Making “Cents” of Edmentum: Four Quick Tips

Edmentum is one of four main state-supported distance learning platforms. (The others are MobyMax, Ed Ready, and Northstar Online Learning.) State-supported platforms are purchased and administered by the statewide digital learning team. Your consortium helps to pay for them through an annual technology fee, and we want you to get your money’s worth!

Pros and Cons

I recently asked Edmentum users for their feedback on the platform, and I received very mixed reviews. Two of the most common adjectives used were “cumbersome” and “confusing.” Other comments included:

• “It could be difficult to find material that worked well for our students/program. It did not feel user friendly. ”
• “I think it is just so much…and there are so many options, I just don’t even know what is available or useful.”
• “Wasn’t working and just stopped using it.”

On the other hand, Edmentum has been a state-supported platform for over seven years, and many ABE programs have made it a core part of their distance learning offerings.

Reasons for continuing to provide this platform as a state-supported resource include:

• Edmentum offers a breadth of core academic and career pathways content not found on most other state-supported or free platforms. One user commented, “I am currently using Courseware for online students studying grammar AND any (in-person or online) TEAS students – They particularly enjoy the anatomy and physiology units – I do not have access to this kind of rich curriculum for TEAS students anywhere else!”
• Many teachers are already familiar with the pre-built courses, and some have created their own custom courses and Flex Assignments.
• The Exact Path feature enables teachers to create customized learning paths to fill skill gaps in math, reading, and English language arts, based on diagnostic assessment data.

If you’re a devoted Edmentum user, you can relax; it’s not likely to go away anytime soon! (However, if you’d like to give feedback on the platforms that are state-supported, or suggest changes, you are always welcome to contact the DL helpdesk.)