Blackboard Learning Management vs Google Classroom comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Jul 4, 2023

We performed a comparison between Blackboard Learning Management and Google Classroom based on our users’ reviews in four categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Features: Blackboard Learning Management is highly effective in consolidating grading information and monitoring student engagement. Google Classroom is praised for its intuitive interface, ability to reuse materials, seamless integration with other Google applications, and convenient access through the cloud. Blackboard Learning Management could enhance its file handling capabilities, student activity tracking, video feedback embedding, and assignment viewing pane. Google Classroom could improve its grading and assignment-tracking capabilities as well as its integration with third-party platforms. 
  • Service and Support: Blackboard Learning Management has a dedicated customer service team consisting of 25 to 35 individuals from the Center of Teaching Excellence and the Academic Support Center. They often rely on the Blackboard representative for complex issues. Some Google Classroom users experienced difficulty in obtaining support and feel that their feedback is not acknowledged. Many appreciate the peer support they can find on Google forums and online knowledge bases. Notably, Google does not offer direct technical support. Finding assistance can be complicated, often requiring navigation through various websites. Seeking support from a partner is suggested.
  • Ease of Deployment: The initial setup for Blackboard Learning Management is user-friendly, allowing for easy content transfer between semesters. Setting up Google Classroom can be challenging for teachers with multiple classes because they must create separate classes for each subject, potentially confusing students. However, organizations and volunteer teachers find the setup process straightforward.
  • Pricing: Blackboard Learning Management is regarded as expensive. Google Classroom has a free version for educational institutions, but private companies usually have to pay a significant amount.

Comparison Results: Our users prefer Google Classroom over Blackboard Learning Management because of its flexibility, convenience, and affordability. Users appreciate Google Classroom's ease of use and native integration with other Google apps. They value the ability to reuse materials and access them on the cloud. Blackboard has been faulted for its inability to handle large file sizes and shortcomings in student management. While users say that Google Classroom is cost-effective for educational institutions, reviewers found Blackboard to be expensive, and it requires frequent updates. 

To learn more, read our detailed Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom Report (Updated: March 2024).
765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"The modules and courses are flexible.""It encompasses various components, including course delivery modules, content management, community engagement features, digital classrooms, and mobile integration.""One of the most important features is the possibility of creating unlimited subdomains.""Blackboard enables instructors to collectively gather all the grading data into one place. If students upload content or post it to a Google Doc, I can do my grading and calculate the grades. It is an excellent holding place for all of that data""It is scalable."

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"What I liked most about Google Classroom is it was very easy to communicate with the students and simple for me to learn even though it was the first time I was using it. I was able to learn the features very well by navigating through the different discussions forums and becoming proficient, not necessarily a master but knowledgeable in using the solution. The ease of use was the best feature.""Google Classroom is simple to use.""I find Jamboard to be a great tool for supporting classroom activities.""When a teacher uploads material, all students connected to that class will receive the same information at the same time. I have found this to be a valuable feature. I also like that the material remains in Google Classroom until the teacher removes it. The UI is user-friendly, and you don't have to have prior experience to use the solution.""I can see all the submissions in a central place.""The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is the ability to share my lectures with many students, assign tasks to be completed, and overall student engagement.""The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is the ability for the lecturer to put in work. Additionally, the work can be graded after completion, and there can be feedback provided through the system which has a good interface.""I like that Google Classroom is free and integrates with the entire Google Suite, which includes Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, etc. I also like its flexibility, which makes it perfect for synchronous, asynchronous, and blended courses, and including live and archived webinars, as well as other kinds of content."

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Cons
"The system falls short in terms of managing assessments and exams effectively.""The solution must provide better integration with third-party software.""Blackboard has limitations in terms of delivering content and assessing student assignments because it can't handle large file sizes. It's also limited in its ability to track student activity. Instructors can see the student's most recent login, but they can't follow the activity.""The solution is not flexible.""It would be ideal to create a more responsive or more intuitive template for access from telephones or tablets."

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"Google Classroom could improve by being easier to use. For example, making it functional with only a few buttons. It's difficult to know how to connect with students and make a link and share it with them. I found it difficult, and this is why I didn't continue using it. Additionally, it should be available to be downloaded to the desktop for use, similar to Zoom.""It would be useful if this solution had its own online teaching platform with an integration with a Google video conferencing tool.""The user interface of Google Classroom could improve by being more user-friendly.""There are some websites where you can create activities and guide students to do them in a sequence. You can guide them to do an activity first and then go to the next one. You can automatically link activities, and there is a flow, but in Google Classroom, you don't have that feature. All you can do is put the material and tell students what to do. For example, I have an assignment, but I want my students to read a particular text before that. They need to tick it, or they need to click next before they start doing the activity. After that, I want them to do comprehension questions or something else. In Moodle, there are activities such as assignments, quizzes, etc. There is a lesson module in which you can put all of the activities in a flow. So, you can decide what they need to do first. If students answer a question incorrectly, you can decide and design to which page do they need to go next, and which part do they need to review. This is currently missing in Google Classroom.""The solution's GUI is an area of concern currently that can be considered for improvement in the future.""The stability could be improved.""Students used to have points that were accumulated and the letter grades, such as A's, B's, C's, et cetera. Google Classroom should add a feature by which you can toggle in between both of them. It's more than only accumulated points, which are not going to mean that much for students unless there's a prize at the end or some type of reward for the effort. However, if there's a way to toggle in between allocating points versus allocating a grade, it would be nice.""There are a lot of things that need to be fixed in order for it to be called a learning management system. I think that's where a lot of people are very confused in terms of what Google Classroom actually does. Google Classroom is not a learning management system. A learning management system allows teachers to grade with authenticity and doesn't provide only one grade for a particular document or assignment."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "At the beginning, you can choose a basic plan. As your users grow you can buy a more expensive license."
  • More Blackboard Learning Management Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "We are an educational institution, and it is free of charge for us. Normally, if you are a private company, you have to pay a lot of money to get this service, but they are giving it for free to schools."
  • "If you do a certain size and build, it's like any Google solution. You have to pay for storage, but you don't need to pay extra to use the interface. There may be Google Classroom partners that provide more integrated solutions, but I don't know. I'm strictly DIY."
  • "We did not need a license to use Google Classroom."
  • "I'm using a free version of Google Classroom, so it's a product I don't pay for."
  • "There are competitors that offer free solutions, making the price of Google Classroom high."
  • "Google Classroom is a free solution."
  • "Google Classroom is a free solution. There is paid version that has more options, the cost is approximately eight dollars per student per month."
  • "The solution is affordable."
  • More Google Classroom Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The solution is a bit expensive. However, I wasn't on the budgeting side of the business and can't speak to exact costs. On a scale from one to five, with five being the most expensive, I'd rate the… more »
    Top Answer:When the vendor made the push from Learn Original to Ultra, well-established features in the Learn Original version were not readily available in Learn ULTRA hence, the Blackboard Learn Ultra version… more »
    Top Answer:The product's UI is good and user-friendly.
    Top Answer:There should be some changes in the way Google Classroom allows for interaction by devices. Google Classroom brings an upgrade that can help lessen the burden for children who have to carry books… more »
    Top Answer:My wife used to handle my child's classwork through Google Classroom. Through Google Classroom, my wife used to help my child follow the instructions provided by the teacher while also dealing with… more »
    Ranking
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    4
    Average Words per Review
    976
    Rating
    7.0
    Views
    3,278
    Comparisons
    1,035
    Reviews
    23
    Average Words per Review
    595
    Rating
    8.2
    Comparisons
    Learn More
    Overview

    Blackboard Learning Management System (LMS) is a comprehensive platform designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience in educational institutions. With its user-friendly interface and robust features, Blackboard LMS enables educators to create, deliver, and manage online courses effectively. Blackboard LMS is facilitates communication and collaboration among students and instructors. The platform's built-in discussion boards, chat rooms, and messaging systems enable real-time interaction and engagement, fostering a sense of community and allowing students to participate actively in the learning process.

    Blackboard LMS also provides a full set of tools for content creation and management. Educators can easily upload and organize course materials, including documents, videos, and multimedia resources. The platform supports various file formats, making it convenient for instructors to deliver diverse content to their students.

    Assessment and grading are simplified with Blackboard LMS. Educators can create online quizzes, assignments, and exams, and even set automated grading criteria. This saves time and effort, while also providing students with immediate feedback on their performance. The platform also offers grade book functionality, allowing instructors to track and manage student progress easily.

    Blackboard LMS features robust analytics and reporting capabilities. Educators can access detailed data on student engagement, performance, and participation, enabling them to identify areas for improvement and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly. This data-driven approach enhances the effectiveness of instruction and supports personalized learning.

    Blackboard LMS is also highly customizable, allowing institutions to tailor the platform to their specific needs. It integrates seamlessly with other educational tools and systems, ensuring a smooth workflow and enhancing the overall learning experience.

    Blackboard Learning Management System is a powerful and versatile platform that empowers educators to deliver engaging and effective online courses. With its comprehensive features, user-friendly interface, and customizable options, Blackboard LMS is a valuable tool for educational institutions seeking to enhance their teaching and learning environment.

    Google Classroom is an online learning platform that allows teachers to create and manage virtual classrooms. With Google Classroom, teachers can easily distribute assignments, communicate with students, and provide feedback. Students can access their assignments, submit their work, and collaborate with their peers all in one place. The platform integrates seamlessly with other Google tools like Google Drive and Google Docs, making it easy for students to create and share their work. Google Classroom also provides a streamlined workflow for teachers, allowing them to save time and stay organized. Google Classroom is a user-friendly and efficient tool that enhances the learning experience of teachers and students alike.

    Sample Customers
    University of Derby, University of Warwick, John Moore's University
    Google Classroom is used in major urban school districts throughout the United States, including: * Los Angeles Unified School District * Chicago Public Schools * New York City Department of Education * Houston Independent School District * Miami-Dade County Public Schools * Dallas Independent School District * Broward County Public Schools * Clark County School District (Las Vegas) * Philadelphia School District
    Top Industries
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    University25%
    Educational Organization19%
    Computer Software Company8%
    Government7%
    REVIEWERS
    University47%
    Educational Organization29%
    Government6%
    Non Profit6%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Educational Organization24%
    University11%
    Computer Software Company8%
    Government8%
    Company Size
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business22%
    Midsize Enterprise16%
    Large Enterprise62%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business50%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business28%
    Midsize Enterprise15%
    Large Enterprise58%
    Buyer's Guide
    Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom
    March 2024
    Find out what your peers are saying about Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom and other solutions. Updated: March 2024.
    765,234 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Blackboard Learning Management is ranked 8th in Learning Management Systems (LMS) with 6 reviews while Google Classroom is ranked 3rd in Learning Management Systems (LMS) with 23 reviews. Blackboard Learning Management is rated 7.8, while Google Classroom is rated 8.2. The top reviewer of Blackboard Learning Management writes "Expandable with good real-time live interactions but is very expensive". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Google Classroom writes "It's free and integrates seamlessly with many tools". Blackboard Learning Management is most compared with CYPHER Learning and ELITE LMS, whereas Google Classroom is most compared with Moodle, Canvas LMS and CYPHER Learning. See our Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom report.

    See our list of best Learning Management Systems (LMS) vendors.

    We monitor all Learning Management Systems (LMS) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.