Microsoft Classroom vs Google Classroom: Difference and Comparison

Microsoft Classroom and Google Classroom are some of the most used for providing online education. They have their pros and cons and of course, it depends on your requirement too.

Key Takeaways

1. Microsoft Classroom integrates with the Microsoft Office suite, while Google Classroom connects with G Suite for Education.
2. Google Classroom focuses on simplicity and ease of use, whereas Microsoft Classroom offers more advanced features and customization options.
3. Both platforms provide essential tools for communication, collaboration, and assignment management in educational settings.

Microsoft Classroom vs Google Classroom

Microsoft Classroom is an online blended learning platform that comes with complex tools for organizing classes and meetings, and it offers access to Microsoft Office. Google Classroom is a free blended learning platform that makes it easy to create, distribute, and grade assignments between teachers and students.

Microsoft Classroom is a Microsoft platform that allows you to schedule classes, distribute assignments, notes, and supporting materials, have open voice and chat discussions, and can be viewed by a large number of people.

It also offers virtual classrooms with productivity tools, custom assignments, review and organization of students’ work, an easy grading system, high accessibility, open discussion groups, and more controllability by teachers or providers.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	Microsoft Classroom	Google Classroom
Easy to use	Microsoft Classroom has much more complex tools.	On the other hand, Google classroom has simple features and tools to use.
Document sharing	It shares documents with cloud-based programs such as google docs, etc.	However, In Microsoft Classroom sharing documents is only possible through OneDrive.
Platform development	Before, It was developed for business but then evolved for the learning environment.	Google Classroom is developed for educational purposes only.
Accessibility	More numbers of participants can access Microsoft Classroom.	In contrast, a limited number of participants can access Google Classroom.
Analyzing students’ progress	No tools for analysis of students’ progress in Microsoft Classroom	Better tools for analysis of students’ progress in Google Classroom.

What is Microsoft Classroom?

Microsoft Classroom offers a virtual space for large classrooms, meetings, lectures, etc.

Microsoft classrooms include a variety of functions, such as making organizing classes or meetings much easy. Students and teachers have access to Microsoft Office, making it easy to use Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Providers can also make teams based on different categories while organizing and maintaining the groups.  Assignments, messages, and open discussions are all simplified for both students and teachers.

Easy accessibility of materials even after classes. Although, notes are placed in a single location and can be accessed by any connected device. 

Teachers can save time in the classroom by tailoring assignments, sharing resources, and reviewing students’ homework with the help of tools. With teams and OneNote Class Notebook, teachers can assess and instruct students.

What is Google Classroom?

Many schools use Google Classroom as a virtual classroom and learning platform to provide digital education to their students. It gives a range of tools with easy and securable usage.

Teachers can comment in two-way communication on students’ assignments while a student working on such assignments. So there are no incomplete assignments or notes. 

A range of time-saving features for both teachers and students includes scheduling assignments to multiple classrooms, analyzing students’ engagement, managing several classes at once, and submission of work faster.

Moving forward to organization features, a reminder for students, reviews for both, and formatting coursework for students automatically enhance the learning environment. 

Main Differences Between Microsoft Classroom and Google Classroom

The main difference between Microsoft Classroom and Google Classroom is that they offer several tools for enhancing the learning environment.

1. Google Classroom is developed for educational purposes, whereas Microsoft Classroom is developed for business purposes.
2. Additional features in Microsoft Classroom can be accessed from the class page, whereas in Google Classroom, an extension to a webpage needs to be added to access the additional feature. 

References

1. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-47411-9_18
2. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Paul-Davidson-3/publication/323185079

Last Updated : 20 August, 2023