ParentVUE, Synergy, My MCPS Classroom, Canvas…Are there shortcuts?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:new to MCPS - this canvas etc system is so confusing to me. I don't understand it at all and no-one has told me how it works. I had to ask a few times before our school principal sent me some kind of explanation.

Can you guys enlighten me please?
So who uses Canvas? Is it the teacher and the kids? What are parents supposed to do? I can only log into my kids' chrome books with their passwords, and I do not know what those are. I know how to use Parentvue; I don't know what Synergy is though....I feel so dumb, even though at work we use all different kind of platforms and technologies....

Synergy is the name of the student information system. It has three interfaces, for different types of users: StudentVue, ParentVue, and TeacherVue. These "vues" can be accessed either via a web site or an app. This is where final grades are entered, plus attendance records, course history, graduation requirements, SSL hours, etc.

Canvas is the name of the course management system. MCPS has branded their version as myMCPS Classroom. It has the content of each class. Teachers will post assignments, syllabi, contact info, etc on their class pages. Parents are added to Canvas classes as observers, so when a parent logs in, they are seeing slightly different things than when a student enrolled in the class logs in.

DP. That’s a great explanation. It should be a sticky note in this forum. PP, get your kids’ logins and passwords if you want to see everything in Canvas (MyMCPS Classroom).

PP here - thank you both PPs - wow, why would our school not explain this as well as you did?! I asked them multiple times and there was zero explanation. Thanks so much!!!

The same reason geeks can't explain tech or mechanics can't explain driving. They're too deep in the weeds.

There’s a lie in the PP’s explanation. The verbiage and the omission makes me think PP is an MCPS administrator, my guess, someone in Central Office.

All parents - realize EVERYTHING in Canvas is an educational record. You have a right to inspect the Canvas record regardless if MCPS gives you login access to everything in Canvas or not.

Synergy is the official grade book. However, most teachers post a child’s original grade in Canvas. Most teachers hide their Canvas grade book, but if you ask to see it, your school has a legal obligation to show you the Canvas record. Tell your Principal that you are making a FERPA request for the information.

By comparing the Canvas to the Synergy grade book, you will see discrepancies that are hidden by just looking at Synergy alone. Students receive 100% for completion in Synergy but the true performance is in Canvas. Same for missing assignments. Ttt he e default grade is 50% in Canvas.

The use of Synergy is smoke and mirrors to hide the grade inflation. That’s why Canvas grade books are hidden from parents and why students have access to information that parents can’t see. MCPS wants you to think that you have information but it’s worth while asking for your child’s Canvas grade book data. It take a school staff member about 10 seconds to pull it up.

PP whose verbiage you're responding to here. Sorry to disappoint you, but no, I don't work for MCPS and never have. I'm just a regular parent who learned a bit about how the different systems work and thought I'd share some basic info with others.

[Anonymous]

You left out the information that is stored in Canvas that parents are restricted to see. There’s more to Canvas than what you and MCPS describes. Parents should be asking why does MCPS not want to be transparent with the data. If you ask, the MCPS line is that they don’t want parents to be confused. I would rather have the data first and if I feel I am confused (particularly when the two grade book system shows vastly different grades) then at least I will know to ask how is my child performing and is she learning the material.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You left out the information that is stored in Canvas that parents are restricted to see. There’s more to Canvas than what you and MCPS describes. Parents should be asking why does MCPS not want to be transparent with the data. If you ask, the MCPS line is that they don’t want parents to be confused. I would rather have the data first and if I feel I am confused (particularly when the two grade book system shows vastly different grades) then at least I will know to ask how is my child performing and is she learning the material.

I find it simpler to just look at the ParentVue grades. I understand that they are not updated instantly, but that's sufficient for my needs. YMMV.