Here to Stay: Google Workspace and the Post-Pandemic Classroom

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically transformed education. Instructors were compelled to integrate digital tools to maintain collaboration, interactivity, and feedback in virtual classrooms. This article evaluates the continued viability of Google Docs, Google Slides, and Pear Deck—tools that were integral to my teaching during Emergency Remote Teaching (ERT)—to foster participation and dynamic learning environments in post-pandemic education. Drawing on Anstey and Watson's Rubric for eLearning Tool Evaluation, I assess these tools across key dimensions, including social presence, teaching presence, and cognitive presence, as well as additional criteria such as ease of use, collaboration, and learning analytics. Using practical examples, the analysis highlights how these tools enable pre-class preparation, real-time collaboration, and formative feedback to create inclusive feedback-rich environments. While challenges such as limited learning analytics and subscription-based features persist, the tools collectively demonstrate their enduring potential to enhance in-person post-pandemic learning experiences. This study underscores the value of continuing to integrate pandemic-era tools into everyday instructional practices.