50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom

Introduction

A few short decades ago, the idea of every student having access to a computer in the classroom seemed like a science-fiction fantasy. How times and technology have changed! Thousands of schools today provide every student with a digital device (computer, laptop, tablet, etc.). As more schools move toward this one-to-one environment, teachers must respond to and lead the cultural and technological shift that’s occurring in the classroom. Unlike the students of this digital generation, however, relatively few of today’s teachers grew up with computers in their schooling. It’s no wonder that one of the questions we hear most frequently from teachers is: “How can I effectively implement digital tools in my classroom when I don’t fully understand them myself?”

Handing students a device can seem scary. But, as educators, we have to continually reexamine, reflect on, and adapt our teaching practices to suit our students’ needs. Adding technology to our classrooms isn’t optional; it’s a must if we’re to equip our students for their futures. We know this. And yet, we also know it’s challenging because moving to a digital platform is more involved than simply shifting what you are currently doing into a digital form.

One resource we’ve found to be extremely useful for teachers and their students is Google Apps for Education (GAfE). In fact, millions of students have been introduced to digital tools through GAfE. Designed for true collaboration, GAfE allows for authentic and shared group work. For example, with Google Docs, an app in GAfE, students and teachers are able to work together on the same document at the same time. The cloud-based nature of Google Docs makes it easy for students to share and publish their work with an authentic audience, which brings more meaning than working solely for their teacher. In short, Google Docs creates a better, more engaging learning environment by empowering students to easily produce content and receive peer, teacher, and community feedback faster than ever.

While Google Docs and Apps allowed for new things to happen in the classroom, they were not designed expressly for the teacher and students. These digital tools helped, but left teachers with the need to create sometimes elaborate systems to fit them into the flow of their classrooms. Google Classroom was designed to simplify the use of Google Docs and Apps by teachers and students. Google Classroom was officially included in the Google Apps for Education suite in August 2014. Its popularity exploded as it fulfilled a real need for teachers, students, and classrooms. An online interface for distributing and collecting digital work, Google Classroom makes it easy for teachers to facilitate a digital or blended learning classroom. Designed from the ground up with teacher input, the platform allows teachers to connect with students, share innovative and technologically rich resources, and build creative projects and instructional elements into their daily lessons. Google Classroom streamlines the process for getting students on the same page, communicating with others, and sharing ideas through collaborative projects.

As with any new tool, the question is: What can I do with it? Shortly after Google Classroom came out, Alice Keeler posted a blog post on “20 things You Can Do With Google Classroom” in answer to that question. The post’s popularity led us to expand on the ideas and ultimately write 50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom. In this book, you’ll find practical ideas for using Google Classroom, along with detailed instructions and screenshots to guide you in the learning process. We’re excited to show you how to use this powerful resource in your classroom. Let’s get started with an overview of Google Classroom.