LearnPlatform - Detailed Review
Education Tools
LearnPlatform - Product Overview
Overview
LearnPlatform is an education technology (edtech) effectiveness system that plays a crucial role in helping schools, universities, and educators evaluate and optimize their digital learning programs. Here’s a brief overview of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
LearnPlatform is designed to provide real-time, evidence-based data on the effectiveness of digital education programs. It helps educational institutions assess whether their chosen edtech tools are meeting the desired learning outcomes and identify areas for improvement.
Target Audience
The primary target audience for LearnPlatform includes K-12 districts, universities, and other educational institutions. It is particularly useful for educators, administrators, and decision-makers who need to evaluate and manage their education technology resources.
Key Features
EdTech Effectiveness System
LearnPlatform offers a comprehensive system that helps organize, streamline, and analyze education technology to create safer, more effective, and more equitable learning environments.
Real-Time Data and Insights
The platform provides real-time data on the usage and effectiveness of various edtech tools, enabling schools to make informed decisions about their technology investments.
Student Data Privacy Management
LearnPlatform includes tools for managing student data privacy, ensuring that educational institutions can protect sensitive student information while using digital learning tools.
IMPACT Rapid-Cycle Evaluation Engine
This feature allows for quick and continuous evaluation of edtech tools to determine their impact on student outcomes.
ESSA Aligned Tools
The platform includes tools aligned with the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), such as ESSA Evidence Badges, to help schools meet federal requirements.
Learning Analytics
LearnPlatform provides advanced learning analytics to help educators and administrators track student progress, identify learning gaps, and measure the effectiveness of their edtech investments.
By leveraging these features, LearnPlatform helps educational institutions make data-driven decisions, improve student outcomes, and ensure that their technology choices are aligned with their educational goals.
LearnPlatform - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of LearnPlatform
The user interface of LearnPlatform, a product by Instructure, is crafted to be intuitive and user-friendly, particularly for educators and district managers in the K-12 sector.
Interface and Features
LearnPlatform offers a unique interface that allows users to manage and track a wide array of educational apps and tools. Here are some key aspects of its interface:
Inventory and Tracking
Inventory and Tracking: The platform enables district managers to inventory their apps and track real-time usage through an innovative Chrome browser extension. This feature provides real-time and aggregate data on which apps are being used, facilitating data-driven decisions.
Custom Review Forms
Custom Review Forms: LearnPlatform includes a feature called Custom Review Forms, which allows organizations to build a centralized system for evaluating and capturing detailed feedback from all stakeholders involved in the vetting process of edtech tools. This feature streamlines the evaluation process, eliminating the need for external documents and emails.
Product Library Management
Product Library Management: Users can manage their product library by adding, editing, and configuring various details and resources for each product. The platform also supports custom tags, lists, filters, and column management, making it easier to organize and compare different products.
Workflow Automation
Workflow Automation: The platform is set to introduce Request Workflows, which will automate the sending of custom review forms, further enhancing the efficiency of the edtech vetting process.
Ease of Use
LearnPlatform is designed with ease of use in mind. Here are some points that highlight its usability:
User-Friendly Setup
User-Friendly Setup: The platform provides clear guides on setting up accounts, installing browser extensions, and configuring single-sign-on options, making the initial setup process straightforward.
Intuitive Dashboard
Intuitive Dashboard: The Inventory Dashboard and Product Library Management features are organized in a way that makes it easy for users to find and manage the information they need. The interface is structured to reduce the time spent on administrative tasks.
Efficient Data Analysis
Efficient Data Analysis: The real-time usage tracking and data visualization features allow users to quickly analyze which apps are generating the most return on investment, facilitating informed decision-making.
Overall User Experience
The overall user experience of LearnPlatform is focused on efficiency and data-driven decision-making. Here are some key points:
Centralized Hub
Centralized Hub: LearnPlatform acts as a centralized hub for edtech management, reducing the need for multiple external tools and documents. This centralization makes the vetting and evaluation process more streamlined and efficient.
Stakeholder Engagement
Stakeholder Engagement: The platform allows for detailed reviews and feedback from all stakeholders, ensuring that every department involved in the vetting process can contribute their expertise. This collaborative approach enhances the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the evaluation process.
Time-Saving
Time-Saving: By automating workflows and providing real-time data, LearnPlatform helps users save time that would otherwise be spent on manual tracking and evaluation. This time-saving aspect is crucial for educators and administrators who need to manage multiple tasks efficiently.
In summary, LearnPlatform’s user interface is designed to be user-friendly, efficient, and data-driven, making it an invaluable tool for managing and evaluating educational technology in K-12 settings.
LearnPlatform - Key Features and Functionality
LearnPlatform Overview
LearnPlatform, an education technology solution by Instructure, is designed to optimize the use of educational technology (edtech) in K-12 institutions through several key features and functionalities, some of which incorporate elements of AI and data analysis.Centralized District EdTech Library
LearnPlatform provides a centralized library where all approved edtech products are listed. This library helps in keeping track of what tools are available, safe, and compliant with current privacy standards. It ensures that teachers, staff, and parents have a single source of truth for all edtech resources.Customizable Evaluation and Approval Process
The platform allows districts to customize the evaluation process for edtech products. This includes creating customized request forms and workflows that ensure teachers’ voices are heard throughout the evaluation and approval process. This feature helps in making informed decisions about which tools to adopt.Rapid-Cycle Evaluation
LearnPlatform’s rapid-cycle evaluation technology is a crucial feature that uses data analysis to evaluate the effectiveness of edtech tools. It provides insights into usage, cost, and outcomes, helping districts identify gaps in license use or professional development. This feature also uncovers demographic-based outcomes trends, enabling districts to make data-driven decisions and improve implementations.Teacher Feedback and Engagement
The platform ensures that teachers’ feedback is gathered and considered during the evaluation process. This engagement helps in easing the burden on all stakeholders and makes the edtech adoption process more transparent and efficient.Data-Driven Insights and Budget Decisions
LearnPlatform’s IMPACT data empowers districts to make informed budget decisions by identifying areas where funding can be maximized for digital resources. This data helps in asking more questions, digging deeper into improvements, and identifying potential savings.AI and Data Analysis Integration
While LearnPlatform does not heavily emphasize AI in the same way as some other platforms, it does use data analysis and evidence-based insights to inform edtech decisions. The rapid-cycle evaluation and data-driven insights are key components that help districts optimize their edtech investments, though these are more based on data analytics rather than AI-specific technologies.Conclusion
In summary, LearnPlatform focuses on providing a structured and data-driven approach to managing and evaluating edtech tools, ensuring that districts can make informed decisions and optimize their educational technology investments. While AI is not the primary driver, the platform’s use of data analysis and evidence-based insights serves a similar purpose in enhancing educational outcomes. LearnPlatform - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating LearnPlatform’s Performance and Accuracy
Evaluating the performance and accuracy of LearnPlatform in the education tools category involves looking at several key aspects of its functionality and impact.
Data Collection and Analysis
LearnPlatform is known for its comprehensive data collection and analysis capabilities. It gathers data through its Inventory Dashboard, which integrates with browsers and mobile device management systems, providing transparent insights into the edtech tools used by students and educators. This data includes over 57 billion engagements across more than 9,000 education technology products, ensuring a broad and detailed view of edtech usage.
Engagement Metrics
The platform focuses on quantitative analysis of engagement, which helps in ranking the top 40 education technology products based on actual usage. This approach ensures that the rankings reflect real-world interactions between students, teachers, and the edtech tools, rather than just user sentiment or perceived effectiveness.
Compliance and Privacy
LearnPlatform is compliant with all federal and state student data privacy laws, including FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and PPRA. This ensures that the data collected and analyzed is handled securely and ethically, which is crucial for maintaining trust among educators, students, and parents.
Rapid-Cycle Evaluation
The platform’s rapid-cycle evaluation technology (IMPACT™ Analysis) is a significant strength. It allows districts to evaluate the effectiveness of edtech tools quickly, analyzing usage, cost, and outcomes. This helps in identifying gaps in license use, professional development needs, and demographic-based outcomes trends, enabling informed budget decisions and improved implementations.
User Feedback and Customization
LearnPlatform facilitates teacher feedback and customization of the evaluation process. It provides a centralized district edtech library, allows for customized evaluations, and ensures that teachers’ voices are heard through built-in tools for gathering feedback. This makes the platform more user-friendly and relevant to the specific needs of different educational institutions.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While LearnPlatform offers extensive insights, it does not reflect user sentiment, effectiveness, or utility beyond quantitative engagement metrics. This means that while it can tell you how often a tool is used, it may not provide a complete picture of how well the tool is liked or how effective it is in improving learning outcomes.
Another area for improvement could be in the integration of more qualitative feedback mechanisms. Currently, the platform relies heavily on quantitative data, which, while valuable, does not capture the full range of user experiences and perceptions.
Real-World Impact
Despite these limitations, LearnPlatform has shown significant real-world impact. For example, districts using the platform have identified positive effect sizes for specific interventions, such as a 0.5 positive effect size for a digital math intervention with English language learners. This allows for mid-year adjustments to implementations and confident budget decisions.
Conclusion
In summary, LearnPlatform performs well in terms of data collection, analysis, and compliance, and its rapid-cycle evaluation technology is particularly effective. However, there is room for improvement in incorporating more qualitative feedback to provide a more comprehensive view of edtech tool effectiveness.
LearnPlatform - Pricing and Plans
General Pricing
LearnPlatform does not publicly disclose a detailed tiered pricing structure on its website. However, it is mentioned that the costs are “well below $3/student,” which indicates an affordable pricing model.
Packages and Modules
The platform offers various packages and modules, and users can get a 10% discount on any package or module. This suggests a flexible pricing approach where schools and districts can choose the components that best fit their needs and budget.
Free Options
One of the notable free resources provided by LearnPlatform is the Edtech Inventory Dashboard. This dashboard is free for local educators and helps in discovering the holistic scope of edtech tools, reducing guesswork in edtech effectiveness, compliance, and costs. It includes features like easy-to-install browser and app extensions to collect access data quickly and securely.
Features Across Plans
While specific tiers are not detailed, here are some features that LearnPlatform generally offers:
- Edtech Effectiveness Evaluation: The platform helps in assessing the effectiveness of digital learning resources using a research-based approach.
- Usage Data and Tracking: It provides comprehensive cross-platform edtech engagement tracking via browser and app extensions, giving insights into product usage trends and rankings.
- Curriculum Mapping and Progress Monitoring: LearnPlatform integrates various learning tools, curriculum resources, and assessment systems, enabling schools to track student progress and personalize learning paths.
- Reporting Tools: The platform includes reporting tools for administrators to track educational performance, compliance, and resource allocation across the district.
- Collaboration Tools: It fosters collaboration among educators, allowing them to share best practices, lesson plans, and instructional strategies.
For more detailed and customized pricing information, it is recommended to contact the Partnerships Director, Rob Residori, or visit the LearnPlatform website to inquire about specific packages and modules that suit your educational institution’s needs.
LearnPlatform - Integration and Compatibility
Integrating LearnPlatform into Your Educational Technology Stack
When integrating LearnPlatform into your educational technology stack, several key aspects of compatibility and integration are important to consider.Platform Compatibility
LearnPlatform is designed to work seamlessly with various existing tools and systems within an educational setting. Here are some points of compatibility:EdTech Inventory Management
LearnPlatform helps organize and manage your edtech inventory, ensuring you know what tools are safe, available, and effective. This includes integrating with contract management, pilot programs, purchasing processes, and data privacy compliance.MDM and Content Filters
For organizations using Mobile Device Management (MDM) solutions like Jamf Pro, LearnPlatform can integrate to provide usage tracking for iOS apps. This allows for the management of processes and approval around these applications directly within LearnPlatform.Single Sign-On (SSO)
LearnPlatform supports Single Sign-On using SAML 2.0, enabling educators and staff to access the platform with a single login method. This simplifies access and ensures secure authentication.Device Compatibility
LearnPlatform is compatible across various devices and platforms:iOS Usage Tracking
The platform offers iOS usage tracking for organizations with compatible MDMs and Content Filters. This allows for the monitoring of usage events from both native and browser-based apps on iPads.Browser Extensions
LearnPlatform provides browser extensions that can be installed to track usage events from web-based applications, ensuring comprehensive monitoring across different platforms.Data Integration
To ensure smooth data flow, LearnPlatform can integrate with various data sources:Data Sources Integration
The platform allows you to add data sources such as Jamf credentials to the *Data Sources* tile, enabling the integration of information from different systems into a unified dashboard.Usage Dashboard
LearnPlatform provides a usage dashboard that helps in accessing and understanding the data collected from various integrated sources, giving insights into tool effectiveness and student outcomes.Compliance and Security
LearnPlatform also addresses critical issues of compliance and security:Data Privacy Compliance
The platform streamlines processes to ensure compliance with data privacy regulations, which is crucial for maintaining the security and integrity of user data. By ensuring these aspects of compatibility and integration, LearnPlatform helps educators and educational institutions manage their edtech environments more efficiently, saving time and improving student outcomes. LearnPlatform - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
For any questions or issues, users can reach out to LearnPlatform’s support team via email at support-lp@instructure.com. This direct line of communication ensures that users can get help promptly.
Product Library and Resources
LearnPlatform provides a comprehensive product library that contains over 7,000 educational tools, including websites, apps, games, and other software. Educators can search, filter, and request products through this library, which is accessible via the Products tab on the platform. The library allows educators to view product details, grade products, and compare them, making it easier to find the right tools for their needs.
Customization and Feedback
Administrators can customize product request forms to include specific questions relevant to their district. Additionally, the platform allows educators to provide feedback on the products they use, which helps in improving the overall quality and relevance of the tools available. The notes feature in Asset management enables administrators to share contextual information about products, facilitating better communication.
Chrome Extension
The LearnPlatform for Educators Chrome Extension is another valuable resource. This extension provides contextual product reviews and insights for educational websites, allowing teachers to access, grade, and provide real-time feedback on the EdTech products they use. It also enables educators to build and maintain a personal EdTech library and participate in a learning community to share feedback with fellow educators.
Workflows and Automation
LearnPlatform streamlines edtech processes by creating formalized workflows between administrators and teachers. While there is no in-product chat option, the platform allows for customized request forms and the use of notes to share information. This helps keep the communication centralized and efficient.
Analytics and Insights
The platform offers advanced analytics and insights through its rapid-cycle evaluation technology. This helps in identifying which tools are most effective, analyzing usage and cost, and uncovering demographic-based outcomes trends. These insights are crucial for making informed edtech budget decisions and improving implementations.
Tutorials and Guides
LearnPlatform provides various tutorials and guides to help users get the most out of the platform. The Help Center includes articles on how to set product statuses, customize request forms, and use other features effectively.
By leveraging these resources, educators and administrators can optimize their use of educational technology, ensure compliance with privacy standards, and make data-driven decisions to enhance teaching and learning outcomes.
LearnPlatform - Pros and Cons
Advantages
Centralized Management
LearnPlatform provides a centralized location for managing edtech products, allowing staff to view product evaluations, compare and request new tools, and ensure compliance with privacy standards.
Evidence-Based Insights
The platform offers rapid-cycle evaluation technology that provides insights into the effectiveness of edtech tools, including usage, cost, and outcomes analyses. This helps in making informed decisions about edtech investments and identifying gaps in license use or professional development.
Customization and Automation
LearnPlatform allows for customization of the evaluation process for each district, includes thoughtful automation, and gathers teacher feedback to engage and ease the burden on stakeholders.
Transparency and Efficiency
The platform ensures transparent and efficient edtech processes, making it easy for teachers to request new tools and stay informed throughout the evaluation process.
Support for Digital Equity
LearnPlatform helps advance digital equity goals by providing insights into demographic-based outcomes trends and effective methods to share, which aids in maximizing funding for digital resources.
Disadvantages
While the provided sources do not explicitly list disadvantages specific to LearnPlatform, some potential drawbacks can be inferred from the context of similar edtech management tools:
Limited Focus on Learning Content
Unlike Learning Management Systems (LMS), LearnPlatform may not focus on delivering learning content directly but rather on managing and evaluating edtech tools. This means it might not offer the same level of content management and tracking features as an LMS.
Dependence on IT and Administrative Support
Implementing and customizing LearnPlatform might require some IT and administrative support, which could be a challenge for organizations with limited resources.
Given the specific focus of LearnPlatform on edtech management and evaluation, it is essential to consider these points within the context of its intended use. If you need detailed information on learning content delivery, you might need to complement LearnPlatform with other tools like LMS or Learning Experience Platforms (LXP).
LearnPlatform - Comparison with Competitors
LearnPlatform
LearnPlatform is a comprehensive edtech platform that helps educators and administrators manage, implement, and measure the effectiveness of educational software and other digital tools. Here are some of its unique features:- Integration and Management: LearnPlatform allows schools to integrate and manage multiple educational software tools, providing a centralized platform for accessing and evaluating these resources.
- Impact Analysis: It offers tools to analyze the impact of various educational software on student outcomes, helping educators make informed decisions.
- Professional Development: The platform includes resources for professional development, ensuring teachers are equipped to effectively use the integrated tools.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Eduaide.Ai
Eduaide.Ai is an AI-assisted lesson-development tool that stands out for its extensive resource library and multi-language support. It allows educators to generate syllabi, discussion prompts, individualized education program plans, and more, with instant translation into over 15 languages. Unlike LearnPlatform, Eduaide.Ai is more focused on content creation and lesson planning rather than tool management and impact analysis.Curipod
Curipod enables teachers to create interactive lessons quickly using AI. It generates customized lessons with various activities such as polls, open-ended responses, and word clouds. This tool is more about creating interactive and engaging lessons rather than managing or analyzing educational software.Quizizz
Quizizz is known for its AI-enhanced quiz and lesson creation capabilities. It adjusts question difficulty based on student responses and includes features like grammar checking and real-world scenario redesign. Quizizz is more focused on personalized learning paths and interactive assessments, differing from LearnPlatform’s broader management and analysis functions.Smart Sparrow
Smart Sparrow is an adaptive e-learning platform that uses AI to personalize learning and provide real-time feedback. It focuses on interactive lessons and real-time feedback, which is different from LearnPlatform’s emphasis on tool management and impact analysis. Smart Sparrow is more about delivering personalized learning experiences rather than managing educational software.WorkRamp
WorkRamp is an AI learning platform that includes features like AI Assist for creating learning materials, AI Practice for role-playing simulations, and customizable learning paths. It integrates with various tools and offers interactive content and challenges. WorkRamp is more geared towards corporate training and sales enablement, but its AI features for content creation and personalized learning paths could be seen as an alternative for educational settings.Conclusion
While LearnPlatform excels in managing and analyzing educational software, other platforms like Eduaide.Ai, Curipod, Quizizz, Smart Sparrow, and WorkRamp offer unique AI-driven features that cater to different aspects of education, such as lesson planning, interactive learning, personalized feedback, and adaptive learning. The choice between these platforms depends on the specific needs of the educational institution, whether it is content creation, tool management, or personalized learning experiences. LearnPlatform - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about LearnPlatform
What is LearnPlatform and what does it do?
LearnPlatform is an edtech effectiveness system that helps K-12 education institutions improve teaching and learning outcomes through evidence-based insights. It provides a centralized platform for managing edtech products, evaluating their effectiveness, and ensuring compliance with privacy standards and regulatory requirements like the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).How does LearnPlatform help with edtech evaluation and decision-making?
LearnPlatform offers a rapid-cycle evaluation technology that provides insights into which edtech tools are effective based on usage, cost, and outcomes analyses. This helps districts make informed decisions about their edtech investments, identify gaps in license use or professional development, and uncover demographic-based outcomes trends.What features does LearnPlatform offer for managing edtech inventories?
LearnPlatform includes a centralized district edtech library where staff can view product evaluations, compare and request edtech products, and ensure that all products are approved for use and compliant with current privacy standards. It also streamlines processes such as contract management, pilots, purchasing, and data privacy compliance.How does LearnPlatform support compliance with ESSA and other regulatory requirements?
LearnPlatform’s Evidence-as-a-Service subscription helps edtech solution providers and districts meet ESSA compliance by building an evidence base for their products. This service aligns with the four levels of evidence outlined in ESSA, demonstrating rationale and identifying promising, moderate, or strong evidence that products positively impact student outcomes.Can LearnPlatform integrate with existing learning management systems (LMS)?
Yes, LearnPlatform can integrate with LMS solutions. For example, it provides insights into the tools most commonly accessed within Canvas, one of the widely used LMS platforms. This integration helps in managing and analyzing the use of various edtech tools within the LMS environment.How does LearnPlatform ensure data privacy and compliance?
LearnPlatform’s analysis and reports are compliant with all federal and state student data privacy laws, including FERPA, COPPA, CIPA, and PPRA. This ensures that the data collected and analyzed is safe and secure, adhering to strict privacy standards.What resources are available for implementing and rolling out LearnPlatform?
LearnPlatform provides a range of resources for implementation, including training decks for administrators and teachers, FAQs for educators, and videos on creating and sharing public-facing product libraries. These resources are designed to assist with the rollout and ensure successful adoption of the platform.How does LearnPlatform support teacher feedback and engagement?
LearnPlatform ensures that teachers’ voices are heard through built-in tools that gather teacher feedback. This helps in customizing evaluations for the district and engaging teachers throughout the evaluation process, making it easier for them to request new tools and stay informed about approved products.Can LearnPlatform help with budget decisions and financial planning?
Yes, LearnPlatform provides valuable evidence about the effectiveness of edtech investments, which can inform budget decisions and support long-range financial planning. The platform helps identify savings and maximize funding for digital resources to support student learning.How does LearnPlatform contribute to digital equity goals?
LearnPlatform helps advance digital equity goals by providing insights into which tools are effective for different demographics and identifying gaps in usage or outcomes. This enables districts to make more equitable decisions about edtech investments and ensure all students have access to effective technology. LearnPlatform - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of LearnPlatform
LearnPlatform stands out as a comprehensive and innovative solution in the education technology (edtech) sector, particularly for managing and evaluating edtech tools. Here’s a detailed look at who would benefit most from using it and an overall recommendation.
Key Benefits
Efficient EdTech Management
LearnPlatform helps educators and school districts manage the overwhelming number of edtech tools they use. On average, school districts employ over 1,000 edtech tools monthly, and LearnPlatform streamlines processes such as contract management, pilots, purchasing, and data privacy compliance.
Evidence-Based Decisions
The platform provides educators with the insights they need to make informed decisions about which edtech tools are safe, effective, and aligned with learning objectives. This is achieved through a community-driven approach where educators share their experiences and evaluations of various edtech products.
Cost Savings
By automating procurement processes and providing detailed usage and effectiveness data, LearnPlatform helps schools identify significant cost savings. Administrators have reported savings of 20-60% in the first 90 days of using the platform.
Improved Student Outcomes
The platform’s rapid-cycle evaluation technology allows schools to analyze which tools are most effective in improving student outcomes. This includes identifying gaps in license use, professional development needs, and demographic-based outcomes trends.
Who Would Benefit Most
Educators and Teachers
LearnPlatform is invaluable for teachers who need to evaluate and choose the best edtech tools for their classrooms. The platform provides real-time insights and product reviews from thousands of educators, helping teachers make informed decisions about which tools to use.
School Administrators
Administrators benefit from the streamlined processes, cost savings, and data-driven insights that help in making better budgeting and instructional decisions. The platform reduces the burden of managing multiple vendor sales calls and ensures compliance with privacy standards.
School Districts
Districts can centralize their edtech library, customize evaluations, and ensure that teachers’ voices are heard in the decision-making process. This helps in advancing digital equity goals and maximizing the funding for digital resources.
Overall Recommendation
LearnPlatform is highly recommended for any educational institution looking to optimize their edtech ecosystem. It offers a single, unified platform where educators can organize, evaluate, and make informed decisions about edtech tools. The platform’s ability to save time, reduce costs, and improve student outcomes makes it an essential tool for schools aiming to leverage technology effectively.
By using LearnPlatform, educators and administrators can ensure that they are using the safest, most effective technology available, thereby enhancing the learning environment for all students. The platform’s community-driven approach and evidence-based insights make it a reliable and trustworthy solution in the edtech sector.