Google classroom accumulates users

By Julia Adams
Staff Writer

As the school year continues to kick off, new methods of completing assignments have arisen, most notably Google Classroom.

Google Classroom is an educational app that allows teachers to assign work to students via Google. Many teachers have begun to use this application since its launch in 2014.

Biology teacher Mr. Todd Barshinger is one of the teachers around the school who uses Google Classroom as part of curriculum. 

“I like the distribution to the students,” Mr. Barshinger said. “It’s great that they each get an individual copy and can turn it in as they finish.”  This helps teachers to easily see when a student turns assignment in on time, as it will be marked late if it’s turned in pass a certain deadline.

“They put all the assignments up so you know what all you have to do and you turn it in,” Junior Sam Howard said. “He (Mr. Smith) puts all the stuff up online and I can go back whenever I want and that’s helpful.”

In some aspects, Google Classroom has been viewed as a positive, new way that students can learn in school. However, as with many other apps, there are still a few drawbacks that come with the application.

“I don’t like that you can’t send assignments as a group,” Mr. Barshinger said. “It would be nice if that was different.”  

Students are also frustrated with the the lack of uniformity when it comes to using the program. “I kind of don’t like how some classes do use it and some don’t, only because I have to go back and forth,” Howard said. “So I think they should all use it or all just not use it.”

Other discrepancies include students not having internet access at home and having to squeeze in the completion of assignments during class time.

​While there are both pros and cons to using Google Classroom, many courses are beginning to incorporate the app into their curriculum.

---