Allow and moderate comments

I generally allow for comments to be turned on my classroom. Many times, students just want to be silly, or comment on things that are happening in school at the time (such as "Vote for Me for Student Council" etc.). I do read all comments and delete any comments that are too far off base for what is needed in our Google Classroom, and then speak with that student about their comments. Usually, their comments are harmless, and it's a fun and safe way to practice communicating with peers online!

It might be helpful to allow students to post or comment to help further certain class discussions. especially when there are students that are remote. Students could post pictures of their art work and then offer constructive criticism to one another. With being able to moderate those comments, things that are inappropriate can be deleted.

Allowing student comments would be useful when trying to generate class discussion online. It would allow each student to voice their opinion without having to navigate other apps or speak on Google Meet. 

Additionally, allowing students to comment would also allow them to ask questions about certain assignments that might be useful to the whole class. Similar to a student raising their hand and asking a question about a project when you're first introducing it to the class. 

In general I like having the comments on so students can see that they are not the only one with a particular question.  I also like that they can help each other out if they get to it before me.  It helps that I don't have to answer the same question 40 times as well!  I think the only time I would want to turn it off is if I had a rogue student that was obnoxious in his/her comments.  

I have disabled the comment feature, some of my students were not using it correctly. While we are in school, I had a BRAG BOARD feature in our classroom, where students could post work that they were proud of!

Allowing students to post comments can be beneficial in the Science classroom when promoting a discussion on ethical dilemmas such as medical care or the impact of humans on the environment. Commentary would have to be closely monitored to make sure it was appropriate.

Allowing comments on posts is a great way for students to be heard and can be a useful tool in creating class discussions. It is also a way for students to receive participation/voices to be heard if they are in a class with loud personalities or are uncomfortable speaking/ voicing their opinions in front of the class. Comments do need to be monitored by the teacher for appropriateness. 

I enter comments on student writing to make suggestions. My students enter comments as a means to ask questions about and self-evaluate their writing. Students also comment as a means to communicate and analyze with peers.

See above.

This is a great way for students to post their assignments for peer review. In my lab assignments, students regularly work with partners or small groups. Posting their data and/or conclusions to their partners is a convenient method of sharing data and pointing out any mistakes or changes that need to be made. I also find that students can point out ambiguous or unclear descriptions or analysis. As always, students need to be monitored whenever they post and comment. One reason is to actually see that they are doing the right things or reaching appropriate conclusions. The other is to make sure that they aren't writing anything that is inappropriate.

By providing the students the opportunity to comment/post, you are giving them an opportunity to be heard and to feel as if they are successfully and meaningfully contributing to class discussions (whether this occurs in or out of class). It can be used to spark meaningful discussion, continue a topic from the daily lesson, or wrap-up a lesson when a teacher feels he may not have heard from every student. It can be a very humbling way of showing the students that their opinion and voice matters.