Software Alternatives & Startups

LanSchool VS TouchDevelop

Compare LanSchool VS TouchDevelop and see what are their differences

LanSchool

Get the best classroom management and monitoring software to inspire collaborative teaching with tools to minimize distractions and maintain an effective learning environment.

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0 reviews
TouchDevelop

Program your devices directly from your devices with TouchDevelop! You do not need a separate PC.

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0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Education popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 11

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

LS
LanSchool
TouchDevelop
Website lenovosoftware.com touchdevelop.com
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

LS
LanSchool 6 features
TouchDevelop 5 features
  • Classroom Management
    LanSchool provides tools for teachers to manage student devices, maintaining class order and focusing students’ attention where needed.
  • Real-Time Monitoring
    It allows for real-time monitoring of students' activities on their devices, enabling teachers to provide immediate assistance or correction.
  • Easy Communication
    LanSchool offers chat and broadcast features, making it easier for teachers to communicate instructions and feedback to students.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Supports various operating systems including Windows, Mac, Chrome OS, and now Android, making it versatile in different device environments.
  • Screen Sharing
    Teachers can share their screens with students or allow students to share their screens with the class, facilitating interactive learning.
  • Remote Control
    Teachers can take control of student devices remotely to guide them in troubleshooting or to direct focus, which can be particularly useful in a virtual learning environment.

Possible disadvantages

  • Privacy Concerns
    The ability to monitor and control devices can raise privacy concerns among students and parents, particularly regarding how and when monitoring is conducted.
  • Learning Curve
    The software has a wide array of features that may require time and training for teachers to use effectively, which could be a hurdle in adoption.
  • Resource Intensive
    LanSchool can be resource-intensive, which might affect the performance of older or less powerful devices, impacting the overall user experience.
  • Network Dependency
    Requires a reliable and stable network connection for optimal functioning, which might be an issue in schools with subpar internet infrastructure.
  • Cost
    Unlike some free classroom management tools, LanSchool requires a subscription, which could be a budget concern for some schools.
  • Student Resistance
    Students may feel confined or uncomfortable with constant monitoring and control over their devices, leading to resistance or pushback.
  • Beginner-Friendly
    TouchDevelop provides a simplified programming environment that is accessible to beginners, making it easier for those with little to no coding experience to start developing applications.
  • Cross-Platform Development
    The platform allows users to create applications that can run on multiple operating systems like Windows, iOS, and Android, thus broadening the reach of the applications developed.
  • Cloud Integration
    TouchDevelop seamlessly integrates with cloud services, enabling users to store data and access various web services easily within their applications.
  • Mobile Friendly
    TouchDevelop can be used on mobile devices, allowing users to develop apps directly on their smartphones or tablets, which enhances portability and convenience.
  • Interactive Learning
    The interactive tutorial and help system guide users through the learning process, enhancing their understanding and making it easier to pick up programming concepts.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Advanced Features
    For more experienced developers, TouchDevelop lacks some advanced features and flexibility offered by more powerful development environments, limiting its usefulness for complex applications.
  • Discontinued Support
    TouchDevelop is no longer actively maintained by Microsoft, which means users might encounter issues or lack updates and support in the future.
  • Dependence on Internet Connection
    While it offers cloud integration, reliance on internet connectivity for some features can be a drawback in situations where access to the internet is limited or unavailable.
  • Platform-Specific Limitations
    Although it is designed for cross-platform compatibility, TouchDevelop may have some limitations or inconsistencies across different operating systems.
  • Limited Community and Resources
    As a niche tool with a smaller user base, finding community support, third-party tutorials, or comprehensive resources can be more challenging compared to popular platforms.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

LS
LanSchool
TouchDevelop

No analysis of LanSchool yet.

Overall verdict

  • TouchDevelop was a well-designed educational programming tool created by Microsoft Research, but it has been discontinued and is no longer actively maintained or accessible as of 2019, making it not a viable choice for current use despite its historically innovative design.

Why this product is good

  • Pioneered touch-based coding for tablets and phones, letting users write scripts by tapping rather than typing
  • Cloud-based platform allowed scripts to run and sync across web, Windows, and mobile devices
  • Strong educational focus with a simple, structured language ideal for teaching programming fundamentals
  • Included a built-in library for accessing device sensors, media, and social APIs, enabling fun and interactive app creation
  • Backed by Microsoft Research, ensuring quality design and pedagogical thoughtfulness during its active years

Recommended for

  • Historical or academic interest in early mobile/touch-based coding environments
  • Researchers studying the evolution of educational programming tools
  • Not recommended for current coding education or app development due to discontinuation

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

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LanSchool 3 videos + Add
TouchDevelop 1 video + Add

LanSchool Software Review

More videos

  • - LanSchool Review
  • - LanSchool review

TouchDevelop - Create apps ON your phone!

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
LS
LanSchool
TouchDevelop
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
IDE
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using LanSchool and TouchDevelop. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

LS
LanSchool no reviews yet
TouchDevelop no reviews yet
  • The 10 Best Classroom Management Software
    woofresh.com · Nov 2017

    You can save valuable time using this software. You don’t need to go and collect assignments. Your students can send them and you can collect the assignments instantly with the help of LanSchool.

We have no reviews of TouchDevelop yet. Be the first one to post

Alternatives to LanSchool and TouchDevelop

When comparing LanSchool and TouchDevelop, you can also consider the following products.