For 2016-2017 at least four schools (LCHS, REMJHS, JPTIS,
and JCLES) will have Apps for Education accounts which allow them to use Classroom.
So every student has a G-mail account...how does that work? Student id’s are
related to their login in a private domain for their school. That domain is
needed to be a Google Apps for Education school...the only users of Classroom.
All student information can be restricted to that domain...even parents
without accounts can’t view things unless they are shared in some other way,
like a Google Group.
Google Drive provides storage for all student work. When using Classroom folders are even set up automatically for your classes and for your student work. Work can be done on any of Google’s applications: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, and My Maps. Not only these, but photos, PDFs and videos can be stored in Drive., and other formats (Office) can be viewed and edited. Students can use Android, iOs, or Windows devices to participate. My Maps and Sites can also be used as alternative ways to make presentations.
But the best part is what it does for teacher workflow. Teachers can make self
grading quizzes in Forms or using Quizizz (like Kahoot) for homework
assignments (the way to individualize the “quiz.”) There are add-ons with funny
names that will grade and store results and help you analyze results in Sheets.
They can pass out, take up, and give back work without having to file it
themselves. They can view work during the process, make suggestions, and return
for revision all within the framework provided for FREE.
Parent communication can be digital with G-mail, embedded Calendar(s), and Groups used for discussion. Translator will help you with non-native parents. It translates sending or receiving. Collegial meetings can be scheduled in Calendar with shared calendars for finding times to suit all. Hang-Outs when allowed can be used for meetings, guest speakers, office hours,/homework help, announcements, and even virtual field trips (adding pictures). Groups lets you send one email to a large number of people and can be set for forum, Q & A, or list. Forms can pull in email information if they participate. You can share by making a copy for each student, by making that choice your days of waiting for a copier are over.
Even without Classroom many of the collaborative features can be used...and one example mentioned using Drawings with first graders as an interactive tool.
Much of this information came from the Certification course I took which is free to teachers wishing to be Google Educators. It can be found at the Google for Education Training Center. The training is online and free for the first two certifications: Level 1 and Level 2. The exams are scheduled at the teacher’s request through a third party online assessor. The Level 1 exam is $10 and Level 2 is $25. You can retake the exams
Google Drive provides storage for all student work. When using Classroom folders are even set up automatically for your classes and for your student work. Work can be done on any of Google’s applications: Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drawings, and My Maps. Not only these, but photos, PDFs and videos can be stored in Drive., and other formats (Office) can be viewed and edited. Students can use Android, iOs, or Windows devices to participate. My Maps and Sites can also be used as alternative ways to make presentations.
Parent communication can be digital with G-mail, embedded Calendar(s), and Groups used for discussion. Translator will help you with non-native parents. It translates sending or receiving. Collegial meetings can be scheduled in Calendar with shared calendars for finding times to suit all. Hang-Outs when allowed can be used for meetings, guest speakers, office hours,/homework help, announcements, and even virtual field trips (adding pictures). Groups lets you send one email to a large number of people and can be set for forum, Q & A, or list. Forms can pull in email information if they participate. You can share by making a copy for each student, by making that choice your days of waiting for a copier are over.
Even without Classroom many of the collaborative features can be used...and one example mentioned using Drawings with first graders as an interactive tool.
Much of this information came from the Certification course I took which is free to teachers wishing to be Google Educators. It can be found at the Google for Education Training Center. The training is online and free for the first two certifications: Level 1 and Level 2. The exams are scheduled at the teacher’s request through a third party online assessor. The Level 1 exam is $10 and Level 2 is $25. You can retake the exams
after a set period, but must pay again. The exams require a webcam to see
you sitting there and took me nearly the full time to complete. They are task
oriented. There are Trainer and Innovator certifications also.
