Google Classroom is great when your entire school is on Google Workspace. But many schools aren't, and many teachers need a lighter alternative for collecting student work.
When you don't have Google Classroom
Maybe your school uses Microsoft 365 but hasn't set up Teams assignments. Maybe you're a private tutor. Maybe you teach at multiple schools with different systems. Or maybe you just need something simpler for a one-off assignment.
Quick alternatives
File upload link (getfiles.app)
The fastest option. Create a link in 10 seconds, share it, students upload. No ecosystem lock-in.
- Setup time: 10 seconds
- Student effort: Open link, upload file
- Your effort: Download ZIP
- Cost: Free
Email with specific subject line
Ask students to email their work with a specific subject line ("BIO101-HW5") so you can filter them.
- Setup time: None
- Student effort: Compose email, attach file
- Your effort: Search inbox, download each attachment
- Cost: Free (but time-consuming)
Shared Dropbox/OneDrive folder
Create a shared folder where students can drop files.
- Setup time: 2 minutes
- Student effort: Navigate to folder, upload
- Your effort: Open folder, download
- Cost: Free (with storage limits)
- Caveat: Students can see (and potentially delete) each other's files
Physical USB collection
Students bring files on USB drives.
- Setup time: None
- Student effort: Copy file to USB
- Your effort: Plug in 30 USB drives
- Cost: Free but tedious and a security risk
The winner for most situations
A file upload link wins on simplicity for both teacher and student. No accounts, no permissions issues, no storage concerns, and everything in one place.