Many students remember using Google Classroom in middle school and elementary school, but schools started requiring Canvas in the 2023-2024 school year, which replaced Google Classroom. I felt as if the change from Google Classroom and Canvas was unnecessary and wasn’t needed. 

Google Classroom is better organized than Canvas, with the due assignments being placed below the class. Therefore, it is generally easier to use than Canvas because Canvas is more complex. It’s also easier to turn things in with Google Classroom because it’s synchronized with Google. Google Classroom has a better design than Canvas, and it’s an overall better tool for learning than Canvas.

Senior Kellan Dorey gives his take on how the school would benefit if they bring back Google Classroom (RCHS doesn’t plan on switching back to Google Classroom.)

“If the School brings back Google Classroom, I feel like students would be a lot happier to get on their chromebooks to do assignments,” Dorey said.

Meanwhile Canvas is used in most colleges, so it would be good for students to know how to use it before they graduate high school. Canvas also has more tools than Google Classroom, though it makes it more complex to use. This makes it slightly harder on students, who already have enough stress with the assignments they have to do. Not only does Canvas have more complex tools, it’s also harder to turn things in, with students having to download their Google Doc as a Pdf or other documents. 

Junior Colbert Peters gives his comparisons on Google Classroom and Canvas. 

“Google Classroom was fun and easy to use, Canvas isn’t too bad, it’s kind of annoying but it’s not awful, and I think Google Classroom is a lot better than Canvas, but they’re both alright,” Peters said.

While Google Classroom might be favorable among students, some teachers feel like Canvas has better and more tools and is a better learning instrument.

Chemistry Teacher Zachary Rhodenizer gives his take on Google Classroom. 

“Google Classroom was a good introduction for students to an online learning platform, but I think it’s very basic and didn’t have the tools that I wanted to use as a teacher and I thought it was better suited for Elementary and Middle School students,” Rhodenizer said.

While Canvas is used in most colleges and has more tools, it’s more complex for high schoolers and only adds to students stress.