Starting from the 2024-2025 school year, the Wayne educational district is planning to switch its learning management system from Google Classroom to Canvas, a platform used by schools and universities all across the world. While this sudden change brings many uncertainties and doubts, it might actually be for the better.

Google Classroom undoubtedly has its own strengths and advantages. Multiple online sources describe the platform as easy to use as well as having effective communication and sharing that only speeds up the assignment process. Google Classroom is also well-known for its methods of giving effective feedback to students on a clean and user-friendly interface; the learning management system also has a great commenting system that allows students to ask any questions they may have and receive a response in a quick and timely manner.

Of course, Google Classroom also has multiple downsides, flaws, and areas for improvement. The platform is said to have difficult account management, meaning that Google doesn’t allow access from multiple domains. Google Classroom also has limited integration options as it lacks a connection to Google Calendar or any calendar at all, making it difficult to manage assignments and due dates. Users also struggle with difficult learner sharing and editing problems, making the navigation of Google Classroom difficult.

On the other hand, there are many positive reviews about Canvas all across the board. Multiple sites proclaim it as a “real LMS (learning management system)” and assert that it is better than Google Classroom “since it solves the problems with LMS tools many experience.” Canvas also offers more interactive features than Google Classroom for both synchronous and asynchronous learning, including “conferences, collaborations, discussions, and chats”, all of which allow teachers to deepen their students’ learning and engagement through built-in LMS functionality that Google Classroom ultimately lacks. Users of Canvas point out that multiple “organizational structures are missing from Google Classroom that would create a learning roadmap for students” as done by Canvas.

Mr. Turso, a history and geography teacher at Wayne Hills, has a very optimistic outlook on the district’s switch to Canvas, confirming that, “Yes, Canvas is coming to Wayne Hills 2024-25 and will replace our beloved Google Classroom. While that may make some people nervous, I am here to say the new platform will not only be simple for students to use but also provide a more customized experience for teachers and students alike. You will still have access to your Google Drive, so students will just have to learn some new mouse clicks and terminology, and we will be good to go. Embrace the change. It’s going to be great!”

Although the Wayne school district’s shift from Google Classroom to Canvas has some uncertainties, there will undoubtedly be many positive changes and improvements in Canvas for both teachers and students in the new school year.