Google Classroom is one of the most popular learning management systems, but it has its limitations. Here are a few excellent alternatives.
Google Classroom is a popular learning management system (LMS) that allows you to communicate and share files for online learning. The LMS is easy to use, collaborative, and integrates with many educational apps.
Although Classroom offers many useful features, it lacks several classroom management elements for standard hybrid learning. For instance, Classroom doesn’t have a standards-based grading option.
Fortunately, there are many Google Classroom alternatives. From free LMS that allow lots of customizations to paid options that are well-aligned with industry standards, here are five alternatives to Google Classroom.
Edmodo is a powerful LMS that lets you build a vibrant classroom community by sharing engaging lessons and keeping parents updated. The easy-to-implement LMS is set up like a social media platform for improved student engagement. You’ll also find training resources to get started quickly.
Edmodo primarily targets the K-12 market and allows schools to integrate the LMS with their Student Information System (SIS). The platform also works with Google Apps and Microsoft Office apps and can be accessed via a web browser or Edmodo mobile apps.
You can sign up for a parent account. Parents can sign in and see their children’s assignments, grades, and progress. Edmodo offers a free plan with limited storage of 1GB. The paid plans offer unlimited storage, Zoom integration, an institution resource library, administrative tools, and prioritized support.
TalentLMS is another easy-to-use platform that lets you create online training courses. You can use the cloud LMS to train your partners, employees, and customers online.
The LMS allows you to customize your portal to match your brand and build training courses quickly. You can also add tests and quizzes and host live sessions to create an engaging user experience.
The software’s course builder lets you upload files and drag and drop elements to create courses in minutes. The builder enables you to embed content like audio and video into courses. TalentLMS has resources meant to improve the knowledge and skills of users. It includes materials for employee onboarding, compliance training, and analyzing results with reports.
The learning software integrates with popular business apps, like Zoom, Zapier, and Salesforce. Depending on the number of users, you can use the free version or get the paid version for $59 to $429 per month.
Moodle is one of the world’s most popular LMS. The free and open-source software allows educators to create highly engaging virtual learning environments for their learners.
The online learning solution is flexible, scalable, and feature-rich and is great for creating educational websites. It includes features like the text editor that works from within the web interface. The text editor allows you to format text and add in images and other content.
Moodle has a modern interface with a dashboard that displays a list of courses and pending tasks. You’ll also have access to a calendar for personal events and group meetings.
The platform includes cohort-based user management and is a good choice for learning institutions. Students and instructors can collaborate via chats and forums.
The LMS supports MP4, MP3, WAV, SCORM, and IMS and allows you to add quizzes, badges, workshops, Google Apps, and even plugins. You can drag and drop files from popular online cloud storage providers, like Google Drive and DropBox.
It also supports Google Analytics tracking, integrates with open-source video conferencing software like BigBlueButton, and is touted for its security features. The platform is offered in two variations and has mobile apps, with a lot of documentation on its site. You can download and host the software yourself for free, or use the cloud-based version. Paid plans start at $110 per year for up to 50 users.
Tovuti is an all-in-one LMS that gives you the necessary tools to create courses in minutes. You can build courses using the platform’s built-in course authoring feature or start from scratch by importing your PowerPoints, videos, and SCORM files.
The cloud-based LMS allows you to build, publish, and track the effectiveness of eLearning programs. You can create different kinds of content like quizzes, interactive videos, and memory games. Plus, you can host live events and collect fees.
You can customize the LMS for any type of course for schools, businesses, and anyone selling their courses online. There are many customization features, including options to change logos, colors, and other elements of organizational branding.
Tovuti has whiteboards and virtual classes with breakout rooms. Students can access courses, checklists, and badges via their personal dashboards.
The powerful automation tool allows auto-assignment of courses, gating of content, and segmentation of learners. Tovuti supports gamification, making learning more fun. It also includes a feedback feature that allows students to rate and review your courses.
In addition, it offers an open API and integrates with Zapier to make communication with other platforms easier. The LMS provides a blend of marketing and ecommerce LMS features with course management functionalities. Pricing starts at $700 per month for up to 50 users.
Canvas is a popular LMS with innovative course-assembly tools. The LMS is easy to set up and use and has a simple and clean design. The LMS integrates with many third-party tools and supports SCORM files and files from vendors like Moodle and Blackboard. Instructors and students can also access G Suite from inside the LMS.
The online learning platform allows you to design courses, add students, import content, and add calendar events. With Canvas LMS, you can create assignments, quizzes, and video conferences, to mention a few. Instructors can use the platform’s SpeedGrader to grade assignments faster. The LMS automatically parses each assignment into the syllabus, grade book, or course calendar.
The LMS includes tabs for announcements, files, assignments, discussions, and an option for students to track their progress in the class.
Canvas offers smartphone apps and integrates with popular software like Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, and Adobe Connect Apps. It also integrates with social media sites such as Twitter.
Though the LMS lacks gamification, it communicates very well. It includes messaging tools, audio, video, other collaboration tools, and an active forum with more than 1.4 million members. And, it’s free for individual teachers and students and paid institutional plans.
Recent years have seen classroom management tools move online. This includes typical LMS functions like classwork, homework, and schedules so educators and learners can access them from anywhere in the world.
While Google Classroom remains an easy-to-use LMS, it’s less adaptable to unique needs. Whether ease of use, affordability, customization, or privacy is your priority, there are many Google Classroom alternatives that could best meet your needs.
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Denis is a tech writer at MakeUseOf. He especially enjoys writing about Android and has an obvious passion for Windows. His mission is to make your mobile devices and software easier to use. Denis is a former loan officer who loves dancing!
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