable and inclusive learning environment. Clever’s digital classroom solution integrates technology seamlessly into the curriculum, making it accessible, safe, and secure. The platform is designed to help teachers focus on delivering engaging lessons rather than managing technical logistics.Conclusion
In summary, Clever’s user interface is designed for simplicity, security, and ease of use, ensuring that both teachers and students can engage with educational resources efficiently and effectively. Clever - Key Features and Functionality
Clever: An Identity Platform for Education
Clever is an identity platform specifically crafted for the education sector, offering several key features that integrate technology to enhance learning, security, and administrative efficiency. Here are the main features and how they work:Secure All Identities
Clever employs a layered security approach to manage identity and access for the entire school community. This ensures that all student, teacher, and staff identities are secure, protecting sensitive data and maintaining compliance with educational data privacy standards.One Integration That Works Everywhere
Clever provides a centralized platform where all necessary data and accounts for digital learning are connected. This single sign-on (SSO) system allows students, teachers, and staff to access all supported applications with just one username and password, reducing data errors and strengthening data security.Power Classroom Learning
Clever’s platform offers a single, secure place for teachers and students to access the educational applications they need. This centralized portal streamlines the process of managing multiple digital resources, making it easier for educators to focus on instruction and for students to engage in learning activities.Automated Administrative Tasks
While Clever itself does not automate administrative tasks like grading or scheduling directly, it integrates with various educational applications that do. For example, Clever can connect schools with tools like Gradescope for automated grading and other AI-driven administrative support systems, helping to reduce the workload on educators.Data Management and Privacy
Clever ensures that student data is used only for educational purposes and is protected with stringent security measures. The platform provides transparency, visibility, and control over data sharing, which is crucial for maintaining student data privacy.Lightning-Fast Rollouts
Clever’s Secure Sync Rostering feature allows schools to quickly roll out and manage applications with automated rostering, which can be completed in about a day. This rapid deployment helps schools to efficiently integrate new educational tools into their curriculum.AI Integration
While Clever itself is not an AI-driven product, it facilitates the integration of AI-powered educational applications. By connecting schools with a wide range of educational tools, Clever enables the use of AI in various aspects of education, such as personalized learning, adaptive learning platforms, and automated administrative tasks. This integration supports a more efficient, inclusive, and adaptive learning environment.Support and Training
Clever offers extensive support, including a help center, on-demand training, and a world-class onboarding and support team. This ensures that schools can efficiently roll out the platform and that educators can use it effectively with minimal disruption.Conclusion
In summary, Clever’s main features focus on securing identities, centralizing access to educational resources, and facilitating the integration of various educational applications, including those that leverage AI to enhance learning and administrative processes. Clever - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the Performance and Accuracy of Clever
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of Clever, an AI-powered educational tool, involves examining its features, technological backbone, and the challenges it addresses, as well as its limitations.
Performance
Clever is built using advanced AI and backend technologies, which enable several key features that enhance the learning experience. Here are some highlights:
- Flashcard Generation: Clever can automatically create flashcards from uploaded notes or course materials, making study sessions more efficient.
- Question & Answer System: The tool can provide accurate answers to questions based on the uploaded content, leveraging OpenAI models and vector databases.
- Text-to-Speech: It converts text content into audio, allowing students to listen to their study materials on the go.
- Quiz Assistance: Clever can analyze uploaded quiz images and provide the correct answers based on the content.
These features are supported by a blend of technologies including TiDB Serverless with Vector Search, OpenAI models, and a Raspberry Pi cluster, ensuring scalability and efficiency.
Accuracy
The accuracy of Clever is heavily dependent on the quality of the data it is trained on and the fine-tuning of its models. Here are some points to consider:
- Data Quality: Clever’s performance is as good as the data it has been trained with. Ensuring that the training data is representative and unbiased is crucial for accurate results.
- Context Relevance: One of the significant challenges faced during the development of Clever was optimizing the context relevance of the answers provided by the vector database. This required fine-tuning sentence-splitting techniques and adjusting the model’s training parameters.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Clever offers several innovative features, there are some limitations and areas where it can be improved:
- Human Touch: Clever, like other AI tools in education, cannot replace the human touch and the relationships built through teaching. It lacks the social and emotional intelligence that teachers provide.
- Data Bias: If the data used to train Clever’s AI models is biased, it could lead to biased responses or evaluations, which can have harmful outcomes.
- Creativity and Original Thinking: Clever is not capable of teaching creativity or helping students develop original ideas, as these tasks require human interaction and diverse thinking.
- Real-time Feedback: While Clever can provide answers and assistance, it cannot offer real-time feedback with the same sensitivity and nuance as a human teacher.
- Lecture Delivery: Clever cannot deliver engaging lectures or replicate a teacher’s passion for the subject matter, which is crucial for forming students’ opinions and knowledge.
Engagement
Clever enhances engagement by making learning more accessible and efficient. Here’s how:
- Interactive Study Sessions: Clever can turn any document or image into an interactive study session, which can keep students engaged and motivated.
- User-Friendly Design: The tool has a user-friendly design that blends advanced AI with an intuitive interface, making it easier for students to use and engage with the material.
In summary, Clever performs well in simplifying and enhancing the learning experience through its AI-driven features, but it has limitations, particularly in areas that require human interaction, creativity, and real-time feedback. Ensuring the quality and representativeness of the training data is crucial for maintaining accuracy.
Clever - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Plans
Clever offers two main pricing plans for its education tools:1. Secure Sync Enterprise
- This plan is priced at $16.00 per month per school.
- It includes features such as student and teacher profiles, class roster data, and the ability to use the service at scale.
2. Secure Sync
- This plan is priced at $19.00 per month per school.
- It also includes student and teacher profiles, class roster data, and other features similar to the Enterprise plan, but with some differences in the scope of use.
Custom Plan
- Clever also offers a custom plan that can be tailored to the specific needs of the customer. This plan’s pricing would need to be quoted based on individual requirements.
Free Options
- Clever does not offer a free plan for its core services. However, there are some free tools and features available:
- Clever Analytics: This tool is provided free of charge and allows schools to gain insights into edtech engagement, including usage data, participation reports, and resource usage. It includes features like edtech analytics, portal analytics, participation and resource usage reports, and class analytics.
Clever - Integration and Compatibility
Clever: A Leader in Education Technology
Clever, a leading platform in the education technology sector, is renowned for its seamless integration and broad compatibility across various tools, platforms, and devices. Here’s a detailed look at how Clever achieves this:
Integration with Educational Systems
Clever integrates effortlessly with a wide range of educational systems, including Student Information Systems (SIS) and Learning Management Systems (LMS). This integration is facilitated through the use of application programming interfaces (APIs), which enable the secure sharing of data between schools and their selected educational applications.
Data Interoperability
Clever ensures data accuracy and consistency by automatically syncing data between different systems. This creates a “one source of truth” for educational data, allowing educators and administrators to make informed decisions based on standardized and consistent data.
Compatibility with Popular Educational Applications
Clever works seamlessly with many popular educational applications such as Google Classroom, Zoom, and McGraw Hill. This compatibility is achieved through rostering and single sign-on (SSO) capabilities, making it easy for students, teachers, and staff to access the tools they need without multiple logins.
Device and Platform Compatibility
Clever’s platform is highly versatile and can be accessed from a variety of devices. It supports integration with multiple operating systems, including Android, Windows, iOS, and Chrome devices. This ensures that users can access their educational tools from any device they prefer.
Secure and Automated Data Integration
By integrating once with Clever, application partners can securely sync data and roll out their applications in over 100,000 schools globally within 24 hours of being certified. This process simplifies the technical implementation for edtech companies, allowing them to focus on delivering learning experiences rather than worrying about data integration.
Single Sign-On and Rostering
Clever offers single sign-on (SSO) and automated rostering, which simplifies the process of managing user accounts and access. This feature ensures that accounts are automatically provisioned and available through SSO, making login easy for students of all ages, even with the use of Clever Badges.
Conclusion
In summary, Clever’s integration capabilities and compatibility across different platforms and devices make it an indispensable tool for K-12 schools. It streamlines data management, enhances security, and provides a unified platform for accessing various educational applications, thereby facilitating a more efficient and secure digital learning environment.
Clever - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Clever provides multiple avenues for support to cater to different needs and preferences:Standard Support
All Clever schools have access to phone and web support from Monday to Friday, 7am-8pm ET. Additionally, there is 24/7 access to the help center and Clever Academy, which offers on-demand training and resources.
Premium Support
For schools requiring specialized services, Clever offers dedicated 24/7 support. This includes emergency support for critical issues like outages or security problems. Premium Support also features dedicated case management, where a specific team works on all cases for the district, ensuring fast and efficient issue resolution. The service level objective for the first reply is within 3 hours, and users have access to priority email and phone support along with a case management portal.
Additional Resources
Clever provides a wealth of resources to support various stakeholders, including teachers, families, and administrators:Teacher Resources
Teachers can access tools for digital instruction, step-by-step instructions for helping students log in, and messaging features to communicate with students individually. Clever also offers webinars and events to help teachers set up and maintain their classrooms effectively.
Family Resources
Families can use resources to support their children’s learning at home. This includes step-by-step login instructions available in six languages, remote learning checklists, and a Family Portal handout to help families use the Clever Family Portal once invited by the district.
Clever Academy
This is an on-demand training platform that offers a range of modules, including administrative checklists, LMS integration content, and thought leadership modules. It is designed to support districts in successfully implementing Clever and preparing for the school year.
Blog and Resource Hub
Clever’s blog and resource hub provide articles and guides on various topics such as K-12 cybersecurity, edtech vendor security evaluation, and tips for using Clever tools effectively. These resources help administrators, teachers, and families make informed decisions and optimize their use of Clever’s tools.
By offering these comprehensive support options and resources, Clever ensures that users can leverage their platform efficiently and effectively, enhancing the educational experience for all stakeholders.
Clever - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Centralized Platform
Clever provides a centralized platform where teachers, students, and administrators can access all the necessary educational resources, including textbook links, benchmark tests, and other management tools, in one place.
Organization and Accessibility
It allows teachers to create and organize online learning resources based on multiple categories such as subject, grade level, and student reviews. This makes it easier for students and teachers to find and use the resources they need.
Engagement and Feedback
Clever’s digital learning module enables educators to create virtual spaces for subjects or projects, track student logins, and generate student engagement reports. This helps in monitoring student activity and engagement levels.
Parental Involvement
The family portal feature allows parents to gain visibility into their children’s learning processes and establish two-way communication with teachers, fostering better parental involvement.
Administrative Efficiency
Administrators can automatically create, archive, and update school accounts across students, teachers, and other staff, streamlining administrative tasks.
Disadvantages
Technical Issues
Some users have reported that the automatic uploading of classes into each platform is not always seamless, which can cause minor technical issues.
Login Limitations
Users have expressed a desire for more login options beyond just Clever and Google, which could enhance convenience and flexibility.
Cost
Clever does not offer a free trial or a free version, and the starting price is $12 per month, which might be a consideration for some schools or districts with limited budgets.
Overall, Clever is highly regarded for its ability to organize and centralize educational resources, enhance student engagement, and facilitate communication between teachers, students, and parents. However, it does come with some minor technical and logistical drawbacks that users should be aware of.
Clever - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Clever
Clever is distinguished by its comprehensive integration capabilities and robust security features. Here are some key aspects:- Seamless Interoperability: Clever integrates effortlessly with a broad network of edtech partners, making it easy to rollout applications and drive usage with secure access.
- Layered Security: It includes multi-factor authentication and rigorous identity management to protect sensitive information, ensuring a secure educational environment.
- Data Analytics: Clever provides a unified dashboard for all edtech data, enabling schools to make data-driven decisions and inform purchasing, training, and strategic decisions.
- Extensive Support: Clever offers extensive support and resources to help schools maximize the use of digital tools effectively.
Potential Alternatives and Comparisons
Learning Genie
Learning Genie is another tool that focuses on assessment, AI-powered lesson planning, data reporting, and family engagement. Unlike Clever, Learning Genie is more centered on the classroom and family interaction, providing insights into student progress and personalized learning plans. However, it lacks the broad integration and security features that Clever offers.Smart Sparrow
Smart Sparrow is an adaptive e-learning platform that uses AI to personalize learning and provide real-time feedback. While it excels in personalizing learning experiences, it does not offer the same level of integration with school systems or the comprehensive security features that Clever provides.Coursera
Coursera is a leading online learning platform that uses AI to personalize learning experiences and recommend courses. Unlike Clever, Coursera is more focused on higher education and professional development, offering a vast array of courses from top universities. It does not have the same level of integration with school networks or the security features that Clever offers.MagicSchool
MagicSchool is an AI platform that helps with lesson planning, differentiation, and communication. It is more focused on teacher assistance and student learning tools rather than the broad integration and security that Clever provides. MagicSchool promotes responsible AI literacy and aids in learning without replacing critical-thinking skills, but it does not match Clever’s scope in terms of school-wide data management and security.Wonde
Wonde is a competitor to Clever in terms of data management and integration. While Wonde provides a direct link to school data through Management Information Systems (MIS) and adheres to ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 standards, it does not offer the same level of seamless integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS) or the comprehensive analytics that Clever does.Conclusion
Clever stands out for its ability to integrate with a wide range of edtech tools, its strong security features, and its comprehensive data analytics. While other tools like Learning Genie, Smart Sparrow, Coursera, MagicSchool, and Wonde offer valuable services in specific areas such as personalized learning, adaptive education, and data management, Clever’s holistic approach to enhancing digital learning experiences and securing school data makes it a unique and valuable choice for educational institutions. Clever - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Clever
What is Clever and what does it do?
Clever is a platform that powers digital learning for K-12 schools. It provides a single, secure place for teachers and students to access the applications they need. Clever’s identity platform secures all identities, controls data, and enhances classroom learning by integrating all the necessary data and accounts in one centralized platform.How does Clever improve classroom learning?
Clever streamlines the learning process by providing a single sign-on platform where students and teachers can access all their digital resources with just one username and password. This reduces data errors, strengthens data security, and makes managing edtech easier. It also allows for quick rollouts and management of applications through secure, automated rostering.How does Clever ensure cybersecurity and data privacy?
Clever employs a layered security approach to provide identity and access management for the entire school community. The platform is designed with student data privacy as a top priority, ensuring that schools can help students achieve academic success without worrying about data security. Clever also offers resources and training to help schools protect digital identities.How can AI tools integrated with Clever benefit teachers and students?
AI tools integrated with Clever can significantly streamline teachers’ work by automating time-consuming tasks such as generating progress reports, drafting emails, and providing personalized learning experiences. This allows teachers to focus more on one-on-one interactions with students, personalizing lessons, and providing targeted feedback. AI can save teachers a substantial amount of time, potentially reducing weekly preparation hours from 11 to 6 hours.Are teachers prepared to use AI tools in the classroom?
While many teachers and administrators believe AI will have a significant impact on teaching, there is still uncertainty and confusion about how to prepare schools for this transformation. A survey by Clever found that 49% of educators expressed concerns that AI will make their jobs more challenging, and 89% of districts do not currently offer AI-focused professional development. Schools are encouraged to provide comprehensive training on AI tools to address these concerns.How does Clever facilitate the integration of new educational applications?
Clever makes it easy to roll out and manage new educational applications through its secure, automated rostering process. This can be done quickly, often in about a day, and ensures that students and teachers have seamless access to the resources they need. The platform also supports a wide range of leading education applications, such as Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, McGraw Hill Education, and Google.What kind of support does Clever offer to schools and educators?
Clever provides extensive support to schools, including an extensive help center, on-demand training, and a world-class onboarding and support team. This ensures that schools can efficiently roll out Clever and address any issues that may arise. Additionally, Clever involves teachers in the development of professional development frameworks to ensure the technology aligns with their specific needs.How does Clever ensure accessibility for all students?
Clever’s platform is designed to be accessible for all students. The Secure Sync Rostering and the Clever Portal are free for schools, and the platform allows for single sign-on access to all digital resources, making it easier for students to access the tools they need regardless of their device or browser.Can Clever be used on various devices and browsers?
Yes, Clever can be accessed on any device or browser. Students and teachers can log in to the Clever Portal using a single username and password, and the platform dynamically updates to show only the applications relevant to the student’s campus and grade level.How does Clever handle the involvement of teachers in AI implementation?
Clever emphasizes the importance of involving teachers in the decision-making process when adopting AI technologies. Teachers are encouraged to participate in designing frameworks for AI implementation, which fosters a sense of ownership and ensures that the technology is used effectively to enhance teaching and learning outcomes. Clever - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Clever in the Education Tools AI-Driven Product Category
Clever is a comprehensive digital classroom solution that stands out for its ability to streamline educational resource access, enhance security, and facilitate effective communication and feedback. Here’s a detailed look at who would benefit most from using Clever and an overall recommendation.Key Benefits
Single Sign-On (SSO) and Resource Organization
Clever provides a centralized platform where students, teachers, and administrative staff can access multiple learning applications with a single set of login credentials. This eliminates the hassle of forgotten passwords and makes it easier for students to stay organized and focused.
Enhanced Security
Clever prioritizes security with a layered security approach, ensuring that schools can control and oversee how and where their data is used. This includes comprehensive identity and access management for the entire school community.
Teacher Tools and Feedback
The platform offers tools for teachers to give feedback, monitor student progress, and communicate with parents. It also integrates advanced analytics and messaging features to help teachers identify students who need extra support.
Inclusivity and Accessibility
Clever aims to create a more equitable and inclusive learning environment by making educational resources accessible from any location with an internet connection. This is particularly beneficial for schools looking to integrate technology into their curriculum in a safe and secure manner.
Who Would Benefit Most
Teachers
Clever significantly reduces administrative workload by automating tasks such as lesson planning, communication, and resource organization. This allows teachers to focus more on building relationships with their students and delivering engaging lessons.
Students
Students benefit from easy access to all their educational resources in one place, reducing the time spent on logging in and increasing the time available for learning.
Administrators
School administrators can better manage and secure their school’s digital environment through Clever’s identity management and analytical insights. This helps in making informed decisions with standardized and consistent data across all systems.
Overall Recommendation
Clever is highly recommended for schools and educational institutions looking to enhance their digital learning experiences. Here are some key reasons:
Ease of Use
The platform is user-friendly, allowing teachers and students to easily manage and access educational resources.
Security
Clever’s strong focus on security ensures that data is protected and managed responsibly.
Inclusivity
It promotes an inclusive learning environment by making resources accessible to all students.
Teacher Support
The tools provided help teachers in managing their workload and improving student engagement.
Overall, Clever is an excellent choice for any educational setting aiming to leverage technology to improve learning outcomes, streamline processes, and ensure a secure digital environment.