Success Story

How did you first approach setting up Campus Learning Suite, and what made that process effective for both you and the teachers you support?

I teach everybody about Infinite Campus, and part of my job is making it easier for teachers. I created a living document that walks them through how to go into Campus Learning Suite and set up everything they need – both the essentials and the add-on benefits. It’s a work in progress and always evolving.

One of the biggest benefits for me is that once you set everything up that first year, it really pays off in the second. You can copy your curriculum over so teachers don’t have to recreate the wheel. Everything from year one is already there; all they need to do is tweak and improve.

Was there a moment when you realized Campus Learning Suite could replace other third-party tools?

Yes, when I learned that I could add in my instructions, attach documents, upload images and web links, and connect my OneDrive all within Campus Learning Suite. I came to the realization: why would you ever try to do your work in another program and sync between systems when everything you need is already right here?

Which Campus Learning Suite features do you use most often?

The big game changer for me was Quizzes. I teach an arts and humanities class, so I need students to visually see a piece of art and answer questions accordingly. When I realized I could embed images, video links, and other items…game changer! I could set it all up in one space. I also love the randomization so two kids won’t have the same question at the same time.

Campus Learning Suite also grades Quizzes and puts the results right into the Grade Book. That’s how I did my last final exam – students took the test, Quizzes graded it, and I just hit “save.”

I also appreciate that there are multiple ways to do one thing. For example, I don’t have to go to the same place every time to enter an assignment. I can be in a different part of the Grade Book, and as long as I push the ‘save’ button, I can publish it.

How has Campus Learning Suite changed your classroom routines?

I create many resources, not just assignments, in Infinite Campus. Throughout the year, I have weekly objectives, and every week I update them for the kids to see. It’s another way for them to know what we’re focusing on or, if they miss a day, they can go back and catch up. Any PowerPoint I use during the day, I upload when I’m done. It’s available to them right there.

The latest tool added was the Section Feed, and it has really improved communication with the kids. Instead of sending a separate message, I can post right in the feed: “don’t forget to bring your iPad today,” or “here’s what we’re doing this week.” It’s all about communication.

Are parents engaging differently with their child’s grades and progress because of Campus Learning Suite?

Absolutely. If you’re using another LMS, parents often have to rely on the student to log in and show them their progress. Parents can see everything in Infinite Campus!

At the beginning of the term, I tell my parents in a letter: if you want to know why your child got a certain grade, go in and look at what they turned in. You can see my comments and what your child has done. We’ve turned on all available tools for our parents so they can see everything their kids are doing. Honestly, I don’t get many parent emails anymore because it’s all right there.

What advice would you give teachers who haven’t yet explored Campus Learning Suite?

No matter what you do, you CANNOT break it. Go ahead and try something. Use it to its potential! I think once teachers start exploring the tools, they’ll see the benefits and probably won’t want to use anything else.

How can districts better support the use of Campus Learning Suite?

Districts need to have at least one teacher using Campus Learning Suite in the classroom who is also on the Infinite Campus team in the district office. One advantage of me being an administrator and having a class is that I see exactly what other teachers are seeing, and I can fix things in real time or provide instructions. Having an expert teacher who can explain things in teacher terms makes such a difference.

Any final thoughts on Campus as a whole?

Everything is in one product, it’s all right there. Our parents really appreciate not having to memorize five different logins for five different things. One-stop shopping with Infinite Campus has been a game changer. And, whenever I have a suggestion or issue and have to put in a ticket, you all listen. There have been great improvements over the years, and I truly appreciate that!