All features great & small
Unit SizeThe first consideration is unit size. If you are likely to need to use the account with more than 80 pupils you will need a Gold account.
Allied to this is the question of how your pupil and staff data will be kept up to date. Gold accounts can be synchronised automatically with your school management information system, so your Earwig account is always current. Silver and Bronze accounts must be updated manually whenever a change of pupils or staff occurs. So, if your setting runs a conventional school MIS (SIMS, Arbor, etc.) you probably need Gold.
Assessment FrameworksHow many pupil assessment frameworks will you need? The limit for Bronze is three. For Silver, it’s six.
Apart from the numerical limit, there is the question of framework and grading scheme design. Bronze accounts choose from a list of about 50 commonly used frameworks which come with pre-configured grading schemes, which can't be changed. If you are happy to accept this more limited menu, then go with Bronze, but if you would like more choice, and the facility to change the grading scheme to suit your process, then you will need Silver for up to six frameworks, Gold if you need more.
Silver and Gold accounts can choose from more than 300 options in the Framework Library. Gold customers can also design their own.
Support & TrainingThe Earwig app and website contain instruction panels and video guides on every screen. Bronze users will need to be prepared to set up and manage their own Earwig accounts, using these guides, without one-on-one support - although this can be ordered as a paid-for extra.
Silver accounts have many more framework and other configuration options available to them. So one online support meeting is built into the minimum starting pack and more can be ordered.
The setup fees for Gold accounts include at least three online setup and training meetings, to ensure that every Earwig Gold account is set up correctly for that school and that staff are able to get the maximum benefit from the application.
PriceIf cost is a primary consideration then you should look at Bronze first. The annual fee for a Bronze account is typically £400 to £800.
A Silver account will usually cost between £800 and £1,200 annually. A typical Gold account will require between £1,200 and £1,900 a year.
It is worth noting that these costs are all significantly below those of similar software systems, which is amazing, given that Earwig provides more functionality, more ease of use and more support.
Why not have a demo?If you’re a devil for detail, you can pore over the list below. If you are all for an easy life, just hit the ‘Demo’ button and ask your Consultant.