Google Classroom is a tool that many schools are utilizing today, especially because it is a great tool that happens to be FREE! Many schools, such as Carmel Catholic High School began implementing google classroom throughout their classrooms, including giving all students chrome books and their own google email account. This is very helpful because it gives all the students what they need in one place with easy access while also giving them an easy and quick way to communicate with their teacher whenever it is necessary. Giving the students their own chrome books throughout their time at the school is also outstanding because not all students have access to a computer whenever outside of school, but now they have their own that they can take wherever in order to complete their assignments and get help from their teacher or peers. Another example that was found interesting was Amherst Central Schools. They searched for a way to gain the needed collaborative style of learning that was efficient for all students and faculty. Most devices are meant for individual work. However google devices, such as chrome books allow easy access for sharing and group work or student-teacher connection. Personally, I did not utilize google classroom throughout my own experience as a student until about my senior year of high school. My school utilized all Microsoft programs beforehand. Therefore, I did not get the full experience and benefits that students today are receiving through this tool. However, as I began exploring google and learning its tools, I loved how easy it was to collaborate with others in group work! You could now all work simultaneously one a slide show for a group presentation or all together on a google doc for a lab report. It is also nifty in the way that it automatically saves as you work, especially since young students often forget to hit save and because we have all had experience with technical difficulties where the computer randomly shut off and all of our work is lost. Not anymore! Also, it is very handy how your work can be accessed by any device once logged into your account; allowing you to work from it literally anywhere! I love it and fully understand and support why schools are utilizing this tool (not only because it is free!).
'Simplification of school systems' is how the website describes Google Classroom - and I couldn't have said it better myself! Simplicity is coveted in schools - and harder to come by than one might imagine! Between cost factors, privacy issues, training and support needs, technology can produce as many problems as it solves at times. And that's where Google shines. With its emphasis on free, quality, secure, and dependable apps, schools can breathe a sigh of relief.
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