The New and Improved Google Classroom

Hi Chris, I use almost all of the other Google products regularly in my classroom, but have never used Google Classroom because it had too many shortcomings -- so I was really was happy to see someone "update" Google Classroom. Certainly the integration of the additional tools (wikis, gradebook, etc.) are welcome and the ability to divide the classroom into separate units is also a huge improvement. I think that these added features make Google Classroom more appealing as a day-to-day course management platform and Google's existing popularity and market saturation is a boon to making the new and improved Google Classroom a success. I did find that your elevator pitch lacked just a little bit of detail about the products improvements / what problems it would be solving, which may have been problematic if I wasn't already well informed on what Google Classroom was and what it could do, but after digging a little deeper into your venture, I'd be keen to invest in the updated product.

Hi Chris, this is my second attempt... The first one was ready to go and didn't load. I have to say that I'm a big fan of Google products. We use Google Drive at work to keep track of the different projects. Unfortunately, I'm not familiar at all with Google Classroom, but it looks like it has some nice features, even better with your suggestions. If you would like to widen your audience, I wonder if this could be used for corporate training as well? Your elevator pitch and the venture pitch were informative and easy to follow. Well done!

FEEDBACK: Hi Chris, I have never used Google Classroom, but based on your elevator pitch is sounds like there is an opportunity for improvement here. I enjoyed watching your pitch, but wondered who specifically was your audience? As an EVA I felt that this was geared more towards a Google exec than an investor. Overall, great job!

Feedback - Great venture pitch Chris. I see a lot of potential in the changes you made feel like this product could really disrupt the LMS market. In some ways the current LMS offerings seem like first generation products. A lot schools boards and institutions are switching to Gmail and the suite of products associated with it – which could include Classroom. This offers a potential cost savings in that institutions would no longer have to pay for an LMS and an email server – it would be rolled into one. Some elements that could have used further detail included the competitive analysis – inertia can be a strong factor in my world (the highered market) and faculty struggle to adapt to change when it does happen. If there is something they are using that is good enough, they will continue to use it. Being able to show why you are better versus the competitors perceived strengths can go a long way to overcoming this inertia. Great job!

Hi Chris! Thanks for putting into your pitch, the thoughts that I have always had about Google Classroom. You touched upon the functionalities that I love about Google Classroom, and also many of the opportunities to improve the application. Since your were acting as an intrapraneur for Google, it would have been nice to hear you discuss how the time and money spent on development of Google Classroom would help Google succeed and grow their business. According to some sources, Office 365 is now surpassing Google Apps for Education in K-12 schools in the United States. Perhaps the new and improved Google Classroom could be incentive for these schools to turn back to Google.

REVIEW: Hi Chris, really loved this thanks! In my work I haven't had a chance to try Google Classroom as their servers don't meet the standard for use in a university (e.g. servers in the US, lack of control over data, privacy). So I couch all my opinions in the understanding that I have never personally used the tool as it exists! I think that your changes and amendments to the existing service are excellent, and I think (providing the price is right) could have enormous uptake in schools. Google's strength has always been it's massive marketshare in other existing marketspaces. I believe with the changes you've proposed that Google could enter with a LMS product at a lower price point than competitors, and with a more familiar/user friendly interface for many users, which could gain them immediate attention.

FEEDBACK: Your ideas for improving the google interface are well chosen and as a classroom moodle user who also uses google docs within the same classes I would love see the best of both worlds in one place. I was ready to rubber stamp your proposal and fund it in the role of a google higher up. But that was before I read Dan's review and realized I have a very poor imagination when it comes to running a corporation. Dan makes great points about cost/benefits for the company that i wish I could say that I thought of. In brief: I want the changes you are suggesting. I hope that someone like you can make your case to the corporation.

REVIEW: (Reposted to meet week 13 guidelines...need to read instructions) Hi Chris, Sounds like this is an intrapeneurial venture and we are your google higher-ups. As a teacher, I love google classroom. I use it for just about everything and there are a number of things I wish they would add. My understanding though, is that google has stated they do not want google classroom to be a full blown LMS. Your presentation will have to convince them (us) otherwise. I like your added features. A parent portal would also be very welcome. As a corporation, I would like to here more about how these features will gain us customers. Are we losing customers for not having these features or are we alienating teachers by not having them. Survey data to support your chances will help your proposal to carry extra clout. As a higher up, I would consider your proposals but would like some extra data. Should these prove to be features that would attract customers from other platforms to us, I would seriously consider their development.

Hi Chris, Sounds like this is an intrapeneurial venture and we are your google higher-ups. As a teacher, I love google classroom. I use it for just about everything and there are a number of things I wish they would add. My understanding though, is that google has stated they do not want google classroom to be a full blown LMS. Your presentation will have to convince them (us) otherwise. I like your added features. A parent portal would also be very welcome. As a corporation, I would like to here more about how these features will gain us customers. Are we losing customers for not having these features or are we alienating teachers by not having them. Survey data to support your chances will help your proposal to carry extra clout.

Google's educational apps and products are pretty much on the mark. I have enjoyed using their products and your idea could really extend their grasp on the market by providing useful and well thought out products. Taking Google Classroom and developing an LMS could be a good idea. It could be a tough go because of the market of LMSs but making an LMS with useful and easy to use feature (like the other google products) could make the New Google Classroom stand above the rest.