What is Google Classroom? Google Classroom is a class-organization platform that incorporates Google's core G Suite (Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive, and other Google application) so students can access everything they need for a class, assignments, group projects, files, and Google Hangouts Meet with the teacher or the entire class. Why we use Google Classroom? ● Google Classroom allows for assignments to be shared with individuals, groups of students, or whole classes to allow for personalization and differentiation within the one classroom page. ● Families will only have ONE platform to locate assignments for all their K-12 students. Families have indicated that the number of emails for their students and families have been overwhelming. In some cases, students are receiving multiple emails from multiple educators in different places. ● Students can “turn in” assignments virtually, and teachers can provide feedback to their students individually. ● Google Classroom protects student privacy because it is linked to Melrose Public Schools accounts. Platforms must be COPPA and PPRA compliant by federal law. ● Google Classroom can be easily translated for students and families. (You can either use the Google Translate extension or just alt-click on the actual page to choose the language-there are dozens!) What about students in grades K-2? ● All students including those in grades K-2 have successfully learned to navigate the use of Google Classroom this year in their Digital Literacy classrooms. Students have shown proficiency in opening the platform and navigating multiple assignments. As we progress, we will adjust and support students and families to navigate the platform. ● Parents may have to help students with some of the directions. However, over time, most students will fall into a routine. ● There are ways to organize for non-readers by numbering topics and individual assignments. ● Google Classroom allows teachers to link familiar platforms like Padlet, Flipgrid, and Get Epic. How does Google Classroom work? ● Teachers post assignments for students to complete and turn in, give feedback on the assignment, and return it to the student. ● Classroom discussions and polls are possible with Google Classroom. ● See quick reference guide for students. How do families access Google Classroom? Here are some resources for families to understand how to use Google Classroom. ● Google Drawing to be shared with families ● Screencast to be shared with families ● Also See Google Classroom SMORE Do teachers use Google Classroom to teach live? No. However, teachers may use Google Hangouts Meet to meet with students remotely. An invite to students may be posted on Google Classroom to join the session. How do you set up Google Classroom? Your student will get an invite from their teacher with a link or a code they use to join a class. They'll be directed to classroom.google.com, where they log in (using either their school-created account) to access the class (or classes) their teacher has added them to. Each class is private to the people the teacher has personally invited, including the students enrolled in that class and other teachers. Once your student has joined a class, they can use all the features the teacher has enabled for that class, including class schedules, assignments, announcements, and even teacher "office hours." Video directions to join a class from home. Can you use Google Classroom at home? Students can access Google Classroom from anywhere, including from their phones, when they download the Google Classroom app. Can I communicate with my child's teacher through Google Classroom? Your child's teacher may use Google Classroom for communication. In this case, they will send you an invitation, and after accepting, you will receive updates directly from them, which may include information on upcoming or missing work and announcements. Can Google Classroom be used for chatting? Yes. Students can interact with other students and even teachers by text and video using Google Hangouts Meet. Students are expected to behave according to the rules outlined in their school’s code of conduct and according to the district’s technology policies. Can I check my child's progress on Google Classroom? No. Teachers may provide feedback including comments on student’s work using Google Classroom. However, only the student can see these comments. Ask your child about the feedback they are receiving from their teachers. How does my student find out about new stuff posted in Google Classroom? Your child should be in the habit of checking their Google Classroom on a daily basis to check on their assignments. In grades 6-12 only, your child will receive an email when the teacher posts an announcement. These emails come through your child’s school email account, not in Classroom. Classroom doesn't alert you when an assignment is due; to keep track of deadlines, kids need to check the class calendar. In grades K-5, students do not have emails. They must be in the habit of checking daily their Google Classroom for their assignments. Is my student supposed to be chatting with his classmates via Google Classroom? Maybe. Teachers may assign collaborative projects, such as a group research paper in Google Docs or a group dialogue, where students comment on each other's work. Students are expected to use the tools responsibly using the school’s code of conduct and the district’s technology policy. If my student is using Google Classroom, how can I make sure my child is on task? Monitor your student with your own eyes and ears. There are no other ways via the Google Classroom to check on assignments. Discuss with your child their assignments. Check in with them frequently through each day. .