Hi-tech system allows better tracking of day-to-day student life for parents

Ever had that awkward dinner table conversation about ‘how was school today?’ with your child?

Now that question can be more easily answered with the help of Edsby, an information technology system which can be used by parents, students and teachers.

Algoma District School Board (ADSB) trustees and administrators were given an update on the implementation of the software package in the board’s schools at their regular monthly board meeting Tuesday.

Edsby, the board was told by ADSB officials, is a faster, better and easier way for parents to be kept up to date on their children’s classroom activities and academic progress.

Parents, teachers and students can use the Edsby system for free by downloading it on to a smartphone, tablet or laptop.

It provides real time information on student grades, homework assignments, due dates, attendance, teachers notes, new assignments, what is being taught in schools and lets parents communicate with teachers.

“I really like being able to check my marks on my app, ask my teachers about anything I’ve missed, any questions I have,” said Molly Taylor, ADSB student trustee, speaking to the board.

“Parents think it’s fantastic,” said Greg Bowman, ADSB trustee.

“As a parent it’s been powerful for myself,” said Tyler Hankinson, one of three ADSB officials who provided an Edsby update to the board.

“For the most part we’ve been pleased with the uptake (students, teachers and parents latching on to Edsby),” said Lucia Reece, ADSB director of education.

Edsby can gather information from schools and send out an electronic newsletter to parents, including vital information such as school bus cancellations, very handy information to have in brutal winters such as the one from which the Sault and Algoma region has recently emerged.

The software can also display students daily timetable and allows students to store a portfolio of their best work.

As of last week, board officials were told, there was an average of 19,483 visits by students, parents and teachers (13,324 clients in all), accessing information through Edsby, the board was told.

The system can store 81.41 terabytes of data. To put that in perspective, one terabyte is equivalent to 17,000 hours of music, 500 hours of movies or 310,000 photos, the board was told.

Approximately 20 of Ontario’s 72 school boards are using Edsby, the ADSB one of six extending its Edsby reach through broadband upgrades in rural areas, said Joe Santa Maria, ADSB superintendent of business.

Edsby was first introduced to ADSB teachers in a soft rollout last spring, each of the board’s schools now having access to the system.

“It’s not mandatory but we’re encouraging teachers to use some of the system’s tools, like attendance,” said Tyler Hankinson, ADSB information technology official, speaking to SooToday after Tuesday’s meeting.