Post date: Jun 16, 2015 6:41:35 PM
Chris's School Blog post with an in depth review about it is here. https://wickhighschool.wordpress.com/2015/06/11/whs-leads-the-way-in-google-classoom/
Chris talked to me about incredible parental feedback, student motivation for independent learning and has also found that using Google Classroom has -
Increased the on-time homework return level
Given the students much more flexibility and motivation in how and when they completed their work
Enabled the teacher to give instant feedback and be available 24/7 (within reason!)
Allowed students to collaborate on work and discuss together, even if they weren’t in the same room
Google Classroom is going to be used for Distance Learning in Highland, further resources on Google Classroom on our page and Training here.
(Image left) Stephen has created these posters for his class to remind students to use their accounts and download the apps to personal devices. They can use it in school too on the current managed devices.
A number of schools are beginning to grow their usage of Google Classroom, two Highland Schools in particular are leading the way, Wick High School and Lochaber High School. Computing Science Teachers Christ Aitken and Stephen Stewart are using it with their students with great success. Geographically you couldn't really get two schools much further apart in the same authority, there is a lot of collegiate support between the two teachers and willingness to share their work further afield.
Google Classroom has been mentioned before on this website, this app is now pinned to the launch shelf on the Chromebooks of the pilot schools. Stephen and Chris had both begun to explore this before we started the Chrome pilot, but now are using domains within the Highland GAFE, this really helps to share use of it with support to all Highland schools who can request accounts. Kinlochleven High and Mallaig High are also now using it, their students live many miles from school, so these tools can really help rural schools in times of travel problems too. Furthermore, it supports anywhere, anytime learning - a key driver of our ICT in Learning Strategic Action Plan. More about Google Classroom here on our page.