Google Classroom

Dr Asangba Tzüdir
 

 

In view of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic online learning has been adopted in many schools and colleges across. Among the many apps and modes, Google Classroom is one such app designed to facilitate online learning where a student can be a part of a Google Classroom wherein teachers and students can communicate and provide them with constructive feedback and also streamline the sharing of classroom documents and assignments. It is considered as Google’s ambitious addition to online education which is aimed at making ‘classrooms’ not only paperless but also more effective.


A cursory look of the App demonstrates that it is primarily designed to add as many learners, create Google documents to manage assignments and announcements, post YouTube videos and links or attach files from Google drives. The learners can also have easy access which is being shared and not having to send via email to all the students. It also facilitates quick creation and distribution of assignments, followed by submission and feedback in response while also keeping an easy track on assignment submission, and thereby creating more effective and bigger impact on the minds of the students. A concept with comes with Google Classroom is ‘paperless.’ By way of clouding or centralizing e-learning materials, there is no need for printing the materials. However, the concept of ‘paperless’ requires adaptability especially for those students who are used to reading hard copies rather than soft e-materials. 


Further, besides being simple and user friendly, Google Classroom is also seen as an alternative to WhatsApp which has the added advantage to have online meetings with a formal ambience, share information and also use it for professional development.


 However, Google Classroom is not devoid of disadvantages. It doesn’t allow access from multiple domains nor is it possible to log in to Google Classroom through Gmail, and thus Gmail attachment files cannot be shared directly in the Google Classroom without downloading. There are also certain issues of automated integration because of non-availability of certain features. So at best, one may need to come up with own style of integration. Though Google and YouTube are integrated, the tools that are being used needs to be aligned with Google services, or else one may have to go through the hassle of converting a simple word document to a Google document.


There is another disadvantage of not having automated updates on Google Classroom activity, and so important announcements or posts may be missed. For example, even if an invite has been sent to a student, unless the app is opened and refreshed, one will not know whether a student has accepted the invite and joined the classroom. Further, unlike WhatsApp which allows file sharing by way of forwarding, it is not so in Google Classroom unless one owns a document which requires approval. Even with approval, it will create chaos for large classrooms.


Google Classroom is not a substitute to online mode of teaching and learning because it is limited at the level of interaction between teachers and students to file sharing, comments and feedbacks. For effective education and learning, it requires interaction and building relationships with the students, and in a virtual environment, online discussions are the best way to interact and build relationships. Unfortunately, contrary to the name, there is no such way possible through Google Classroom. Thus, it can only be used within the limits of what it allows. 


Finally, besides the challenges of having to integrate or cloud in the various subjects by creating multiple classrooms, the real test of its viability comes from the presence of a good internet and networking facility. And possibly, it will be good if the Government can provide mobile phone to students from economically weaker sections which would not only enable and enhance learning but more so, a way of providing justice.


 
(Dr Asangba Tzudir contributes a weekly guest editorial to The Morung Express. Comments can be emailed to asangtz@gmail.com)