As teachers and students alike move toward integrating virtual learning platforms into their regular educational experience, it’s important to choose the right tools that will improve this experience rather than complicate or detract from it.

Google Classroom and G Suite for Education are two such tools that have become increasingly popular.Google Classroom is a free web platform or service for schools that simplifies the learning experience for educators, students, administrators, and parents.

It is included in G Suite for Education, which is a set of cloud computing, productivity, and collaboration products and tools. Both are either free or offer free versions and are popular tools for integrated and virtual learning.

‍Though linked as part of the same platform, there are some key differences in the features and functions each product includes.Understanding Google Classroom and G SuiteBoth Google Classroom and G Suite have the following characteristics:

• Easy to sign up for an account, learn the platform, and use the features
• Accessible from any device and linked across all Google tools
• User-friendly and intuitive for people of all backgrounds and abilities
• Streamlines all aspects of learning, including sharing files and grading
• Provides a superior educational experience for all users
• Let’s learn a little more about each one.

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Let’s learn a little more about each one.Google ClassroomAs the name implies, Google Classroom is an online classroom that can be used for virtual learning. Teachers and students can gather together online to learn new subjects, discuss upcoming tests, and more.

Parents can even join for conferences and special events.Besides offering an online gathering space, Google Classroom also features a variety of functions that simplifies creating lessons, grading assignments, sharing files, and more.Users and AccountsGoogle Classroom is available for users who meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Schools – must be using G Suite for Education.
• Individuals – must be over 13 years of age and have a personal Google Account*.
• Organizations – must be using G Suite for Nonprofits

*Children under the age of 13 should only use Classroom with a G Suite for Education or Nonprofits account.

Users with school accounts, personal Google accounts, and G Suite accounts can all access Google Classroom.

Depending on the learning setting needed, each type of account has its own benefits and drawbacks.

But generally, it’s recommended that students and teachers have G Suite accounts so that they can access Classroom features.

The types of user accounts are outlined below:School Account – These accounts are for individuals at accredited schools using G Suite for Education.

An institution’s IT administrator creates and manages these types of accounts and provides individuals with emails and passwords.

Parents and guardians can’t access Google Classroom or student assignments, but can receive email summaries with teacher permission.

Best for: individuals like teachers and students within a school, organization, or company.

‍Personal Account – These accounts are for individuals using Google Suite products. Each individual creates and manages their own account.

Students can access Google Classroom, but don’t have access to certain features: students can’t email classmates, and teachers can’t invite guardians to sign up for email summaries.

Best for: pairing with Classroom outside of a school setting, such as a tutoring center, homeschooling, etc.

‍G Suite Account – These accounts are for large organizations running G Suite Basic, Business, Enterprise, or G Suite for Nonprofits.

An organization’s admin creates and manages these types of accounts and provides individuals with emails and passwords.

Best for: large organizations and companies, such as the school itself.Users can join classes creates by other account types, but it depends on what account types and G Suite versions are being used by the student and primary teacher.

Reference this FAQ chart to see which accounts can join classes under what circumstances.Google Classroom can be accessed online or as an app on iOS, Android, and Chrome devices.

Features and FunctionsOnce Google Classroom is set up, teachers, students, guardians, and administrators will all have access to a variety of actions. The chart below, courtesy of Google Classroom’s About page, outlines these features and functions. 

UserGoogle Classroom ActionsTeachers

• Create and manage classes, assignments, and grades
• Add materials to assignments, such as YouTube videos, a Google Forms survey, and other items from Google Drive
• Provide direct, real-time feedback to students
• Use the class stream to post announcements and engage students in question-driven discussions.
• Push content to students’ screens
• Invite parents and guardians to sign up for email summaries with a student's upcoming or missing work

Students

• Track classwork and submit assignments
• Get feedback and grades
• Share resources and interact in the class stream or by email
• Share your screen with a teacher

Parents / Guardians

• Receive email summaries of your student’s work
• Review announcements and activities

Administrators

• Protect data and set permissions for your users
• Customize permissions depending on the user
• Set up classes and corresponding rosters
• Create, view, or delete classes
• Add or remove students and teachers from classes

This wide variety of uses is just one of the reasons that Google Classroom is so valued by those in the educational field.Getting Started

• To get started and sign up for a Classroom account, visit this page.
• For help, try referencing the Google Classroom Help Community. You can describe your issue and view related posts and solutions.

G Suite For EducationG Suite for Education is a collection of products and services like Google Classroom that expands beyond the teaching sphere and provides an online suite for all aspects of educational instruction and communication.

Whereas Google Classroom is mainly for teacher and student interaction, G Suite connects all employees and staff.

‍Versions and AccountsG Suite for Education comes in two versions: a free version that includes Google Classroom and an upgraded Enterprise version that costs a yearly user fee.

A pricing breakdown is available here.The free version offers a comprehensive suite of tools that makes it easy for students and educators to connect and learn, while G Suite Enterprise includes all of the features from the free version and includes added security, data features, and digital learning tools.

• Dial-in access and closed captioning for meetings (US only)

• Dial-in access and closed captioning for meetings (US and international)
• Larger meetings of up to 150 participants
• Livestream up to 100k in-domain viewers
• Record meetings to Drive

Originality Reports CapabilitiesNo

• Unlimited originality reports
• Student-to-student comparison (beta)

Cloud Storage Unlimited Discovery for Emails, Chats, and Files

• Retention and archiving for Gmail and Google Chat
• Audit user activity reports

• Retention and archiving for Gmail and Google Chat
• Audit user activity reports

Security and Admin

• Device management for Android and iOS
• Data loss prevention for Gmail and Drive
• Hosted S/MIME for Gmail
• Enterprise-grade access control with security keys

• Advanced mobile device management
• Data loss prevention for Gmail and Drive
• Hosted S/MIME for Gmail
• Enterprise-grade access control with security keys
• Ability to integrate Gmail with compliant third-party archiving tools
• Security center
• Security investigation tool
• Anomaly detector (beta)
• Advanced Protection Program (beta)
• Security Sandbox

Data and Insights

• Gmail logs export
• Data regions

As shown above, it’s not necessary for users to upgrade to the Enterprise version in order to receive a quality experience or create an excellent educational environment.Features and FunctionsWith G Suite, you can do all of the following:

• Co-edit documents, spreadsheet, and presentations in real time
• Connect classrooms with email, chat, and video
• Create classes, make assignments, give quizzes, and save time grading
• Build to-do lists, create task reminders, and schedule meetings
• Manage students, devices, and security
• Some of the most commonly-used G Suite tools include: 

ToolsUserG Suite ActionsGoogle ClassroomStudentsFind assignments, communicate with teachers, and receive feedback and grades.Google FormsTeachersCreate quizzes, surveys, and interactive in-class activitiesGoogle CalendarTeachersMark upcoming events and assignments and create appointment slots to meet with students and/ or guardiansGoogle DriveStudentsStore, organize, and access assignments, documents, and class curriculaAccessibility FeaturesStudentsUse voice typing or a screen-reader, connect a Braille display, or turn on closed captionsThe accessibility features are specifically useful for educational settings, since all students regardless of physical or other capabilities deserve to receive the same quality of learning.Getting Started

• To get started and sign up for a G Suite account, visit this page.
• For help, try referencing these setup guides or visit the Product Support center.