Virtual Tools Comparison

Clever

Clever, or the Digital Backpack, is a portal to provide single sign-on for various learning apps.

Strengths:

• Teachers can create custom "landing pages" for their students with learning apps and other resources used in the classroom.

• Many apps are pre-loaded in Clever and work seamlessly with the BPS Google Login.

Limitations:

• Students must be logged into their BPS accounts.

Access:

• Log in using BPS email or Clever badge.

• Teachers can add students to their Clever page through SIS roster.

Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a virtual classroom tool built into Google for Education accounts.

Strengths:

• Can communicate, share resources, assign work, and grade assignments online.

• Students can receive and submit assignments online.

• Students and teachers can interact via comments.

Limitations:

• Students must be enrolled in your classroom, either via email invitation or using a “class code.”

• Students must be logged into their BPS accounts.

Access:

• Enroll in a classroom using email invitation or class code.

• Must be logged into BPS Clever or gmail account.

This tool is for you if you...

• Want to assign and receive assignments to/from your students.

• Want to share resources with your class.

• Want the capability to interact with students through online comments or shared documents.

Google Sites

Google Sites is a drag-and-drop tool for creating websites. (This site was created using Google Sites!)

Strengths:

• Easily customizable with any type of content (links, images, videos, docs, etc.)

• Can easily be shared with students and families via a link; no log-in required.

Limitations:

• Can only be used for disseminating information and resources, not for getting assignments back.

Access:

• Sites can be shared using a link and does not require any log-in.

This tool is for you if you...

• Want to share resources such as links to other sites, videos, and Google docs to a large audience.

• Want to have a “landing page” for multiple other resources.