How To Choose Web-Based Learning Software

School administrators interested in offering online classes may not recognize the key differences in web-based software. But making the wrong choice can be costly. Administrators need to know what questions to ask when comparing web-based software, and why selecting a comprehensive learning management system like the one offered by IQity is a good deal.

What Will Web-Based Learning Software Cost?

Comparing the cost of various vendors' web-based learning software is not as easy as it seems. Some vendors charge a license fee, for example. Schools pay a fee for every teacher and student who participates in online learning. This can add up quickly. One central Ohio school district pays more than $250,000 each year to its web-based learning software vendor.

Other vendors sell their software for a fixed price, which might seem like a better deal. But the hidden costs of this option also mount quickly. The software must be installed on a server that is owned and maintained by the school. Since online classes aren't bound by traditional school hours, students and parents need to be able to access the system any time. That means having staff available 24/7 to fix the server if it goes down and to respond to questions from teachers and students trying to use the software. Another option is to pay a hosting company to keep the software up and running, but that too can be expensive. Most hosting services charge a per-user fee, and many require schools to pay for at least 500 users.

IQity's web-based learning software is free to schools and school districts. IQity provides the hosting service, so there is no additional expense to the school.

What's Included in My Web-Based Learning Software?

Another question educators must ask is "What's included?" If you buy web-based learning software with limited functionality, you may have to buy more software to supplement it. Basic course management software handles the administrative end of online classes. So it lets school officials assign students to certain classes; it lets teachers make assignments, give tests and post grades; and it lets students see the course content and take quizzes. But to be effective, online teaching requires a high degree of interaction between teacher and student, and among students. That requires tools that may not be included in all web-based software packages.

IQity's Learning Management Suite is a comprehensive web-based learning platform. It supports all the administrative tasks necessary to offer virtual classes, but that's just the start. A secure messaging system keeps the teacher in touch with students. A real-time web-casting tool lets the teacher talk to the class just as if they were assembled in a traditional classroom. An online whiteboard, called LiveBoard, not only provides the same functionality as a classroom chalkboard, it can also be used by students for class participation and group projects.

Where Does Class Content Come From?

Just as in the brick-and-mortar classroom, schools have many choices when it comes to actual lessons. Teachers can import their own material into most virtual classrooms. And the number of vendors offering classroom content is growing daily. The right question to ask, however, is whether the content will meet the needs of the students and their school. Has it been reviewed by educational experts? Is it aligned with state standards? Will it help students pass state graduation tests?

With IQity's web-based learning software, the answer to all these questions is yes. IQity comes bundled with Reactor, a learning object repository that is filled with materials teachers can use in any K-12 grade and subject. All the materials in Reactor have been reviewed by educational experts to make certain that they align with state standards. And IQity also comes with study guides and practice tests for state graduation tests.

The bottom line is that IQity is affordable, comprehensive, and offers award-winning content. To see how IQity can make your choice of e-learning software easy, schedule an online demonstration today.