Big Ideas Learning launches new LMS integration 4x faster with Clever LMS Connect

A rollout that was 4x faster with improved support outcomes

When Big Ideas Learning, an award-winning K-12 instructional math publisher, set out to fully launch their new platform, MyAda Math, for Back to School 2024, they anticipated the challenges ahead. Their experience integrating with Learning Management Systems (LMSs) for their existing platform, Big Ideas Math, taught them how complex and time-consuming the process can be not only from an engineering standpoint, but also in terms of onboarding customers efficiently. This time, they sought a solution that could reduce their time to market and facilitate high-quality collaboration with school districts so there would be no interruptions to learning in the classroom.

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The Challenge: Navigating Complex LMS Integrations and Data Management

Big Ideas Learning’s existing platform, Big Ideas Math, required years of integration work with major LMSs. The process was complex, involving LTI Advantage for each LMS and managing inconsistent district data standards. The Big Ideas Learning team had to create multiple custom integrations to meet the unique requirements of each district, which was costly and difficult to maintain. It required a larger integrations team to manage, and took budget away from product innovation. As Dennis Tarwood, SVP Technology at Big Ideas Learning, explained: “No standard addresses that level of data management.”¹

Clearing the technical hurdles is only part of the challenge. Providing the high-touch and high-quality onboarding support for each district’s unique data needs during the Back to School season requires special people with special training. Nobody does that better on the integration front than Clever.

Dennis Tarwood

SVP Technology, Big Ideas Learning

The Solution: Accelerated Integration Timeline and Efficient District Onboarding with Clever LMS Connect

Clever LMS Connect provided the solution Big Ideas Learning needed: robust LMS integrations backed by expert support. Clever has partnered with Big Ideas Learning on automated rostering since 2015, proving its ability to handle complex district data reliably and efficiently. By integrating with Clever LMS Connect, Big Ideas Learning significantly reduced their integration timeline. They completed their LMS integration within six months—four times faster than their previous LMS rollout.

When it came to onboarding districts, Clever’s District Onboarding team managed the logistics of helping districts connect their LMSs to Clever, and completed all data matching. This allowed the Big Ideas Learning team to deploy MyAda Math without needing additional staff on their integration team or facing many of the technical headaches typical of LMS rollouts. With Clever LMS Connect, Big Ideas Learning had a reliable, scalable integration.

The Impact: Scalable LMS Integration Allows Big Ideas Learning to Focus on Innovation

From day one of the new school year, the integration between Big Ideas Learning and Clever LMS Connect worked flawlessly, allowing over 165,000 teachers and students to log in from Canvas, Schoology, or Google Classroom without interruptions. The Big Ideas Learning team noted that not only did Clever expedite their launch, but internal teams also reported a marked improvement in support outcomes by being able to manage all data and troubleshoot in one place.

If this Back to School season is an indicator of what Clever’s LMS Connect can do to transform how all of this works — it’s only a path up from here. I’m excited about the opportunity to standardize not just the technical aspects but also provide a consistent quality of service that is missing in the education industry right now.

Dennis Tarwood

SVP Technology, Big Ideas Learning

What’s more, it proved to be a better experience for Big Ideas Learning’s customers, as shared by Kanawha County Schools: 

I’m proud that Clever actively invests in DE&I by improving our inclusivity and driving multiple workstreams that produce results and deliver meaningful change.

Jana Hart

Equity and Belonging Leadership Committee Member

This past year, my favorite memory was creating a Hispanic Heritage Month promo video with a fellow Cleverite in our HOLA ERG, as it brought visibility to the ERG and fostered company-wide collaboration!

Karina Osorio

2024 ERG member and 2025 incoming co-lead of Women@Clever ERG

Through my work on a workstream to make hiring more equitable, I was glad to be able to support my fellow managers across the company. It was truly fulfilling work.

Luther Banner III

Equity and Belonging Leadership Committee Member

I am most proud of the way Clever is constantly striving to learn. We know that we don’t always get it right, but we have a shared goal of creating psychologically safe spaces so everyone feels understood and supported.

Emily Busboom

LGBTQAI+ ERG Co-Lead

On the first day of school, a student will receive a Clever Badge and that’s all they’ll need. No usernames or passwords, which has been great. Plus, we haven’t had anyone querying, ‘How do I get little Jimmy logged on?

Steve Downing

Director of IT and Learning Services, Tyne Coast Academy Trust

Clever Badges help us save a massive amount of learning time – up to 10 minutes per class every day throughout the academic year.

Steve Downing

Director of IT and Learning Services, Tyne Coast Academy Trust

When deciding between handling integrations yourself or choosing Clever, consider this: Does your solution offer the tools that allow districts to manage integrations independently? Do you have the dedicated team and stability to support integrations each year? If you’ve invested in both, great! But if not, think about whether investing yourself in integrations might limit your ability to offer product innovation and advancement.

Dennis Tarwood

SVP Technology, Big Ideas Learning

If this Back to School season is an indicator of what Clever’s LMS Connect can do to transform how all of this works — it’s only a path up from here. I’m excited about the opportunity to standardize not just the technical aspects but also provide a consistent quality of service that is missing in the education industry right now.

Dennis Tarwood

SVP Technology, Big Ideas Learning

Clearing the technical hurdles is only part of the challenge. Providing the high-touch and high-quality onboarding support for each district’s unique data needs during the Back to School season requires special people with special training. Nobody does that better on the integration front than Clever.

Dennis Tarwood

SVP Technology, Big Ideas Learning

Once more of our applications are available on Clever LMS Connect, it’s a no-brainer that we’ll start using the integration with them. It’s a painless process for something that’s really beneficial to districts.

Brandon Raker

LMS Specialist, Kanawha County Schools