Google Classroom as LMS


In my building, and probably within my district, I am among the few that are not part of the Google fan club.  It is not because I have anything against Google or Classroom, in face I find Google to be innovative and creative with their products and interfaces.  I am a creature of habit and stick with what’s comfortable.  That being said, I know I need a change.  As I change grade levels next year, Google Classroom is among one of the many new things I will begin to learn. This research is definitely helping ease my mind for that transition. 

One of my goals for the upcoming year is to increase student collaboration.  Google has created a collaborative culture.  Therefore, in order to start simple, I will have students work together in Google Docs to brainstorm for projects, pose questions, and contribute to discussions.  Christopher Pappas, in his article Google Classroom: A Free Learning Management System For eLearning states “Google Classroom boosts the social learning aspect of online education, enabling learners to benefit from the experience and skills of their peers.” (2015)

Another idea that I will adopt from 25 Awesome Tips for Google Apps in the Classroom by Travis Rink is the In-box form (2017).  Instead of having students email me links to projects or the projects themselves, I can create a Google form of sorts where they can paste their links.  This way all their projects are in the same place, I can’t mysteriously lose them, and they do not bombard my inbox, which is already full enough as it is.  Google has some major conveniences and top notch features which allows me to move forward confidently in adopting Google Classroom as an LMS for my classes.


I think an LMS provides a much needed structure, organization, and communication between students, parents, and teachers.  An LMS also opens the door to true differentiation.  In the K-12 Blueprint article from our lesson this week states “It [an LMS] allows teachers to offer tailored instruction that can be accessed by students anytime, anywhere without geographic constraints” (Learning Management System Guide).  A properly used LMS cuts down most barriers and builds bridges to new possibilities.  I think it also helps students build significant skills in taking charge of their own learning and creating their own opportunities.

Choosing an LMS to use is quite overwhelming.  I’ve used Edmodo in the past but mainly as an information platform, not as a true LMS.  As previously stated, my school building mostly uses Google Classroom.  Since Google Classroom has many advantages and I have a building full of colleagues that could help me when a problem arises, I will likely choose to use Classroom as my LMS.  Christopher Pappas lists several advantages and disadvantages to using Classroom as an LMS.  One of the cons Pappas states is that it is “too googlish” (2017).  Many of my resources I have are in non-Google programs; therefore getting them all converted and re-formatted seems quite time consuming and irritating.  However the time I will save within my classroom will hopefully make up for it since sharing those resources with my students will be efficient and painless. 

Overall, I think an LMS is crucial for the current trend of education.  It allows for differentiation, multi-media content, smooth communication, and much more.  The impacts in the classroom our countless but I think overall student ownership of learning will be the greatest benefit. 
 
  Pappas, C. (2015, May 3). Google Classroom: A Free Learning Management System For eLearning. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/google-classroom-a-free-learning-management-system-for-elearning
  Pappas, C. (2015, August 20). Google Classroom Review: Pros And Cons Of Using Google Classroom In eLearning. Retrieved from https://elearningindustry.com/google-classroom-review-pros-and-cons-of-using-google-classroom-in-elearning
  Rink, T. (2017, January 4). 25 Awesome Tips for Google Apps in the Classroom. Retrieved from http://blog.mimio.com/25-cool-hacks-for-google-docs-in-the-classroom-0
  K-12 Blueprint: Learning Management System Guide. Retrieved from: https://courses.mnu.edu/pluginfile.php/612204/mod_lesson/page_contents/23579/Learning-Management-System-Guide.pdf

Comments

  1. Cassidy BrollJune 15, 2018 at 2:35 PM

    I also really liked the idea of an in-box for projects! It was a really easy idea that would be very helpful, the best kind! I have used Google Classroom before, but ditched it for a Google Site so that parents could see everything on it. However, I think my site gets cluttered with files my students use so I would leave them up for a few days and then take them down. That's why next year I am going to continue to use my Google Site and also use a Google Classroom for files.

    Google Classroom is really easy to use. You just upload what you want and it end up at the top of the page. I think this is a blessing and a curse because while it's easy to use and in a timeline format there isn't a lot of organization if you're looking for that. I tend to update Google Classroom the morning of, but I also know that there is a scheduling feature if you want to post ahead of time.

    I feel like I have used both my Google Site and Google Classroom as an informative place rather than a true LMS just like you. That's why I am excited to add Google Classroom back into the mix this coming school year so that I can try out some new things!

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