Type of technology: Web-based Platform
SAMR Model Rating: Modification
Grade level: All
Subject area: Any
I first heard about Google Classroom (GC) last year, somewhere on Twitter – I think. It piqued my interest but I didn’t know when I’d have time to really dive in and learn the details. I wondered if it offered more than NEO, and if so, how did those features fit into my teaching. I’d learned that it offered a blended environment and the ability to assign (directly from my Drive) and collect student work. I created a class for my 6th period and then left it alone. This year, our tech coach suggested I take a closer look, giving me the nudge I needed.
I decided I would create a basic assignment using Docs that would allow students to get a feel for the new platform. The day I introduced the platform and assignment was mostly painless. I linked GC along with the Classroom Code to NEO. Students were able to log in quickly using their Drive account. They were able to finish the assignment in two days – one day more than I had anticipated. (Just like most new activities, I’ve learned to pad a new tech-based assignment a bit to allow for sufficient exploration and work-time.)After seeing the ease with which I could grade and give feedback to each student, I was hooked.
The next assignment included a Doc of questions and a map using Drawings that were based on three documents students had analyzed the day before. The kids knew the drill already and were able to log in and Turn In the assignment when they had finished. I was then able to grade and comment on each assignment, returning it if more info was needed or assigning a grade if complete.
More education websites are partnering with GC to make time spent on devices more efficient. Instead of creating a separate login for each student in the next two assignments, using EDPuzzle and NewsELA, my students used their Drive login for easy access.
Here’s what I really like about using Google Classroom so far:
- I can differentiate one assignment for different learning abilities.
- Students log in and see immediately what they need to complete before re-submitting their assignment.
- I can personalize my communication with each student.
- Assignments are kept in one place or platform.
NEO vs. GC
|Learning Management System (LMS)||Not a LMS|
-link Docs and Drawings (students will need to create their own copy for each new application)
-link EDPuzzle and NewsELA (students will need to log in to each site vs. instant access through GC)
-differentiate, or personalize, assignments
-create a copy for each student or one viewable copy (you specify in assignment settings)
-create an assignment or announcement around a site partner (EDPuzzle and NewsELA, for example)
*Students can log in once to access education site partners (like EDPuzzle and NewsELA) *Be sure to check SOPIPA on partner sites prior to using with students*
-differentiate, or personalize assignments
|Parents can view grades and assignments that have been posted (parents have to visit site and login to access this)||Parents can view assignments and due dates through automatic weekly summaries|
|Parents can communicate with teachers||Parents can communicate with teachers|
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting GC as a replacement for hand-written work (I maintain a deep devotion to the interactive notebook in my classroom), or for NEO, for that matter. Neither platform has yet been perfected. That said, I’m often looking to shake things up – and technology is a good place to fulfill that urge. I love that I’m able to communicate directly with each student about THEIR work and that I can keep that work all in one place. I’m ready and eager to delve into weekly automatic parent notifications. I’ve become a big fan of GC and look forward to exploring more of its many capabilities with the hope of expanding the blended learning environment in my classroom.