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#45

Piazza is ranked #45 in the LMS For Schools product directory based on the latest available data collected by SelectHub. Compare the leaders with our In-Depth Report.

Piazza Pricing

Based on our most recent analysis, Piazza pricing starts at $379 (Per Term, One-Time).

Price
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Starting From
$379
Pricing Model
Per Term, One-Time
Free Trial
No

Training Resources

Piazza is supported with the following types of training:

Documentation
In Person
Live Online
Videos
Webinars

Support

The following support services are available for Piazza:

Email
Phone
Chat
FAQ
Forum
Help Desk
Knowledge Base
Tickets
Training
24/7 Live Support

Piazza Benefits and Insights

Why use Piazza?

Key differentiators & advantages of Piazza

  • Enhanced Collaboration: Piazza fosters a collaborative learning environment by allowing students to ask questions and receive answers from peers and instructors in real-time.
  • 24/7 Accessibility: Students can access Piazza anytime, ensuring they can get help and engage with course material outside of regular class hours.
  • Centralized Communication: All course-related discussions, announcements, and resources are centralized, reducing the need for multiple communication platforms.
  • Anonymous Posting: Students can post questions anonymously, encouraging participation from those who may be hesitant to speak up in class.
  • Instructor Endorsements: Instructors can endorse student answers, providing a layer of validation and ensuring the accuracy of information shared.
  • Efficient Q&A Management: Piazza's organized Q&A format helps manage and streamline the flow of questions and answers, making it easier to track and address student inquiries.
  • Customizable Notifications: Users can customize their notification settings to stay updated on new posts and responses without being overwhelmed by constant alerts.
  • Rich Media Support: Piazza supports various media types, including images, videos, and LaTeX, allowing for more comprehensive and illustrative explanations.
  • Searchable Archives: Past discussions and answers are archived and searchable, providing a valuable resource for students to revisit and review material.
  • Inclusive Learning Environment: By accommodating different learning styles and preferences, Piazza helps create a more inclusive and supportive educational experience.
  • Real-Time Analytics: Instructors can access real-time analytics to monitor student engagement and identify areas where additional support may be needed.
  • Reduced Email Overload: By consolidating course communications on Piazza, instructors and students can reduce the volume of emails and streamline their interactions.
  • Peer Learning Opportunities: Students can learn from each other’s questions and answers, fostering a community of peer-to-peer learning and support.
  • Time-Saving for Instructors: Piazza helps instructors save time by allowing them to address common questions in a single post rather than responding to individual emails.
  • Enhanced Engagement: The interactive nature of Piazza encourages greater student engagement and participation, leading to a more dynamic and interactive learning experience.

Industry Expertise

Piazza is a learning management system that excels in facilitating communication and collaboration between students and instructors in academic settings. It is best suited for educational institutions, particularly those seeking to enhance student engagement, improve communication, and streamline the learning process.

Piazza Reviews

Based on our most recent analysis, Piazza reviews indicate a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 85% based on 16 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

User satisfaction level icon: great

16 reviews

85%

of users would recommend this product

Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Based on an aggregate of Piazza reviews taken from the sources above, the following pros & cons have been curated by a SelectHub Market Analyst.

Pros

  • Easy to Use Interface: Piazza's intuitive design makes it simple for students to post questions and receive answers from classmates and instructors.
  • Promotes Collaboration: The platform fosters a collaborative learning atmosphere where students can assist one another with coursework.
  • Feature Rich: Piazza provides a variety of tools, including a LaTeX editor, code blocking, and the option for anonymous posting.

Cons

  • Cumbersome Interface: Some users have reported that the platform's interface is not intuitive and that certain features are difficult to use.
  • Limited Dialogue: There are concerns that the platform's focus on quick answers may discourage students from engaging in deeper discussions that could lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.
  • Inconsistent Responsiveness: Feedback on the responsiveness of instructors and teaching assistants on the platform has been mixed, with some users experiencing delays or a lack of engagement from their educators.

Researcher's Summary:

Is Piazza the cornerstone of online learning platforms? While Piazza aims to be a bustling hub for academic discourse, user experiences over the past year have been a mixed bag, leaving some feeling like they're stuck in *detention*. On one hand, students and educators alike appreciate the platform's user-friendly interface, making it a breeze to navigate and participate in discussions. The ability to seamlessly integrate with popular Learning Management Systems (LMS) like Canvas is also frequently commended, streamlining the learning process. However, some users find the platform's design clunky and lacking in intuitive features.

A recurring concern revolves around Piazza's reliance on instructor engagement. For instance, one student lamented that without active participation from their professor, the platform felt like a "ghost town," hindering meaningful interactions. This dependence on instructor involvement is a significant differentiating factor, as platforms like Slack and Microsoft Teams offer more versatile communication channels that don't solely rely on instructor-led discussions.

Ultimately, Piazza is best suited for courses with highly engaged instructors who can foster a vibrant online community. However, those seeking a more self-directed or instructor-independent learning experience might find Piazza's limitations stifling.

Key Features

Notable Piazza features include:

  • Q&A Platform: Facilitates student and instructor interaction through a collaborative question-and-answer format.
  • Anonymous Posting: Allows students to post questions and answers anonymously, encouraging participation from those who may be hesitant to speak up.
  • Real-Time Updates: Provides instant notifications for new posts and responses, ensuring timely communication.
  • Endorsements: Instructors can endorse student answers, highlighting accurate and helpful responses.
  • Rich Text Editor: Supports formatted text, code snippets, and multimedia, making posts more comprehensive and easier to understand.
  • Search Functionality: Enables users to quickly find relevant posts and answers using keywords and filters.
  • Organized Threads: Groups related questions and answers into threads, maintaining a structured and navigable discussion board.
  • Private Posts: Offers the option to send private messages to instructors, facilitating confidential communication.
  • Class Statistics: Provides analytics on student participation and engagement, helping instructors identify trends and areas needing attention.
  • Mobile Accessibility: Available on mobile devices through a responsive web interface and dedicated apps, allowing access on-the-go.
  • Integration with LMS: Seamlessly integrates with Learning Management Systems like Canvas and Blackboard, streamlining course management.
  • Instructor Controls: Offers various moderation tools for instructors to manage content, including the ability to edit or delete posts.
  • Polls and Surveys: Enables instructors to create polls and surveys to gather student feedback and opinions.
  • Wiki-Style Editing: Allows collaborative editing of posts, enabling multiple users to contribute to a single answer.
  • Tagging System: Uses tags to categorize posts, making it easier to navigate and find specific topics.
  • Customizable Notifications: Users can tailor their notification preferences to receive updates via email or within the platform.
  • Instructor Anonymity: Instructors can choose to post anonymously, fostering a more open and unbiased discussion environment.
  • Student Grouping: Supports the creation of student groups for collaborative projects and discussions.
  • Resource Sharing: Facilitates the sharing of documents, links, and other resources within the platform.
  • Accessibility Features: Designed to be accessible to all students, including those with disabilities, adhering to WCAG standards.
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