With compliance violations costing companies millions annually, finding an affordable, flexible training platform is more critical than ever. Yet, the search for the perfect solution often feels like a frustrating maze. We may come across some great platforms that offer clear visualization of what our users have done, but they may not cover all the topics we need to meet our training requirements. After all, every company has specific demands based on what they offer. Similarly, we might find platforms that provide many of the topics we need and even allow us to upload custom content to meet specific internal needs, such as an onboarding training. However, when we dig deeper, we often discover that the cost is exorbitantly high, and the other available options suddenly seem incomplete. So, how can small and medium-sized enterprises adapt in a world where the demand for compliance is increasing every day?

Transforming Google Classroom

For HR managers, training coordinators, or small business owners already using Google Workspace, there’s a practical way to transform a familiar tool into a powerful training platform: Google Classroom. This space can be completely renamed and restructured to match your company’s needs. For example:

With Google Classroom, you can centralize and monitor training while tailoring courses to your organization’s specific requirements.

Flexible Content and Seamless Integration

Google Classroom allows us to upload a wide range of content and formats, such as images, videos, and documents, and integrates seamlessly with Google Drive, Meet, Docs, Sheets, and Slides. For example, at bitbug, I created a FERPA training course to ensure our developers handled student data compliantly. I structured it with two Training Sections: the first featured a Department of Education video, embedded via a YouTube link, explaining FERPA in an engaging way; the second included a Google Form as a Knowledge Check, with responses automatically compiled into an Google Spreadsheet. All materials were organized in a dedicated Google Drive folder created by Classroom, and I could track completion and grades in one tab. With a third section planned as a follow-up, this course is still evolving, showing how quickly Classroom can deliver a robust training structure. 

While Classroom may not offer the advanced analytics of dedicated learning management systems, its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and integration with Google Workspace make it ideal for small to medium-sized businesses looking to streamline compliance training without breaking the budget.

Live Sessions and Collaboration

With Google Meet, we can schedule live virtual training sessions directly from Classroom’s Calendar and easily share the recordings as “Material (Resources)” afterward. Something very interesting happens when you create a class: in your Google Drive’s My Drive, all Classroom files are automatically organized. We can leverage Drive’s sharing settings for advanced collaboration or resource access. Additionally, with Google Calendar, all assignments with due dates automatically appear in employees’ calendars, helping them stay organized.

Roles and Communication

Once in Google Classroom, we can invite “Teachers” (in our case, they’ll be considered Admins who help keep the training page updated, assist with grading assignments if applicable, and provide feedback on work). We can also invite “students,” who will receive an email invitation the moment they’re added. On the main page of each created course, we’ll find the “Stream,” which isn’t just for academic announcements, it’s your central communication hub. Every time we post there, students are notified via email. We can use this tool however we need, and students also have the opportunity to comment in this section or on specific assignments.

Building a Knowledge Hub

The possibilities with this tool are vast. In addition to fostering fluid communication with our colleagues/students, we can also generate reports on individual and group progress, providing evidence that the entire company understands what they can or cannot do in accordance with various regulations and standards.

As a result of the combined efforts of both teachers and students in a course, we can ultimately create a dedicated “Company Knowledge Hub.” This would be a non-graded class where employees can find updated policies, best practices, FAQs, and self-help guides. Additionally, as an interesting way to encourage knowledge-sharing and research within our company, we could offer an “Expert Spotlight” class, empowering employees to share their expertise by allowing subject matter experts within the company to create and lead their own training modules on topics they excel at. 

From Training to Transformation

Google Classroom offers small and medium-sized businesses a versatile, cost-effective way to meet compliance demands and foster a culture of continuous learning. From FERPA training to company-wide knowledge hubs, it’s a tool that adapts to your needs. Start small with a single training module, explore what works best for your team, and see how quickly Google Classroom can grow into your company’s knowledge hub.

Next Steps

We are already planning our next class/training. So, why not create a sequence of interesting and highly educational videos? The kind of class that leaves you thinking about much more than just the topic discussed. After all, a class doesn’t necessarily have to cover a single topic; the fun of learning is understanding how to apply what interests you in the places that need it. I’ll leave you with this link to an excellent class. The next training already has a name: World’s Shortest Threat Modeling Course.