HOW GOOGLE CLASSROOM IS TRANSFORMING TECHNOLOGY USE IN EDUCATION

Because Google Classroom is free for anyone to use, many school districts in the United States are using it. Where it has been implemented, it has revolutionized education. It has a suite of “apps” which are very similar to those of “Microsoft Office.” For instance, Science teachers in one California district have used it to incorporate professionally and student made animations for variety of content areas. Those, which are student made, called “explanimations,” have led to a much higher level of student engagement. Teachers have also shared and collaborated on instructional materials in new ways. There is one app in which self grading formative assessments can be made and administered too. But some educational leaders have sounded the alarm and forbade the use of Google Classroom. This is because Google is collecting vast quantities of information about students, teachers and others. This presentation explores the uses, pros and cons of the “Google-sphere.”