MasteryConnect - Detailed Review
Education Tools
MasteryConnect - Product Overview
Introduction to MasteryConnect
MasteryConnect is a comprehensive K–12 digital assessment management system and curriculum platform that helps educators assess and track student learning in a clear and intuitive way.Primary Function
The primary function of MasteryConnect is to enable teachers to efficiently determine what students know and do not know, based on core standards. It focuses on tracking student mastery of specific standards through various assessment types, including formative and benchmark assessments.Target Audience
MasteryConnect is designed for K–12 educators, including teachers, administrators, and parents. It provides tools for teachers to manage assessments, track student progress, and adjust instruction. Administrators can use it to monitor school and district performance, while parents can access reports to stay informed about their child’s progress.Key Features
Trackers
MasteryConnect uses trackers to display student mastery levels against specific standards. These trackers show standards, the number of assessments related to each standard, and student mastery results, often indicated by colors: red (remediation), yellow (near mastery), and green (mastery).Assessments
The system supports both online and offline assessments. Teachers can create assessments from item banks or documents, and students can take these assessments online or using bubble sheets. Assessments can be aligned with specific standards, and teachers can set proficiency targets and measure growth.Reports
MasteryConnect generates detailed reports for teachers, administrators, and parents. These reports include individual student reports, classroom reports, and aggregate reports for district or state-level use. Reports help identify areas where students need intervention and allow teachers to adjust their instruction accordingly.Curriculum Planning
The platform allows educators to create and share curriculum maps, lesson plans, and other resources aligned with specific standards. This helps in streamlining curriculum planning and ensuring consistency across the district.Integration with Canvas
MasteryConnect integrates seamlessly with Canvas, a learning management system. This integration enables teachers to launch assessments directly from Canvas, export assessment scores to the Canvas Gradebook, and provide a more personalized learning experience.Collaboration and Resource Sharing
Teachers can share assessments, data, and resources through the MasteryConnect community. The platform also supports professional learning communities with online discussion tools, making it easier for teachers to collaborate and share best practices.Additional Benefits
Real-Time Data
Teachers can input scores from various assessments, and the data appears in real-time, helping them quickly identify students who need more attention.Resource Management
Educators can collect, share, and pin standards-aligned resources to playlists, making it easier to access and distribute instructional materials.Single Sign-On and SIS Integration
MasteryConnect supports single sign-on and integrates with student information systems, simplifying the process of managing student data.Overall, MasteryConnect is a powerful tool that helps educators improve their assessment-instruction feedback loops, streamline curriculum planning, and enhance student learning outcomes.
MasteryConnect - User Interface and Experience
User Interface and Experience Enhancements
The user interface and experience of MasteryConnect, an assessment management system for K-12 education, have been enhanced to provide a more personalized, accessible, and efficient experience for both students and educators.
Student Experience
Customization
Customization: Students can now customize their assessment experience with an updated user interface. This includes the ability to choose a high-contrast theme, update the font size, use zoom, access full-screen mode, and review questions. These features are part of the new Enhanced Accommodations, which are available for assessments built with the updated content.
Accessibility
Accessibility: The new interface includes several accessibility features, ensuring that students can take assessments in a way that is most comfortable and accessible for them. For example, students can adjust the display settings to better suit their needs.
Familiarity
Familiarity: Assessments authored prior to the update will remain on the *Classic MC Student* interface, but educators have the option to clone and update these assessments to include the new features.
Educator Experience
Streamlined Assessment Creation
Streamlined Assessment Creation: The platform has introduced a new draft state for assessments, allowing educators to start assessments as drafts and save changes automatically. This feature enables quick return to incomplete work and includes an inline item authoring experience. Draft items must be finalized before the assessment can be published.
Integration with Canvas
Integration with Canvas: MasteryConnect is now more seamlessly integrated with Canvas, allowing admins, teachers, and students to access MasteryConnect directly from the Canvas global left navigation. This integration simplifies the process of creating and managing assessments within the Canvas environment.
Secure Benchmark Mode
Secure Benchmark Mode: District leaders can now hide questions, answer keys, and assessment materials from school administrators and teachers before, during, and after benchmark delivery. This feature enhances the validity of benchmarks across the district.
Item Bank Updates
Item Bank Updates: The Certica Navigate and Inspect Item Banks have been updated to provide access to more high-quality items, supporting the new accommodations in the MC Student Experience.
Ease of Use
User-Friendly Interface
User-Friendly Interface: The updates aim to make the user experience more intuitive. For instance, the new global navigation bar and assessment index navigation bar simplify the process of creating and managing assessments. Features like the draft state for assessments and the ability to convert Classic Quizzes from Canvas into draft assessments in MasteryConnect reduce the time spent on assessment preparation.
Real-Time Data Access
Real-Time Data Access: Educators can access real-time actionable data and track student results at the class, district, and school levels using dashboards. This real-time access helps in making informed instructional decisions.
Overall User Experience
Personalization and Flexibility
Personalization and Flexibility: MasteryConnect allows for a highly personalized learning experience. Educators can create personalized playlists and share them with intervention groups, classes, and team members. Students can take ownership of their learning through customizable assessment settings.
Efficiency
Efficiency: The platform is designed to save users’ time by streamlining assessment creation, delivery, and analysis. Features such as default core settings and simplified benchmark delivery processes contribute to a more efficient user experience.
In summary, MasteryConnect’s user interface is designed to be user-friendly, accessible, and efficient, providing both students and educators with a seamless and personalized experience in managing and taking assessments.
MasteryConnect - Key Features and Functionality
MasteryConnect Overview
MasteryConnect is a comprehensive K-12 digital assessment management system that offers a wide range of features to support educators, students, and parents. Here are the main features and how they function:Standards Based Grading
MasteryConnect aligns assessments with academic standards for every state, subject, and class. This ensures that student progress is measured against specific learning objectives, providing clear insights into student mastery levels.Formative and Benchmark Assessments
The system supports both formative and benchmark assessments, which can be document-based or item-based. These assessments can be taken online or offline via bubble sheets, allowing flexibility in assessment administration. Teachers and administrators can create assessments from documents or items in an item bank.Data Analytics
MasteryConnect provides advanced data analytics tools that help educators track student performance in real-time. This data is presented in intuitive, visual ways, making it easier to identify areas where students need additional support or intervention.Student Performance Tracking
The platform includes trackers that display standards, the number of assessments related to each standard, and student mastery results. These results are color-coded (red for remediation, yellow for near mastery, and green for mastery) to give a clear visual representation of student progress.Customizable Assessments
Teachers can create custom assessments using items from an item bank or by authoring their own questions. This customization allows for targeted assessments that align with specific learning objectives.Item Banks
MasteryConnect offers access to item banks, which are collections of assessment questions aligned with academic standards. This feature helps teachers quickly create assessments without having to develop every question from scratch.Rubric Scoring and Automated Grading
The system supports rubric scoring and automated grading, which streamline the grading process and reduce the workload for teachers. This ensures that feedback is provided quickly and accurately.Real-Time Feedback
MasteryConnect enables teachers to provide real-time feedback to students. This immediate feedback helps students understand their strengths and weaknesses, facilitating quicker adjustments to their learning strategies.Mobile Access
The platform offers mobile applications for both teachers and students, allowing access to assessments, reports, and other resources on the go. This enhances flexibility and accessibility for all users.Integration With LMS
MasteryConnect integrates seamlessly with Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas. This integration allows teachers to link assignments and assessments directly from their Canvas account, simplifying the assessment process and ensuring a cohesive experience.Teacher Collaboration
The system facilitates collaboration among teachers through features like team data collaboration tools and the ability to share instructional resources. This helps in aligning teaching strategies and improving overall instructional effectiveness.Parent and Student Portals
MasteryConnect includes dedicated portals for parents and students. These portals allow parents to view their child’s reports and progress, while students can access their own assessment results and learning materials.Secure Testing Environment
The platform ensures a secure testing environment, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of assessments. This feature is particularly important for high-stakes testing scenarios.Progress Monitoring and Differentiated Instruction
MasteryConnect allows for continuous progress monitoring, enabling teachers to adjust their instruction based on real-time data. The system also supports differentiated instruction by providing tools to create personalized playlists and intervention groups.Professional Development Resources
The platform offers resources for professional development, helping educators improve their assessment and teaching practices. This includes access to community resources and support from MasteryConnect staff.Reporting Tools
Teachers and administrators can generate various reports, including individual student reports, class reports, and administrative reports. These reports can be viewed, printed, or emailed, making it easy to communicate student progress to all stakeholders.AI Integration
While the sources do not explicitly detail the integration of AI in MasteryConnect, the system’s advanced data analytics, automated grading, and real-time feedback suggest a sophisticated use of technology to support educational assessment and instruction. However, specific AI-driven features are not highlighted in the available information. MasteryConnect - Performance and Accuracy
MasteryConnect Overview
MasteryConnect is a comprehensive assessment management system that has several strengths and some areas for improvement, particularly in the context of performance and accuracy in the education tools category.
Performance
MasteryConnect performs well in several key areas:
- Real-Time Data and Reporting: The platform provides real-time data on student performance, allowing educators to track progress against state standards effectively. This feature is crucial for identifying learning gaps and ensuring students achieve mastery in key subject areas.
- User-Friendly Interface: The system is praised for its intuitive interface, which simplifies the creation of both formative and summative assessments. This makes it easier for teachers to manage and analyze assessments without needing extensive technical expertise.
- Standards-Based Assessment: MasteryConnect is highly effective in tracking student mastery of specific standards. It offers detailed reporting tools that help educators see student progress in an intuitive, visual way, which is essential for data-driven instruction.
- Student Engagement: The platform allows students to own their data, seeing their progress and knowing where they stand. This can enhance student engagement and motivation as they have a clear view of their learning journey.
Accuracy
In terms of accuracy, MasteryConnect has several positive aspects:
- ESSA-Validated: The platform is validated in alignment with ESSA Level IV Evidence, indicating that it is research-based and outcomes-focused. This validation suggests a high level of accuracy in measuring student learning outcomes.
- Detailed Reporting: The reporting tools provide accurate and actionable data on student understanding of academic standards. This helps educators identify which students need intervention and which standards may need reteaching in real time.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
Despite its strengths, MasteryConnect has some limitations:
- Assessment Creation Tools: Many users find the assessment creation tools to be clunky and inflexible, particularly when trying to create more complex or innovative assessment types beyond traditional multiple-choice questions. This can be frustrating for teachers who want to incorporate more project-based or real-world assessments.
- Integration Issues: There have been reports of integration issues with learning management systems like Canvas, which can lead to lost data or difficulties in accessing assessments. Seamless integration is crucial, and these issues can be a significant concern for educators.
- Data Overload: The platform generates a vast amount of data, which can sometimes be overwhelming to analyze and interpret. Users may struggle to identify meaningful insights from the data without additional support or training.
Conclusion
In summary, MasteryConnect is a strong tool for tracking student performance and mastery of academic standards, with real-time data and user-friendly reporting features. However, it faces challenges in the flexibility of its assessment creation tools and occasional integration issues, which can impact its overall effectiveness. Addressing these limitations could further enhance its performance and accuracy in supporting educational outcomes.
MasteryConnect - Pricing and Plans
MasteryConnect Pricing Plans
MasteryConnect, a comprehensive K-12 digital assessment management system, offers a clear and structured pricing plan to cater to various educational needs. Here’s a breakdown of their pricing structure and the features included in each plan:
Free Plan
Overview
This plan is available at no cost ($0 per month) and is suitable for verified teachers and administrators.
Features Include:
- Mastery Tracker
- Common Assessment Sharing
- Learning Community
- Standards for every state, subject, and class
- Teacher App (MasteryConnect Mobile Apps)
- Resource Pins
- Teacher-Created Assessments & Reports
- Team Data Collaboration Tools
- Up to 10 questions Grading Tools (GradeCam, Tablet/Mobile, Browser)
- 3-Point Proficiency Scale Support
- Student Report/Parent Communication
- Custom Standard Authoring
- Teacher/Student Mobile Apps
- World-Class Support
Pro Plan
Overview
The Pro plan is priced at $249 per year.
Features Include:
- This plan includes all the features from the Free plan, plus additional functionalities such as:
- Up to 100 questions Grading Tools (GradeCam, Tablet/Mobile, Browser)
- Export to Gradebook
- Benchmark/Interim Assessment & Reporting
- Curriculum Maps
- Student Portal
- Parent Portal
Additional Information
- MasteryConnect also offers a free trial for users to test the software before committing to a plan.
- The system supports integration with various Learning Management Systems (LMS) and other educational tools, such as Clever Instant Login and Secure Sync.
By choosing between these plans, educators and educational institutions can select the features that best fit their needs and budget, ensuring they have the tools necessary to enhance student outcomes and academic standards.
MasteryConnect - Integration and Compatibility
MasteryConnect Overview
MasteryConnect, an assessment and curriculum management tool, integrates seamlessly with several other educational tools and platforms, ensuring a streamlined and efficient experience for educators and students.
Integration with Canvas LMS
One of the key integrations of MasteryConnect is with the Canvas Learning Management System (LMS). This integration is facilitated through Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI), which allows educators to link MasteryConnect assessments directly to their Canvas courses. Here’s how it works:
- The integration requires an LTI connection set up by the Instructure Customer Success Manager (CSM) between the Canvas and MasteryConnect instances.
- Educators can add MasteryConnect assessments as external tools within Canvas assignments, making it easy to manage and track student assessments from a single platform.
- However, there are some limitations, such as the inability to link MasteryConnect rubric and raw score assessments to Canvas assignments, and grade passback issues for assessments with rubric-scored items, unless the accounts have upgraded their LTI integration.
Additional Features and Integrations
MasteryConnect has enhanced its integration with Canvas LMS through several new features:
- Educators can now link assignments to assessments directly from Canvas with a single click, eliminating the need for cross-referencing and searching.
- The platform also supports language filters for item banks, making it easier to create formative and benchmark assessments.
- Upcoming features include new accommodation tools for administrators and a refreshed user interface that aligns with Canvas branding, ensuring a cohesive experience between the two platforms.
Compatibility Across Devices and Platforms
MasteryConnect is highly compatible across various devices and platforms:
- It is accessible on HTML-5 compliant web browsers, including Chrome and Firefox, on desktops, laptops, Chromebooks, and tablets like iPads.
- The platform supports mobile devices, although the experience is optimized for desktop displays. For better performance on mobile, users can download the MasteryConnect Teacher and Student mobile applications, which require Android 8.0 or later and iOS 15.0 or later.
- Minimum hardware recommendations include a computer five years old or newer with at least 1GB of RAM and an internet speed of 512kbps.
Other Integrations
MasteryConnect also integrates with other tools and services:
- It supports integration with Microsoft 365 and other IMS-compatible applications, enhancing its utility in diverse educational environments.
- The platform offers an API for further customization and integration needs.
Conclusion
In summary, MasteryConnect is well-integrated with key educational tools like Canvas LMS, and it is compatible with a wide range of devices and platforms, making it a versatile and user-friendly solution for educators and students.
MasteryConnect - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support Options
Mastery Connect offers a comprehensive array of customer support options and additional resources to ensure users can effectively utilize the platform.Submitting a Support Ticket
To get help with Mastery Connect, you can submit a support ticket through the customer portal. Here’s how:- Click the Help icon and then select Submit a support request.
- Choose the appropriate Ticket Type (Problem, Feature Request, or Question) from the drop-down menu.
- Enter a subject and a short description of your issue, including any relevant details such as affected users or assessments.
- You can also add file attachments and CC other people to receive updates on the ticket.
- Once you’ve filled out the necessary fields, click Next to submit the ticket.
Additional Resources and Guides
Mastery Connect provides several resources to help users get started and resolve issues:- The Mastery Connect Help Center in the Instructure Community contains guides and resources. You can access this by clicking the Help Center button, though you may need to create a Community profile the first time you use it.
- Online Professional Development (PD) courses are available through the Online PD button. These courses can be accessed at your own pace, and some may require district purchase for full access.
Instructional Videos
You can watch instructional videos to learn how to use various features of Mastery Connect. These videos are part of the Online PD courses and can be accessed through the Online PD button.Community Support
The Instructure Community allows you to ask questions and interact with other users. You can submit ideas and engage with the community to get help from peers who may have encountered similar issues.Email Support
After submitting a support ticket, you will receive a confirmation email. You can reply to this email to communicate directly with the support team, and your messages will be recorded in the ticket’s history.Workshops and Training
For more hands-on training, you can participate in workshops, such as the SIP day workshops, which guide participants through the setup and implementation of Mastery Connect.Conclusion
By leveraging these support options and resources, users can ensure they are using Mastery Connect effectively to track student mastery of state standards and improve educational outcomes. MasteryConnect - Pros and Cons
Advantages of MasteryConnect
MasteryConnect offers several significant advantages that make it a valuable tool for K-12 educators and administrators:
User-Friendly Interface
The platform is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, which simplifies the creation and distribution of both formative and summative assessments.
Real-Time Data and Reporting
MasteryConnect provides real-time data on student performance, allowing teachers to identify learning gaps and adjust instruction accordingly. The reporting tools help track student progress against state standards, which is crucial for ensuring student mastery in key subject areas.
Integration with Canvas
The platform integrates seamlessly with Canvas, enabling teachers to launch assessments directly from the Canvas LMS and automatically export assessment scores to the Canvas Gradebook. This integration enhances the personalized learning cycle by allowing teachers to frequently assess student understanding and adapt instruction.
Comprehensive Assessment Types
MasteryConnect supports various assessment types, including multiple-choice questions, short answers, performance tasks, and technology-enhanced items (TEIs). Teachers can input raw scores, scan bubble sheets, and use rubrics to assess student performance.
Curriculum Planning and Collaboration
The platform offers Curriculum Maps that help teachers and leaders plan and align curriculum resources with standards. It also facilitates teacher collaboration through shared resources, online discussions, and the ability to modify and share open educational resources (OER).
Efficient Grading and Feedback
MasteryConnect streamlines the grading process, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction. Grading is completed and posted faster, and the system provides immediate feedback to students, teachers, and parents.
Disadvantages of MasteryConnect
While MasteryConnect has several benefits, it also has some notable drawbacks:
Assessment Creation Limitations
Some users find the assessment creation tools to be clunky and inflexible, particularly when trying to create more complex or innovative assessment types. This can be frustrating for teachers who want to go beyond traditional multiple-choice questions.
Integration Issues
Despite the integration with Canvas, some users have reported glitches and unreliability, leading to lost data or difficulties accessing assessments. This can be a significant concern for educators who rely on seamless integration with their learning management systems.
Technical Issues During Testing
There have been reports of technical issues such as students getting logged off, work being lost, and hardware failures during computerized tests. These issues can affect the accuracy of the assessments and cause frustration for both students and teachers.
Time and Training Requirements
Implementing and using MasteryConnect can be time-consuming, especially for creating digital assessments from scratch or converting paper assessments to digital formats. The data analysis process can also be confusing and require significant time and training.
Cost and Support Needs
MasteryConnect requires a financial investment, and its effectiveness depends on having a supportive team, such as teachers or curriculum specialists, to help navigate the system. This can be a barrier for institutions with limited resources or support.
Overall, MasteryConnect is a valuable tool for enhancing the assessment process and improving educational outcomes, but it requires careful consideration of its limitations and the need for adequate support and resources.
MasteryConnect - Comparison with Competitors
When Comparing MasteryConnect with Other Education Tools
When comparing MasteryConnect with other education tools in the assessment and learning management category, several key features and alternatives stand out.
Unique Features of MasteryConnect
- MasteryConnect is specifically designed for K-12 educators, focusing on creating, distributing, and analyzing assessments. It stands out for its ability to provide real-time data on student performance, allowing teachers to track progress against state standards.
- The platform offers a user-friendly interface, making it easy for teachers to create both formative and summative assessments. It also supports various question types, including multiple-choice, short answer, and performance tasks.
- MasteryConnect integrates with other educational tools, although some users have reported issues with the integration, particularly with Canvas.
Alternatives and Comparisons
Instructure’s Canvas
- Canvas, offered by Instructure, is a comprehensive Learning Management System (LMS) that includes assessment tools, actionable analytics, and engaging course content. Unlike MasteryConnect, Canvas is not limited to assessment management but provides a broader range of features for managing entire courses, including assignments, discussions, and video learning experiences.
- Canvas is more versatile and can be used across K-12, higher education, and continuing education, making it a more comprehensive alternative.
Gradescope
- Gradescope is another digital grading and assessment tool that uses AI to assist in grading and developing rubrics. It is known for its analytics and is used in various educational settings. Unlike MasteryConnect, Gradescope focuses more on the grading process and provides detailed analytics on student performance, but it may not offer the same level of integration with state standards.
Edmentum
- Edmentum is an AI-powered learning platform that provides personalized learning experiences. While it does not focus solely on assessment management like MasteryConnect, it uses machine learning to assess students’ strengths and weaknesses, providing targeted instruction and real-time feedback. Edmentum is a broader learning platform that can complement assessment tools like MasteryConnect.
Other Considerations
Integration and User Experience
- MasteryConnect is praised for its intuitive interface, but it has some limitations in creating complex assessments and integrating seamlessly with other tools like Canvas. In contrast, platforms like Canvas and Edmentum offer more seamless integration with various educational tools and a wider range of features.
Specialization
- If the primary need is assessment management with a focus on state standards and real-time data, MasteryConnect is a strong choice. However, for a more holistic learning management solution, Canvas or Edmentum might be more suitable.
In summary, while MasteryConnect excels in assessment management for K-12 educators, alternatives like Canvas and Edmentum offer broader functionalities that can complement or replace MasteryConnect depending on the specific needs of the educational institution.
MasteryConnect - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about MasteryConnect, along with detailed responses to each:
What is MasteryConnect?
MasteryConnect is a comprehensive K-12 digital assessment management system that helps educators track student progress and mastery of academic standards. It provides tools for formative and benchmark assessments, data analytics, and personalized learning to enhance student outcomes.
What are the key features of MasteryConnect?
MasteryConnect offers several key features, including:
- Standards-Based Grading
- Formative and Benchmark Assessments
- Data Analytics
- Student Performance Tracking
- Customizable Assessments
- Item Banks
- Rubric Scoring
- Real-Time Feedback
- Mobile Access
- Integration with Learning Management Systems (LMS)
- Teacher Collaboration
- Parent and Student Portals
- Secure Testing Environment
- Automated Grading
- Progress Monitoring
- Differentiated Instruction
- Professional Development Resources
- Reporting Tools.
How much does MasteryConnect cost?
MasteryConnect offers two main pricing plans:
- Free Plan: This plan includes features such as the Mastery Tracker, common assessment sharing, learning community, standards for every state, subject, and class, and more.
- Pro Plan: Starting at $249 per year, this plan includes all the features from the free plan plus additional features like up to 100 questions grading tools, benchmark/interim assessment and reporting, curriculum maps, and more.
Is there a free trial available for MasteryConnect?
Yes, MasteryConnect offers a free trial for users to test its features before committing to a plan.
What types of devices and platforms does MasteryConnect support?
MasteryConnect supports mobile devices such as Android, iPad, and iPhone. It also integrates with applications like IMS and Microsoft 365.
What kind of customer support does MasteryConnect offer?
MasteryConnect provides customer support through email/help desk and phone support.
Is MasteryConnect validated by any educational standards?
Yes, MasteryConnect is validated in alignment with ESSA Level IV Evidence, indicating it is research-based, outcomes-focused, and eligible for federal funding.
How does MasteryConnect help in identifying students who need intervention?
MasteryConnect’s innovative Mastery Tracker provides a visual view into student levels of understanding on any set of academic standards. This allows educators to quickly identify which students need intervention and which standards may need reteaching in real time.
Can teachers collaborate and share data using MasteryConnect?
Yes, MasteryConnect enables teacher collaboration through features like common assessment sharing, team data collaboration tools, and the ability to “follow” colleagues to share assessments and data.
Does MasteryConnect support parent and student engagement?
Yes, MasteryConnect includes parent and student portals, allowing students and parents to access student performance data and reports, enhancing engagement and transparency.