How To Turn Off Student Comments in Google Classroom

I'm going to start this post off with a disclaimer. I strongly believe students learn better when they are allowed to communicate with each other, talk about problem-solving methods, and openly share ideas. Student-to-student interaction is essential for promoting an environment of learning and discovery. However, that culture must be carefully established with masterful teaching and allowing students to write comments in Google Classroom without teaching how to comment respectfully and responsibly can lead to frustration and tears - sometimes at best.

Here are the steps for turning student comments off in Google Classroom. Please note, you can follow the same steps for turning them back on.

1. Go to classroom.google.com and open the Classroom you use with your students.

2. Near the top right-hand corner of the screen, click the little cog-shaped icon.














3. Click the drop-down menu that says, 'Students can post and comment'.

4. Select, 'Only teachers can post or comment'.

5. That's it!