Google Classroom vs Canvas
- Feb 22, 2016
- 1 min read
There have been a lot of questions, in our district, lately about the differences between Google Classroom and Canvas. It's no secret that our district plans to launch Canvas as a Learning Management System next school year. You may be thinking to yourself, "Why would I spend time investing in Google Classroom when I'm just going to have to switch to Canvas next year?"
Let me try and clarify. Google Classroom is not a learning management system (LMS). It is not a gradebook. It is not a student information system. Google classroom is a solution designed to help teachers teach effectively, manage document sharing and provide feedback within the Google Apps for Education system. It creates an organized environment for delivering your classes and for students to do their work.
Canvas is a Learning Management System. Some of the features of Canvas are similar to Google Classroom’s features but they are not designed to work exclusively with GAFE. Canvas has a wealth of features far beyond Google Classroom and will facilitate the ability to deliver online courses. Something Google Classroom is not designed to do. Ideally, when Canvas is rolled out it will work in conjunction with Google Classroom.
These videos might give you some insight into the features of Google Classroom & Canvas.
In my opinion, getting your students started in the Google Classroom environment now will ease the transition to Canvas and provide them with the knowledge to work in both pieces of software.
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