Back to school with Google Classroom

Google Classroom got many new updates over the summer! While I'm still waiting for the ability to move items around on the About page, add sub groups, change ownership of items (so teacher retains ownership of tests, etc. after returning) and permanently pin items to the top of the stream page, I am even more excited about Google Classroom.

Over the summer, Google added the ability to:

• See Guardian summaries
• Add topics to the Stream (for better organization)
• Annotations on mobile devices (would love for this to be on Desktops/Chromebooks!)
• And several other smaller features

Check out Getting Automated with Google Classroom for all that you can be with Google Classroom. And, consult fennovation.org for all things Google.

Google Classroom - my favorite uses!

It's almost time for summer break and what better time to explore some uses of Google Classroom than now?! Once school starts, the year often gets too busy to check out and integrate new uses, so why not start now?

Today, I gave my Classroom presentation a major face-lift. I also added a few updates including:

• Wizer.me - I discovered this during #txgoo this past weekend. This site allows you to create and browse interactive classroom resources that share nicely on Google Classroom.
• Schedule posts - if you haven't heard, you can now do this on Google Classroom
• Guardian access - coming this fall
• Polls - in addition to the Q&A feature on Google Slides, you can get immediate feedback on Google Classroom. Hip, hip, hooray!
• Google Calendar - you get a Calendar for every class. You can share these calendars for anyone with the link to see and put them on your Website. This gives others access to view assignment due dates. 

Check out fennovation.org for more Googleness and check out Getting Automated with Google Classroom for 50 slides worth of ideas!

Happy Monday!

Google Classroom: The short of it

While I'm a fan of the long lists of uses of Classroom (I frequently consult them and have a few of my own), it's nice to a short version, too - for easy access.

In case you missed December's post on Google Classroom updates, you should check it out. Now, you can export grades directly to Google Sheets. And, with the new explore feature in Google Sheets, that means you can get graphical representations of that data quickly. And, my favorite - you can use your keyboard to move from one grade entry to the next. I despise using my mouse so, anytime I can use the keyboard, the better!

Check out Google Classroom: Year Two for my favorite uses of Google Classroom and then, some.

And, go to fennovation.org for all things Google!

The best of #google #classroom

A year and a half into Google Classroom, it is becoming the go-to tool in the classroom. What started out as a very basic product, is still simple in design, but more complex in it's abilities.

To help keep track of the innovative things you can do with Google Classroom as well as the updates, I've organized some of my favorites into one presentation: Google Classroom: A Year Later. Check out more Google goodness at fennovation.org.

Today's updates include two from +Alice Keeler :

• Small Group Maker for Classroom Assignments
• Show Me All the Docs script to show all files in a Classroom folder in one place! 

Enjoy!

Using Google Classroom 1 year later

Last year, a fellow Round Rock ISD teacher, +Jennifer Rubin and I prepared a presentation on using Google Classroom (reflections after a year) at ISTE. Since then, I have added additional observations to the presentation. Though not a how-to-use Google Classroom presentation, it is full of ideas and uses you may or may not have thought of.

Updates include:

• Google Calendar integration
• Google Forms integration
• Split Screen - Alice Keeler
• Make a copy of a question - Michael Fricano II
• Awesome Tables integration

Check out more Googleness on fennovation.org.

The best of Google Classroom

Google Classroom has grown a lot since it was born just over a year ago. In fact, in the past two weeks, it has endured some major updates. What does that mean for you?

• Alice Keeler's Discussion Board spreadsheet
• Best practices Google Drive folder
• Organize Google Classroom Home screen
• Use RosterSync to import roster from BlackBaud
• Essential Tips from Educational Technology (Michael Fricano II)
•  Ways to use newest Classroom features (Ditch that Textbook)

I've compiled some of my favorite resources as well as best updates into one presentation. Credits to Jennifer Rubin for helping with some of the classroom integration. Check it out! And, check out fennovation.org for more resources.

Enjoy!

Google Classroom - Month 3

Three months ago, my teachers took the plunge into Google Classroom and have not looked back since. There are now teachers who were not using Google Apps who now using it as a result of Google Classroom. I still have several teachers on the line on whether or not to use it and plenty not using it.

Though I don't think all teachers need to use it, I think it fulfills several basic functions like digital dropboxes that can't be overlooked. It also allows teachers and students to be mobile and to be non-device specific. With new devices entering the classrooms and businesses frequently, it's crucial to be able to operate no matter the platform.

So, I'm composed a list of frequently asked questions for why you should use Google Classroom and how you can make the migration simple. These ideas are not new. However, I've kept them concise so as not to overwhelm teachers.

Lastly, I've found that creating a Google Classroom for staff is a miracle in the making. One drawback for my teachers was that they did not know what it looked like from a student's perspective. So, why not create a faculty Google Classroom? Have teachers join as teachers (important) and then, post assignments for them. Allow them to add comments and turn in work. This is a huge eye-opener for staff!

View the complete Google Classroom Tips & Tricks below and here.

To make your classroom migration smoother

1. STUDENT COMMENTS

Choose to either turn this feature off or educate users on this feature.

Option 1: Educate students - remind them that their name is displayed next to their post and can be

easily printed for administrative action.

Option 2: Set students to read-only viewing - With this component, students

cannot post. They can only view the teacher’s posts.

2. GOOGLE DRIVE FOR DESKTOP

Install this or have your ITS install this for you. Since Google Classroom creates accompanying

Google Drive folders, this allows teachers and students to access their classroom files from their

desktop - perfect for when the Internet goes out.

3. DIGITAL DROPBOX

If you use Google Classroom for no other reason than for a digital dropbox, you are still making

waves. No more worries about how to share documents and folders; Classroom does it all for you.

Assign ANY type of file for your students (even Photoshop) and allow them to upload it to classroom. Access it online or on your desktop (for those who downloaded Google Drive for Desktop).

4. DON’T FORGET THE ABOUT SECTION

Since you cannot pin a post to the top of your stream, why not use the About section to put in links to

documents/files that students will need throughout the semester or year. By placing links in this

section, students no longer have to scroll for information.

5. LEAVE YOUR DRIVE ALONE

The temptation is strong for some of us, but leave those Google Classroom folders alone in your

Google Drive. This is the advantage to Google Classroom - you don’t have to manage those Google Drive folders and sharing anymore. So, let Google Classroom take care of it for you. Think of of this as just a storage space. The real work happens in Google Classroom.

6. Stay tuned for more!