Blackboard Learning Management vs Google Classroom comparison

Blackboard and Google are both solutions in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category. Blackboard is ranked #5 with an average rating of 7.3, while Google is ranked #3 with an average rating of 8.4. Blackboard holds a 2.5% mindshare in LMS, compared to Google’s 8.3% mindshare. Additionally, 87% of Blackboard users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 96% of Google users who would recommend it.

Blackboard Learning Management

Read 8 Blackboard Learning Management reviews

2,582 Views
225 Comparison Views

87% willing to recommend

Google Classroom

Read 24 Google Classroom reviews

2,700 Views
939 Comparison Views

96% willing to recommend

Blackboard Learning Management

Google Classroom

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

Blackboard Learning Management and Google Classroom are two products competing in the educational technology sector. Blackboard appears to have an upper hand in advanced features, while Google Classroom's strength is in simplicity and integration.

Features: Blackboard offers comprehensive features such as strong reporting, robust assessment tools, and support for diverse educational needs. Google Classroom is noted for easy integration, adaptability, and collaborative capabilities with other Google services.

Room for Improvement: Blackboard could enhance flexibility, mobile compatibility, and simplify user experience. Google Classroom could benefit from better customization options, expanded functionality beyond basics, and more advanced features.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Blackboard requires a more involved deployment process with strong customer support. Google Classroom allows for quicker, simpler deployment but has customer service that sometimes lacks depth for complex issues.

Pricing and ROI: Blackboard has higher setup costs, but users are satisfied with the ROI due to depth. Google Classroom is seen as a cost-effective choice, offering affordability and an easily justified investment in resource-limited environments.

To learn more, read our detailed Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom Report (Updated: October 2024).

Buyer's Guide

Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom

October 2024

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Categories and Ranking

Blackboard Learning Management

Ranking in Learning Management Systems (LMS)

5th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Google Classroom

Ranking in Learning Management Systems (LMS)

3rd

Average Rating

8.2

Reviews Sentiment

7.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Learning Management Systems (LMS) category, the mindshare of Blackboard Learning Management is 2.5%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Google Classroom is 8.3%, down from 13.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Learning Management Systems (LMS)

Featured Reviews

James Phelps

Adjunct Professor at Nova Southeastern University

Expandable with good real-time live interactions but is very expensive

Initially, Blackboard had problems for faculty members who were forced to use it to try to get it set up and running. That said, over time, they improved that. Unfortunately, due to its licensing requirements on standalone systems, like at a university on our servers, we run into problems where we can only set it up in one way. The way you teach a biology class is not the way you teach a social science class, for example. It's not flexible. Often you are forced into compromising in such a manner that neither group would be happy. If you need help, the help desk in-house will provide 24-hour help to both students and faculty. That means you have eight people, eight hours a day, supervisors, and an overall manager. It takes at least 12 people to handle maintenance for a 10,000-person campus for 24-hour coverage.

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Andrew Bryson

IT Manager at Pipers Corner School

An easy-to-use and intuitive solution that can be used to facilitate excellent teaching and learning

We have very little to do with the solution's maintenance. Since it's an online software as a service (SaaS) platform, Google deals with all the maintenance, and we don't need to worry about it. We've got Microsoft 365, Firefly, and Google. It would be nice if that were all in one platform or integrated much more easily so that the look and feel was one single platform. Users should make sure they have done their planning properly. Users should not think they'll be able to just switch it on and it will all work. You do need to plan it and plan it carefully and properly. Overall, I rate Google Classroom a nine out of ten.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"One of Blackboard's strengths is its historical prominence as a leading LMS for universities in the US and Europe a decade or more ago."

"The modules and courses are flexible."

"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 encompasses various components, including course delivery modules, content management, community engagement features, digital classrooms, and mobile integration."

"It is scalable."

"The solution is easy to use."

"One of the most important features is the possibility of creating unlimited subdomains."

"What I like about Google Classroom are the video lessons. I enjoy using it because it makes my life easier, for example, I can easily change my class and my lecture notes."

"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 product's initial setup phase was easy."

"The most valuable features of Google Classroom are the meetings, mark book, and assignments."

"A teacher can send assignments and upload results using the product."

"The most valuable feature of Google Classroom is security."

"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."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is its performance."

More Google Classroom pros

Cons

"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."

"It would be ideal to create a more responsive or more intuitive template for access from telephones or tablets."

"The system falls short in terms of managing assessments and exams effectively."

"The solution must provide better integration with third-party software."

"Blackboard could benefit from significant improvements in its data storage and software functionality to remain competitive with more innovative LMS solutions."

"The solution is not flexible."

"The product's UI needs improvement."

"The solution's GUI is an area of concern currently that can be considered for improvement in the future."

"The initial setup of Google Classroom is straightforward. The deployment took us two to three months because we had to train the faculty."

"We found that Google Classroom is it is missing a lot in current engagement. We know it has got guardian access, where it sends the reports to the guardian at the end of either the week or the month, depending on how you set it. However, it lacks collaboration between the teacher, student, and parents. The engagement is mostly between the student and the teacher. If you have a school similar to ours, where you're dealing with little children where the parent is supposed to be engaged, you need a system that can engage them as well. It's good for senior students, but not for our students."

"The stability of the product is an area with certain flaws where improvements are required."

"It would be helpful to add voice or audio capabilities to the classrooms instead of text only."

"The initial setup is not very easy. It has modern complexity."

"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."

More Google Classroom cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"At the beginning, you can choose a basic plan. As your users grow you can buy a more expensive license."

"The product pricing tends to be higher than alternatives."

"We did not need a license to use Google Classroom."

"Google Classroom is free to use."

"The price of Google Classroom has been reasonable."

"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."

"For Google Classroom, you don't need to pay for its license because they offer free access to the platform."

"The solution is affordable."

"I'm using a free version of Google Classroom, so it's a product I don't pay for."

"Google Classroom is a free solution. There is paid version that has more options, the cost is approximately eight dollars per student per month."

More Google Classroom pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

University

24%

Educational Organization

20%

Government

Computer Software Company

Educational Organization

25%

University

11%

Computer Software Company

Government

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Blackboard Learning Management?

The modules and courses are flexible.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Blackboard Learning Management?

The product pricing tends to be higher than alternatives like Canvas, making Blackboard more suitable for larger universities with substantial budgets.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Blackboard Learning Management?

Blackboard could benefit from significant improvements in its data storage and software functionality to remain competitive with more innovative LMS solutions.

See all answers

What do you like most about Google Classroom?

The product's UI is good and user-friendly.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Google Classroom?

There is room for improvement in the notification. Just managing the Guardian invitations and ensuring they get notifications. That's what I mean. We're currently using GAM to do that.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Google Classroom?

It is for students, for learning, assignments, and all that. Just learning management. I don't use it as a teacher. I just support it, so I don't use it a lot as an end-user.

See all answers

Comparisons

No data available

Moodle vs Google Classroom

Compared 72% of the time

Canvas LMS vs Google Classroom

Compared 14% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Blackboard Learning Management

November 2024

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Buyer's Guide

Google Classroom

November 2024

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Learn More

Blackboard

Google

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

Buyer's Guide

Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom

October 2024

Free Report: Blackboard Learning Management vs. Google Classroom

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