6 Things You Should Know About Google Classroom

One of the most commonly preferred platforms for online education is Google Classroom. Regarded as one of the most user-friendly platforms out there, Google Classroom has attempted to streamline online education delivery through the introduction of multiple easy-to-use and highly efficient features. Education systems across the globe are grappling with the increased demands for workable, understandable, and productive online alternatives. For many of them, Google Classroom has become a popular option.

So, what is it about Google Classroom one should know?

Of course, there are plentiful features to consider, but let us stick to a few of them. Today, I am going to walk you through 6 things about Google Classroom you should know. Whether you are a teacher or a student, these features will assist in comprehending the platform better.

1. Create Assignments
   You will now have to manage assignment submissions online. All data should go online. Google Classroom allows you to create a range of assignments with the help of PDFs, Google Forms, or Videos. The general setting is that an assignment is allotted to the entire class, but you can change the same and allot assignments to specific students only. Moreover, the scheduling of assignments is simple. Every assignment that comes in gets recorded, which means you do not really have to keep track because it is already been done for you.
2. Recording Sessions
   You do not have to worry about keeping compiled notes of your lectures when all that you speak can be recorded. Google Classroom allows the recording of live sessions for a duration not exceeding 8 hours. Moreover, once the session has been recorded and processed, you can download the same and share it anywhere you like. This feature helps you as well as students to always have a permanent copy of your lectures to which they can listen anytime they want.
3. Integration with various apps
   Google Classroom is not a standalone platform and works in conjunction with many applications. User-friendly, student-oriented applications have been integrated into its interface and can be conveniently used to make classes more engaging. Some of these applications include Pear Deck, which allows the making of presentations; the American Museum of Natural History, which allows students to have access to resources from the database of the said museum; and BookWidgets, which is useful for creating a variety of exercises. There are many more, and you must explore to find out which of them suits your needs best.
4. Track the progress of students
   As I said, you really do not have to actively track students—Google Classroom does it for you. All you need to do is click on the ‘Students’ tab available on the main view and you will be able to see the list of your students. Choose whichever student whose progress you want to track and get well-organized information. From the status of the assignments submitted and/or pending to grades, everything is available. Well, who said, online learning platforms are boring? They could be a real time-saver if you’d ask me.
5. Add guest speakers beyond the organization
   There may be times when you would want to invite a distinguished speaker on a particular topic. If he is from outside the organization you are employed at, you might think that he may not be able to join the classroom. Well, don’t think that way because you can add anyone from beyond the organization to your classroom. There are, however, certain requirements that must be met: the guest must have a Gmail account and access to G Suite for Education. If these two requirements are met, all you are needed to do is to create a Google Meet link and share it with the guest.
6. Archival posts
   This is, especially, helpful to those teachers who have reuse posts and lectures from the past. Google Classroom allows you the option to archive your projects or courses. All you need to do is to choose the “Reuse post” option, which will allow teachers to use any post, from the present or the past, whenever you want. So, now you do not really have to worry about losing a lesson plan and can conveniently use it whenever the need arises.