This article outlines the differences between Student and Family accounts. Below is an outline of which modules are available in which accounts.
| Student | Family |
Home | ✔️ |
|
Activity |
| ✔️ |
Classes | ✔️ | ✔️ |
My Students |
| ✔️ |
Lessons | ✔️ |
|
Bookshelf | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Assessments | ✔️ |
|
Gradebook | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Plans | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Reports | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Blog | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Portfolio | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Help |
| ✔️ |
Note: Some of the module listed above are optional and may not be available based on your district's selections.
Student Account Overview
Student accounts can...
Utilize the notification feed and To Do List on the Home page to view and open assignments
View their Classes and the Class Board of announcements per class
Open and progress through Lessons
Utilize the Bookshelf to organize, share resources, and view shared resources.
Take Assessments
View class grades and standards performance in the Gradebook
View results of third party assessment data in Reports
View the class Blog for classroom discussions, or private messages to teachers
View and contribute to the Portfolio of selected student work
What is unique to a student account?
Open and progress through Lessons
Family accounts can see the list of assigned Lessons on the Home page (see Home section below for information about the To Do List).
Take Assessments
Only student accounts can access Assessments. Assessment results and data are collected and organized based on the student who took it.
Family accounts receive a notification on their Home page when an assessment is assigned, and when the assessment has been graded. Once graded, family accounts can see assessment results in the Gradebook.
Family Account Overview
Family accounts can...
View the notification feed and To Do List on the Home page
View linked students and Add Students
View class grades and standards performance in the Gradebook
View results of third party assessment data in Reports
View their student's Classes and Class Board of announcements, or send Email to teachers
View the Portfolio of selected student work
View class Blog posts and comments made by either the teacher or their student
View the student's Bookshelf as well as resources shared by the teacher
Search through the Help Center articles and videos
What is unique to a family account?
My Students
Family members have access to specific information regarding each of the students linked to their account.
Help Center
If students have questions about using Otus, their teacher or the school district is the best resource since they are able to provide appropriate context.
Modules Overview
Home/Activity
Note: The page listing the notification feed and to do list is called Home in a student account and Activity in a family account.
Primary Use: A notification feed for class activity.
Students can click notifications to access the lesson, assessment, or other activity.
Family accounts can only open certain notifications (blog posts, class board announcements). Lessons and Assessments notifications cannot be opened in family accounts.
Secondary Use: A To Do list of all current and outstanding Lessons and Assessments.
Specific Functions:
💡 Tip: Since family accounts do not have access to the Lessons or Assessments modules, clicking on a notification or To Do list item will not open the assignment. Only student accounts may open the lesson or assessment content itself.
Classes
Primary Use: View class list and accompanying class recognitions. Access the Class Board.
Secondary Use: Family accounts may email teachers.
Specific Functions:
➡️ Learn about viewing classes and viewing student recognitions in a family account.
My Students
Available In: Family
Primary Use: Family members have access to specific information regarding each of the students linked to their account.
Specific Functions:
Lessons
Available In: Student
Primary Use: Students navigate through a series of activities or resources to complete.
Specific Functions:
💡 Tip: Family accounts can view lesson titles, due dates, and their student's progress in the To Do list.
Bookshelf
Primary Use: View resources that teachers shared. Students may also add and organize their own resources on My Bookshelf.
Specific Functions:
Assessments
Available In: Student
Primary Use: Students can advance through an assessment and submit it to the teacher. View a list of all current and past assessments.
Specific Functions:
Gradebook
Primary Use: View grades that measure student growth or overall performance.
Specific Functions:
💡 Tip: In the gradebook, your district may choose to have an assessment tab, a standards tab, or both.
Reports
Primary Use: View student results from 3rd Party assessments (such as NWEA, IAR, SBAC, etc.).
Specific Functions:
Blog
Primary Use: Teachers can have informal, conversational-style communication with the class.
Specific Functions:
Portfolio
Primary Use: A place to collect pieces of student work, including assessments, blog posts, artifacts, and file uploads.
Specific Functions:
Help
Available In: Family
Primary Use: To access our Knowledge Base of help articles.
Specific Functions:
Selecting this module takes users to a separate webpage where they can search through our Knowledge Base.
💡 Tips:
Family members can also reach out to our Support Team without needing to go to the Help module - just look for the chat icon in the bottom-right corner of the screen.
If students have questions about using Otus, their teacher or the school district is the best resource since they are able to provide appropriate context.