Google classroom as a mathematics learning space: potentials and challenges

Abstract

Abstract Information and communication technologies have become a very powerful means of student engagement in an online learning environment. Google Classroom is an easy-to-use educational application that enables teachers to extend their student learning online. With Google Classroom, teachers can create classes, post assignment, grade and send feedback, and see students’ works in real-time. This study aims to investigate the students’ perspectives on their engagement in online learning in Google Classroom. An ethnographic case study was employed to explore and observe student activities in a virtual class in Google Classroom. Questionnaire survey and semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand students’ perceptions of online learning through Google Classroom. The results showed that Google Classroom has good potential to support students’ learning. Students could access the learning resources provided by the teacher at anytime and anywhere. They were also able to construct their knowledge by actively participating in an online discussion forum, and the instructional practices can be performed efficiently. Some challenges that arise included the limited availability of devices, technical issues, and the low level of familiarity of Google Classroom’s features, the readiness of students to study independently online. Although challenges arise, the teacher enabled to deal with the issues well.