33 Quality Learning Platforms

There is an updated version of this post here.

Platforms can help educators accomplish a variety of challenging tasks, such as powering and tracking personal learning plans, managing assignments and dynamic grouping, supporting the development of standards-aligned projects, combining formative assessment in a standards-based gradebook, and connecting students, parents and teachers anywhere on any device. Today we’re recognizing 33 platforms with widespread use and/or distinctive features.

Learning Platforms

For full reviews of the following, see Getting Smart on Next-Gen Learning Platforms.

• Agilix: Offers formative assessments, individualized tasks, student-choice activities, and grouping options.
• Alma: Designed to replace legacy SIS and LMS with a modern data infrastructure that can enable improved student engagement.
• AltSchool: Helps educators engage students, communicate with parents and collaborate with one another.
• Blackboard: Provides several platforms including Angel and Moodlerooms.
• Desire to Learn: A system with a simple, well-designed interface.
• Edsby: An Ontario-based, K-12 designed, mobile, social and personalized solution.
• Canvas by Instructure: A leading secondary and HigherEd platform with open courses on Canvas.net.
• itslearning: A Norway-based system that started in HigherEd, designed primarily for blended learning. Used in some big districts like Houston ISD.
• Mileposts from Silverback: Boise-based instructional improvement system catered towards personalized learning.
• Moodle: An open-source, integrated system that helps create personalized learning environments.
• PowerSchool: Purchased Haiku LMS, and combined it with a leading SIS.
• Sakai: An open-source, flexible alternative to commercial learning systems.
• Schoology: An LMS with robust collaborative tools.

Free lightweight platforms

• Edmodo: This free platform enables teachers to create groups, assign homework, schedule quizzes, manage progress and more.
• Google Classroom: Create classes, distribute assignments and send feedback (part of G suite for Edu).
• Microsoft Classroom: Classroom and assignment management (part of Office 365 Education) and now includes Teams (a Slack-like team communication tool).

PBL Platforms

• Edio is project-based platform that makes it easy to author and track multiple projects. Remote coaching is available for teachers.
• Project Foundry manages project-based workflow allowing students to plan, track, and assess their work.
• Workbench is a project-based platform with a big library of projects. It’s used in over 10,000 schools around the world (see feature).

Competency Platforms

• CourseNetworking. A newer learning platform with social features that offers a “lifelong profile” page to showcase achievements and associated social networks. Mostly HigherEd use but piloted by Purdue Polytechnic High School.
• Empower Learning. A platform that supports competency-based learning models through content creation, management, and assessment reporting.
• Engrade. A top gradebook acquired by McGraw Hill now connects curriculum, assessments, and data across the learning cycle. It has the capability to draw content from licensed providers, OER libraries, and teacher-created materials.
• Epiphany Learning. A platform that supports personalized, interdisciplinary, and competency-based learning.
• Motivis Learning. A competency-based platform that supports competency-based and traditional learning. Built on the Salesforce platform, Motivis includes an SIS and social features.
• Novare helps students set goals, manage projects, and build portfolios. Used by leading innovators including Teton Science Schools.

Comprehensive Platforms (LMS & content)

• Apex: Digital curriculum designed to actively engage students in learning, combining embedded supports and scaffolds.
• Cortex: a web-based solution that brings together operational and instructional data about students and for students to serve, enhance, and inform teaching and learning.
• Edgenuity: A comprehensive set of online and blended content and management offerings.
• Edmentum: Adaptive assessments paired with powerful learning paths for K-8 reading, language arts, and math.
• FuelEd: Innovative digital curriculum, technology, instruction, and support enabling you to create a learning environment that is just right for your students.
• SevenStar: Online Christian education option for grades 6-12.

Adaptive Platforms

• RealizeIt: A Dublin-based adaptive learning platform, mostly focused on HigherEd CTE.
• Fishtree: An Arlington, VA.-based, adaptive learner-relationship-management tool (see podcast on Columbus MS).

Platform networks

Join the network to gain access to these platforms.

• Summit Learning: A free online platform that helps students and teachers personalize learning.
• Echo by New Tech Network facilitates integrated project-based learning. A big project library allows network teachers to adopt or adapt projects and score results with standards-based rubrics.

Is there a platform you’d add to the list? Share in the comments section below. Check out our other recent Smart Lists at our Smart List Series.

This Smart List was developed by Getting Smart, who helps schools, districts, and impact-oriented partners design and implement powerful learning experiences and forward-leaning strategies, and thought leadership campaigns. Learn more about how we can help you extend your impact.

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