SpacesEDU vs. Google for Education

SpacesEDU configures Portrait of a Graduate Portfolio Templates at the district level aligned to local competencies and implementation models. Students, educators, and mentors can use multimedia tools to add evidence of skill development tied to competencies and provide multimedia reflections/feedback. Presentation Mode helps support defense of learning and URL Portfolio Sharing can be used to set students apart on college and job applications. Administrators can view how students are tracking toward competency development by school, grade range, and competency.

Google for Education does not offer dedicated tools to support Portrait of a Graduate. Cloud storage for student work files is provided, however, students lose access once they graduate or leave the school. The platform does not offer specialized features to connect student work with graduate outcomes, competency tracking, or structured portfolios.

SpacesEDU gives teachers the ability to tie evidence of learning directly to their standards, assess using their district’s custom proficiency scale, and leverage a Proficiency Report to view progression data at the individual and class levels. A standards-based gradebook provides comprehensive proficiency-based assessment tracking. Summary reports can be created in real-time using a dedicated Reporting Space.

Google for Education operates based on a traditional grading system model and lacks the infrastructure to support true proficiency-based assessment. The absence of standards integration limits the ability to align assessments with learning objectives, or track competency development and standards coverage over time.

SpacesEDU provides families with dedicated family accounts to actively participate in their child's learning journey through real-time progress monitoring, two-way messaging, and interactive feedback tools.

Google for Education allows families to monitor student grades, missing assignments, and upcoming work through automated email summaries within Google Classroom, however, these summaries do not allow families to view real-time detailed student portfolios or directly interact with student work.

SpacesEDU offers Class Spaces, Group Spaces, and 1:1 Spaces to help meet diverse classroom needs. Up to 10 teachers can collaborate in each Class. Custom Activities and multimedia tools allow for personalized learning pathways and feedback.

Google for Education offers standard classroom management, assignment management and collaboration features with up to 50 co-teachers. Student group work is restricted to specific assignments. For educators to provide students with rich media feedback, a third-party integration is required.

SpacesEDU offers a powerful Proficiency Report that provides educators with real-time insights into individual student performance and class-wide progress. Easy-to-read dashboards provide student and family engagement data. Class-wide analytics offer visibility into standards coverage, assessment outcomes, and learning trends. School and district administrators have access to stakeholder engagement data and comprehensive reports.

Google for Education provides foundational grade and assignment tracking with a reliable gradebook system. Educators can create custom categories and manually identify learning patterns through additional or third-party tools.

SpacesEDU offers SIS/LMS syncing, rostering, and SSO (Google, Microsoft, Clever). QR Code Login allows younger learners to access their accounts with ease. Dedicated third-party integrations include Google Drive and One Drive, including easy login and classroom set-up. Other external tools can be integrated simply by adding the URL to a Class Post. Full functionality is available across all devices by web browser and mobile app.

Google for Education provides reliable integration within its ecosystem, with LMS/SIS sync, and secure single sign-on and Clever authentication options, however, student QR Code Login is not available. Mobile apps are available but are tool-specific. Google for Education integrates with a variety of third-party tools.

SpacesEDU provides a dedicated Partner Success Specialist to guide schools or districts through onboarding and implementation. They remain a trusted SpacesEDU advisor long after onboarding ends. Custom professional development is available along with live training, on-demand training, certification courses, and an extensive library resources and knowledge base. Access premium support along with dedicated email and chat support for teachers. A public-facing roadmap emphasizes user input—help shape future updates by sharing feedback.

Google for Education offers robust on-demand training and tutorials through their Education Training Center, plus a large community of teachers sharing tips and tricks. Paid licenses can also receive personalized guidance, as well as access to a large collection of templates and guides created by fellow educators.