Since the beginning of the school year, emotions have soared through the GC halls over the removal of the Google Suites apps. While some people attempt to see the good in our school trying to better the community’s experience, others see it as a workflow disruption and have been having a rough time transitioning into the new school year. This situation is complex, with many layers that need to be considered. This is where one of GC’s thought-provoking debate classes can help us break down the layers behind this decision.

Digital Society, a course taught by technology and history teacher Mr. Gittings, is a class in which students are questioned to consider the effects in a conflict that have a connection to some technological usage or advancements. When questioned about the removal of the Google Suites apps, here are the alleged benefits behind the removal:

Features

The website versions of Google Suite programs, such as Google Docs, offer more features that are accessible compared to the software on handheld devices. These features include advanced formatting options, add-on support, and integration with other Google services.

Layout

The layout of the Google Suites website variations compared to the app store have been shown to include more default features than what was presented before. This allows students who have not used Google Suites as frequently as others such as Freshman, to have an easier entry into the work here at Good Counsel than the app variation.

College Preparation

Due to the usage of computers when students are studying in a college setting, switching to the website version of Google Docs helps prepare students for a similar scenario to what they will experience in the future. This change is more of a long-term improvement rather than a short-term one.

These are the main reasons for the change we are currently experiencing at the school. While it may take some time to adjust, it should ultimately provide students with a better understanding of available resources as they move forward through their academic journey.