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Classbuilder is a great tool for managing classrooms and facilitating communication between teachers and students. However, it’s not the only software available on the market. In this blog post, we’ll introduce the top 6 alternatives to Classbuilder and conduct a comprehensive comparison between them so you can make an informed decision on which software best suits your needs.
Video Tutorial:
What is Classbuilder?
Classbuilder is a classroom management and communication software designed to aid teachers in organizing their classrooms and facilitating communication between themselves and their students. The software allows teachers to create and distribute assignments, track the progress of students, interact with students via messaging or chat, and manage grades. It’s is a reliable tool for maximizing student engagement and simplifying classroom management.
Top 6 Alternatives to Classbuilder for Classroom Management and Communication
Top 1: Edmodo
Edmodo is a powerful learning management system for K-12 classrooms. It provides robust features such as assignments, quizzes, and discussions, making it a great alternative to Classbuilder. Edmodo is user-friendly and comprehensive, easy to use and allows teachers to personalize learning and connect with students in real-time.
Pros:
-Provides efficient task completion times with a Gradebook that can automatically calculate grades
-Streamlines all course-related communication and updates in one place
-A personalized, student-centered learning experience
-Supports file sharing, full screen file display, and quick access to recently viewed files
Cons:
-Limited features in the free version as opposed to the full version.
Top 2: Google Classroom
Google Classroom is a free, web-based application provided by Google to facilitate document sharing, communication, and collaboration between students and teachers. Google Classroom is easy to use, customizable and allows teachers to track student progress, have interactive sessions, and provide instant feedback.
Pros:
-Enables faster and easier assignment and submission process
-Provides a snapshot view of a complete class’ progress
-Offers tasks in different formats such as Google Docs, Google Sheets and etc.
-Provides teacher-to-student and student-to-student communication via email or chat.
Cons:
-Some features may suffer from slower loading times.
Top 3: Schoology
Schoology is a secure, mobile-friendly learning management system designed to help teachers and students share content, engage in discussions, and communicate with each other. It is an extraordinary alternative to Classbuilder and offers various features that allow teachers to create engaging and comprehensive content.
Pros:
-Easily integrates with third-party apps and content providers
-Provides in-depth analysis of student progress through analytics.
-Efficient sharing of content, discussions, and calendar items
-Supports more than 50 social media and online collaboration tools.
Cons:
-Schoology’s various features may seem overwhelming for some educators.
Top 4: Blackboard
Blackboard is a comprehensive learning management system that allows educators and institutions to customize learning environments and support online learning. The software includes features like course delivery, assessments, and collaboration, making it a reliable alternative to Classbuilder.
Pros:
-Supports extensive grading and academic reporting tools.
-Supports third-party integrations
-Provides access to 24/7 technical support
Cons:
-Blackboard tends to have a high learning curve when first getting started.
-Because it’s an all-in-one system, it may not be as flexible as its competitors.
Top 5: Canvas
Canvas is an all-in-one learning management system that provides a robust platform for students and teachers to connect. The software is easy to navigate, and its features include online assessments, collaborative functionality, and peer review, making it an ideal alternative to Classbuilder.
Pros:
-Supports effective grading, feedback, and grading rubrics
-Easy course creation and sharing
-Open-source software- meaning developers can customize it
Cons:
-Limited features in the free version as opposed to the full version.
-Might require some technical skills to fully utilize.
Top 6: Moodle
Moodle is an open-source, flexible learning management system designed to help create effective online learning experiences. The software hosts features like personalized learning, open-source customization, and a vast array of plugins to choose from – making it another outstanding alternative to Classbuilder.
Pros:
-User-friendly interface design and navigation
-Supports group collaboration and file sharing
-Supports external repositories such as Google Docs and Dropbox.
Cons:
-The software appears outdated or unpolished for some users.
-Admin settings make it less accessible for non-technical users.
Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software
Below is a comparison table of the six alternatives to Classbuilder for classroom management. The comparison items include FREE TRIAL, PRICE, EASE-OF-USE, VALUE FOR MONEY:
| Software | Free Trial | Price | Ease-of-Use | Value for Money |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmodo | 30 days | $4/year | Easy | Budget-friendly |
| Google Classroom | Forever | Free | Easy | High Value for Money |
| Schoology | 30 days | $1,599/year | Moderate | Budget-friendly |
| Blackboard | 30 days | Price on Request | Difficult | High Value for Money |
| Canvas | 14 days | Price on Request | Moderate | High Value for Money |
| Moodle | Forever | Free | Moderate | High Value for Money |
Our Thoughts on Classbuilder
Classbuilder is a great classroom management and communication tool; however, there are other software alternatives that offer comparable features. Classbuilder’s limited features may result in users seeking a more comprehensive solution for their classroom. Overall, the software is a great option for educators seeking software that offers a convenient way to simplify classroom management.
5 FAQs about Classbuilder
Q1: Is Classbuilder free?
A: No, Classbuilder is priced at $180/year.
Q2: What devices or platforms are compatible with Classbuilder?
A: Classbuilder works well on any device operating with Windows.
Q3: What is Classbuilder’s customer support like?
A: Classbuilder offers email support through their website.
Q4: What is Classbuilder’s main advantage over its alternatives?
A: Classbuilder’s main advantage is its streamlined and user-friendly design.
Q5: Does Classbuilder support audio and video conferencing?
A: No, it doesn’t.
In Conclusion
Classbuilder is an excellent tool for classroom management and communication, but it’s not the only one. The six alternatives to Classbuilder mentioned in this blog post offer comparable and more robust features, making them worth considering. Whether it’s Google Classroom or Schoology, teachers and students will find software that fits their learning needs and budgets. Evaluate the different options by trying out their free trial version, and choose according to which will best suit your needs.