AHS officially began Toddle use for the entire district this year, but why change? Many say they miss Schoology or Google Classroom, but Toddle has opened up a whole new world including many enhanced features that improve student learning and help teachers understand students’ work better.
Eileen Knapp, IB Diploma Programme coordinator at AHS, explains the benefits of Toddle that encouraged the change of learning platform.
“Some benefits of Toddle are that it aligns with IB. It has templates for the IA (Internal Assessment), it has prompts, and it is a learning management system that was created with the IB in mind,” Knapp said.
AHS has been an IB school since 2001, and Toddle is the most systematic tool that aligns best with the IB key aspects.
While Toddle enhances efficiency and organization for many students, Toddle offers a level of transparency that the other platforms lack. Knapp explains further that when assignments are turned into toddle, they are sent through “turnitin.com,” which allows teachers to look at the highlighted similarities, possible plagiarism, and AI usage. Toddle also allows teachers to view the entire document history and writing process, while also being provided the exact websites for sourced information.
AHS Language and Literature teacher, Maile LaPenna, offered her thoughts on the change.
”Initially, it’s human nature to be grumpy about change, right? Like, resist it and be like, “I don’t want to do this because it’s hard?” LaPenna said. “But the way that they kind of rolled it out to us is that this is going to be the way it is for a while.”
LaPenna’s observations highlight the learning curve AHS experiences. While this may have been a sudden and steep change for our school, it has also resulted in one of the most efficient and successful platforms for all IB students.
However, beyond the efficiency of Toddle, there is concern for students in regards for the use of AI. This change isn’t meant to scare or threaten students into avoiding AI, but to challenge them to think creatively and critically. Teachers aren’t looking for knowledge and understanding from AI, but they want to see students grow and improve with effort and patience.
While LaPenna has not faced any integrity infractions herself this year, she has noticed the continuous trend of AI being struck by confusion and stress.
”In recent weeks, I’ve encountered a few interactions with students who have shown academic vulnerability by just saying, ‘Hey, I don’t understand this. ’” LaPenna said. She encourages students to seek help for something they do not understand or need help with, rather than utilizing AI for quicker and easy work.”
As we continue the second semester, the Toddle “fatigue” seems to be lifting. Students working on their CAS (creativity, activity, and service) portfolios, IAs, and the overall workload for classes are neatly organized through sections.
Toddle may have been a challenge to adjust to, but the hope for the entire district is that the consistency of this platform will eventually be a smooth and equitable experience for all students and staff. By prioritizing a platform that invests in the integrity of our community and aligns with the IB framework, AHS is ensuring authenticity and excellence through its education system.
