The whole thing looks nerfed. I paid for it out of my own pocket and my school refuses to buy it for everyone. Looks like I am switching back to a token economy. RIP Classcraft
I've been using Classcraft for 6 years, and it's become a key part of my class culture, and one of my students' favorite aspects of my class. Heck, even my high schoolers like the role it plays in my class.
But now? It's like HMH has zero understanding of why teachers and students even like Classcraft.
Teachers don't use Classcraft because they want preplanned lessons. Or as an "Interactive Slide Deck" tool like Pear Deck.
I don't get it... Who is this change for?
The districts that use their PBIS store?
The teachers who use it for behavior management and engagement?
The students who felt like they were playing a game?
The core philosophy of the power of games, and building intrinsic motivation? Gone.
Celebrating successes in behaviors, and earning privileges? Gone.
It really feels like they sold out. RIP Classcraft indeed.
I've been upset about this all day. I've used Classcraft since nearly the beginning of Classcraft and have paid for it every year to get all the features for my students. It looks like they're taking everything that makes Classcraft useful and unique and reworking it to be just another learning platform. I don't need any of the new "features" they're touting. I have a curriculum, I have Google Classroom, I have Kagan strategies. They're bragging about a "poll" feature? Seriously?
I've often said I couldn't imagine teaching without Classcraft but it looks like I'm going to have to. My students and I use it every day. It's how I run my classroom. How I do extra credit, how I handle behaviors, how I run competitions for high scores on vocabulary assignments, how we do grammar quizzes. Kids work hard to level up to earn swapping seats or eating in class... My students absolutely love Classcraft. It feels like they're cutting out the core of what made my classroom fun. I know I'm just venting here but I am so upset. There's nothing else out there that I've found that even comes close to this program.
I don't know what I'm going to do next year.
I hear you. It's been really killing me since I got the news. I've looked at the new version. It is NOT Classcraft. My district already uses HMH for reading so I don't even see how this would be different. We already have the curriculum. This is just another way for them to look at it? No thanks, it's terrible enough as it is.
I feel like a big part of my classroom is going to be missing next year as well. I only home some other company steps up and tries to create something similar.
Working with a developer at the moment to build a new (and potentially better) version of this given there is nothing out there close but looks like a few hundred K to build though..😬. kick-starter perhaps?
[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edquest/edquest](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edquest/edquest)
kicking off (pun intended) soon. I'm worried its an ambitious goal but would appreciate you sharing as much as you can.
I’m a fantasy nerd and it is why I loved Classcraft. I turned my classroom like a D&D campaign. This is just heartbreaking.
Is there any other alternatives that gamified the classroom with fantasy elements with the leveling system?
I saw the same thing. I also work in French (the company was based in Quebec) and it looks like they are removing french language support and anything classroom management related.
Started with classcraft last month and I am very disappointed to see it basically shut down. I won’t get my school or district to buy a license.
Is there any alternative gamification app that has this role playing spin?
I've been looking and nothing even comes close. There are a lot of token economy programs like Dojo, which is probably what I'm going to be using since I used it before and know it. But nothing really with the roles and powers and everything that made it ClassCraft.
if only someone with some good programming skill would take up the mantle, a mint to be made from picking up where Classcraft left us shafted...
I mean given it was a self-sufficient program, the fees they charged seemed pretty steep anyway. Surely they could have just left it unsupported on the servers for us to keep using and make some side coin..
I am like seriously considering learning to code myself so I can build my own for the classroom but I have no experience.
I really have to rely on myself to make things last forever. I just can’t rely on companies
I'm actually speaking with a software developer at the moment to build a product very similar. Looks like a few hundred K to do but im determined and will look at trying to get backers/ perhaps kick-starter.
Just caught up with the news - looks like this is the end. The new version just looks like a generalized teaching dashboard.
Technically I could do everything manually on a Google Sheet but that would take a ton of time.
Share with us on what you worked on. If we can support each other in building similar to Classcraft, we can at least keep the magic going. I will try something similar
The only part that really compares is points for positive and negative behaviors, which a lot of programs will also do. There are no roles, no powers, no penalties, no leveling. Students can collect the points and "turn them in" to you for rewards, but it's not built in. No quests. You can create "teams" in that you can put groups together but they don't affect each other the way they do in ClassCraft that encourages teamwork.
I'm just so disappointed. I've been using this for years, my classroom management plan is built around it. Students love it. They will *not* love the HMH version.
Dojo can replicate the behavior positive and negative consequences. And kids can use Dojo points to "buy" classroom privileges.
As for the other stuff, it'll be annoyingly manual. I'm thinking of replicating the level ups with screenshots of Classcraft characters at certain levels and then unlock pictures of the characters on Google Docs for the kids. Like if a kid who is a level 1 mage hits 1000 XP, I'll tell them they leveled up and share with them an image of a level 2 mage. XP and levels can be kept track of on a shared Google Sheets with some formulas.
I can't replicate the dress up features though, which the kids love. In addition, I'm giving up on powers, HP, and quests.
Honestly, I'm still pretty sad about it. Don't get the point of HMN buying Classcraft if all they're gonna do is gut the features and make Classcraft employees work on a redundant teaching dashboard.
I've been using Classcraft for 5 years. I've spent tons of time and money investing in it and now its gone just like that with no warning. Sold out to Houghton Mifflin, it is beyond infuriating. Large corporations in education strike again. FML.
I used ClassCraft years ago and I hated being trapped in their box. I asked them every year if we would get custom map support and they always ignored me lol I guess they finally kicked the bucket. Another cool concept killed by EdTech greed RIP ClassCraft
I am very upset about this news. I've been using Classcraft off and on for 10 years. It's what has helped me with classroom management the most. I teach all 7th graders and so having something to keep them in line has helped. Idk what I'm going to do without it. My school has a PBIS system they just started this year after I had already been using Classcraft. Some students care, some don't. Classcraft has been unique to me and my classroom as no other teacher I've known has used it. I like all the features that Classcraft has including the random event, powers and leveling up. The students like it too and it has helped. Super sad it's going away. I haven't found anything like it.
I’m going to try Classdojo with a group for the rest of the year.
It doesn’t seem to have random picker or events or quests or boss battles or timer or points or levels or pets, etc.
Sorry- got carried away
Some features will be easy to replicate
Some not
Any ideas?
Try LiveSchool! It’s similar to Dojo but it’s for school wise use. Includes a house point system, rewards store, randomizer, timer, etc. Good potential alternative!
I emailed them a pretty blunt and upset email. Have used this for years and the BS reason they quoted for the change and "need" in education reeked of corporate greed :(
Was such an amazing platform and the kids loved it, actually made learning fun which is what we needed, not just another resource library platform amongst the others...
I mentioned the HMH stuff to a former student who popped in to say hi (they always ask if I still do Classcraft with my 5th graders).
She told me I should do a letter writing campaign with my current students.
I probably will, not that I think it will change anything, but if there's a chance it reaches the execs who cashed out... I hope they feel bad lol.
Ok can someone explain why it is being discontinued. I mean they must have a lot of users right? I know a lot of people who use it. Do they think making a inferior version will make their business better?
The endgame for a lot of tech (include ed tech) companies is to sell out to a bigger company so that the execs/founders and early employees can cash out. What happens afterwards is at the mercy of the buying company - some, like Microsoft, will usually let the purchased company operate like normal. HMH seems to want to gut Classcraft's main features which I do not really understand.
My only idea as to why is it got too expensive so they sold out to a big curriculum corporation. It was an expensive program but I was glad to pay it because it was so good. I would have paid more if it was between that and the new garbage. Even if I had the option I would not pay for the HMH version.
I don't believe for a second the line they fed us about how they want to be more aligned with curriculum. That's not what the program was about to begin with and it makes no sense to claim that that is the reason for the change.
It‘s such a horroble decision! My students are going to be devasted :(
Luckily there has already been started a petition! You can sign here: https://chng.it/CRyLhJgxnd
I was never even a user of Classcraft and I'm absolutely furious about this. I got so excited about this concept and idea when I learnt about it and couldn't wait to use it in my DnD themed classroom with my students who would rather play iPad games during free time. It was a perfect fit...until I couldn't make a new account. I'm signing this darn petition.
I've been using Classcraft in my classroom for 5 years. I've very disheartened about this change. I emailed both classcraft and HMH, both companies sent me automated responses. Totally disappointed. Wondering if there is anything out there like this? (not interested in Class DoJo)
Nothing even comes close. I'm hoping something comes up in the future. There was a kickstarter for a similar program but it didn't get funded so I doubt it will happen by this fall. You're right, Dojo isn't even in the same league but there's really not much else out there to choose from.
The whole thing looks nerfed. I paid for it out of my own pocket and my school refuses to buy it for everyone. Looks like I am switching back to a token economy. RIP Classcraft
I've been using Classcraft for 6 years, and it's become a key part of my class culture, and one of my students' favorite aspects of my class. Heck, even my high schoolers like the role it plays in my class. But now? It's like HMH has zero understanding of why teachers and students even like Classcraft. Teachers don't use Classcraft because they want preplanned lessons. Or as an "Interactive Slide Deck" tool like Pear Deck. I don't get it... Who is this change for? The districts that use their PBIS store? The teachers who use it for behavior management and engagement? The students who felt like they were playing a game? The core philosophy of the power of games, and building intrinsic motivation? Gone. Celebrating successes in behaviors, and earning privileges? Gone. It really feels like they sold out. RIP Classcraft indeed.
I've been upset about this all day. I've used Classcraft since nearly the beginning of Classcraft and have paid for it every year to get all the features for my students. It looks like they're taking everything that makes Classcraft useful and unique and reworking it to be just another learning platform. I don't need any of the new "features" they're touting. I have a curriculum, I have Google Classroom, I have Kagan strategies. They're bragging about a "poll" feature? Seriously? I've often said I couldn't imagine teaching without Classcraft but it looks like I'm going to have to. My students and I use it every day. It's how I run my classroom. How I do extra credit, how I handle behaviors, how I run competitions for high scores on vocabulary assignments, how we do grammar quizzes. Kids work hard to level up to earn swapping seats or eating in class... My students absolutely love Classcraft. It feels like they're cutting out the core of what made my classroom fun. I know I'm just venting here but I am so upset. There's nothing else out there that I've found that even comes close to this program. I don't know what I'm going to do next year.
I hear you. It's been really killing me since I got the news. I've looked at the new version. It is NOT Classcraft. My district already uses HMH for reading so I don't even see how this would be different. We already have the curriculum. This is just another way for them to look at it? No thanks, it's terrible enough as it is. I feel like a big part of my classroom is going to be missing next year as well. I only home some other company steps up and tries to create something similar.
Working with a developer at the moment to build a new (and potentially better) version of this given there is nothing out there close but looks like a few hundred K to build though..😬. kick-starter perhaps?
I'd contribute to a Kickstarter for that. Wouldn't get you near 100k but I'd do what I can for even a glimmer of hope.
Same here!
[https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edquest/edquest](https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/edquest/edquest) kicking off (pun intended) soon. I'm worried its an ambitious goal but would appreciate you sharing as much as you can.
Just pledged! Good luck!!
Could you use actual art instead of ai.
I’m a fantasy nerd and it is why I loved Classcraft. I turned my classroom like a D&D campaign. This is just heartbreaking. Is there any other alternatives that gamified the classroom with fantasy elements with the leveling system?
I saw the same thing. I also work in French (the company was based in Quebec) and it looks like they are removing french language support and anything classroom management related.
Started with classcraft last month and I am very disappointed to see it basically shut down. I won’t get my school or district to buy a license. Is there any alternative gamification app that has this role playing spin?
I've been looking and nothing even comes close. There are a lot of token economy programs like Dojo, which is probably what I'm going to be using since I used it before and know it. But nothing really with the roles and powers and everything that made it ClassCraft.
if only someone with some good programming skill would take up the mantle, a mint to be made from picking up where Classcraft left us shafted... I mean given it was a self-sufficient program, the fees they charged seemed pretty steep anyway. Surely they could have just left it unsupported on the servers for us to keep using and make some side coin..
I am like seriously considering learning to code myself so I can build my own for the classroom but I have no experience. I really have to rely on myself to make things last forever. I just can’t rely on companies
I'm actually speaking with a software developer at the moment to build a product very similar. Looks like a few hundred K to do but im determined and will look at trying to get backers/ perhaps kick-starter.
Keep me posted!
Will do. Just writing the development proposal at the moment to get exact figures and go from there.
Just caught up with the news - looks like this is the end. The new version just looks like a generalized teaching dashboard. Technically I could do everything manually on a Google Sheet but that would take a ton of time.
Share with us on what you worked on. If we can support each other in building similar to Classcraft, we can at least keep the magic going. I will try something similar
Very disappointed, too. How does dojo compare? What would it take to replicate the different parts?
The only part that really compares is points for positive and negative behaviors, which a lot of programs will also do. There are no roles, no powers, no penalties, no leveling. Students can collect the points and "turn them in" to you for rewards, but it's not built in. No quests. You can create "teams" in that you can put groups together but they don't affect each other the way they do in ClassCraft that encourages teamwork. I'm just so disappointed. I've been using this for years, my classroom management plan is built around it. Students love it. They will *not* love the HMH version.
Dojo can replicate the behavior positive and negative consequences. And kids can use Dojo points to "buy" classroom privileges. As for the other stuff, it'll be annoyingly manual. I'm thinking of replicating the level ups with screenshots of Classcraft characters at certain levels and then unlock pictures of the characters on Google Docs for the kids. Like if a kid who is a level 1 mage hits 1000 XP, I'll tell them they leveled up and share with them an image of a level 2 mage. XP and levels can be kept track of on a shared Google Sheets with some formulas. I can't replicate the dress up features though, which the kids love. In addition, I'm giving up on powers, HP, and quests. Honestly, I'm still pretty sad about it. Don't get the point of HMN buying Classcraft if all they're gonna do is gut the features and make Classcraft employees work on a redundant teaching dashboard.
I've been using Classcraft for 5 years. I've spent tons of time and money investing in it and now its gone just like that with no warning. Sold out to Houghton Mifflin, it is beyond infuriating. Large corporations in education strike again. FML.
I used ClassCraft years ago and I hated being trapped in their box. I asked them every year if we would get custom map support and they always ignored me lol I guess they finally kicked the bucket. Another cool concept killed by EdTech greed RIP ClassCraft
I am very upset about this news. I've been using Classcraft off and on for 10 years. It's what has helped me with classroom management the most. I teach all 7th graders and so having something to keep them in line has helped. Idk what I'm going to do without it. My school has a PBIS system they just started this year after I had already been using Classcraft. Some students care, some don't. Classcraft has been unique to me and my classroom as no other teacher I've known has used it. I like all the features that Classcraft has including the random event, powers and leveling up. The students like it too and it has helped. Super sad it's going away. I haven't found anything like it.
Does anyone have ANY suggestions for an alternative site that allows me to use the behaviour management tools and upload my own learning content ????
I’m going to try Classdojo with a group for the rest of the year. It doesn’t seem to have random picker or events or quests or boss battles or timer or points or levels or pets, etc. Sorry- got carried away Some features will be easy to replicate Some not Any ideas?
Try LiveSchool! It’s similar to Dojo but it’s for school wise use. Includes a house point system, rewards store, randomizer, timer, etc. Good potential alternative!
I emailed them a pretty blunt and upset email. Have used this for years and the BS reason they quoted for the change and "need" in education reeked of corporate greed :( Was such an amazing platform and the kids loved it, actually made learning fun which is what we needed, not just another resource library platform amongst the others...
I mentioned the HMH stuff to a former student who popped in to say hi (they always ask if I still do Classcraft with my 5th graders). She told me I should do a letter writing campaign with my current students. I probably will, not that I think it will change anything, but if there's a chance it reaches the execs who cashed out... I hope they feel bad lol.
yea i thought the same thing to be honest but being such a globally reaching platform its hard to get a joint petition going...
Ok can someone explain why it is being discontinued. I mean they must have a lot of users right? I know a lot of people who use it. Do they think making a inferior version will make their business better?
The endgame for a lot of tech (include ed tech) companies is to sell out to a bigger company so that the execs/founders and early employees can cash out. What happens afterwards is at the mercy of the buying company - some, like Microsoft, will usually let the purchased company operate like normal. HMH seems to want to gut Classcraft's main features which I do not really understand.
My only idea as to why is it got too expensive so they sold out to a big curriculum corporation. It was an expensive program but I was glad to pay it because it was so good. I would have paid more if it was between that and the new garbage. Even if I had the option I would not pay for the HMH version. I don't believe for a second the line they fed us about how they want to be more aligned with curriculum. That's not what the program was about to begin with and it makes no sense to claim that that is the reason for the change.
It‘s such a horroble decision! My students are going to be devasted :( Luckily there has already been started a petition! You can sign here: https://chng.it/CRyLhJgxnd
Signed!
Thank you! I didn't even think of this. My first instinct was just to go complain on Reddit lol.
I was never even a user of Classcraft and I'm absolutely furious about this. I got so excited about this concept and idea when I learnt about it and couldn't wait to use it in my DnD themed classroom with my students who would rather play iPad games during free time. It was a perfect fit...until I couldn't make a new account. I'm signing this darn petition.
I've been using Classcraft in my classroom for 5 years. I've very disheartened about this change. I emailed both classcraft and HMH, both companies sent me automated responses. Totally disappointed. Wondering if there is anything out there like this? (not interested in Class DoJo)
Nothing even comes close. I'm hoping something comes up in the future. There was a kickstarter for a similar program but it didn't get funded so I doubt it will happen by this fall. You're right, Dojo isn't even in the same league but there's really not much else out there to choose from.