Tuesday Tech Tip: Accessing COLE 3.0/Schoology on a Mobile Device

We've spent most of our time as a district talking about using COLE 3.0/Schoology in its web-based version, but teachers, students, and parents can also access our digital learning environment with Schoology apps for iOS and Android (available in the iTunes App Store for iOS and the GooglePlay store for Android).

How to Log In Using the App: 

Because we are using Single Sign-On (SSO) as a district to manage usernames & passwords, logging into the app version requires that we choose "Username Login" instead of "Email Login."  This is true for all users (parents, staff, & students).

Regardless of which mobile operating system you're using, you'll be presented with a screen like the one on the right. Once you click on the "Username" option, it will ask for the school name. Hint: Typing in a zip code will bring up a more relevant list, but you can type in a school name as well (just be aware that this searches for all schools in the entire Schoology system, including international locations).  After choosing your school, you'll be re-directed to a login screen for my.cherrycreekschools.org.  Staff and students will log in using Active Directory while parents will need to use the email account that they used for CCSD Online Parent Forms.

Using the App:

iOS View

Once the app launches in either Android or iOS, you'll see the "Recent Activity" and "Upcoming Events" feeds.  To access other areas of COLE 3.0/Schoology, click on the icon in the upper left-hand corner (looks like 3 lines in iOS, the Schoology logo in Android).  Currently, the Android app doesn't have a separate calendar view, but iOS does.

One of the nice things about using the app is that you can upload photos or videos from the Camera Roll (iOS) or Gallery (Android) into assignments & posts and you can also record directly into assignments or posts using the built-in camera.  When in a materials area (like Assignments or Discussion Boards), a "+" sign in the upper right hand corner of the screen allows you to upload, take a picture/video, or add items from resources.

Functionality differs slightly between Android & iOS, but students can do most things using the app (including taking assessments).  If you're a teacher, it's a great way to post a quick update or add video or photos from a mobile device.

Logging out of the App:

Android View

When using shared devices (like a cart of iPads), it's important that you log out of the app on the device.  On the Android, you can do this by getting to "Settings" in the left menu and choosing "logout" (using the icon in the upper left hand corner to view the different areas in the app).  On an iOS device, you'll see "Logout" at the bottom of the left hand menu list.  If students are in a 1:1 environment, they can either log out or leave themselves logged in.

If there are things that don't work the way you need them to work in the app, remember that you can always access COLE 3.0/Schoology on the mobile device browser.  Certain things in a course are probably easier to accomplish using the web version, but there are definite benefits to having access on the go.