Caption:
This document is a reflection on the information from the 1st module of the course Google Classroom Made Easy! It is evidence because it explains what I see as some of the benefits that teachers and students get from using Google Classroom. This is evidence of what I find to be benefits and most helpful from Google Classroom such as the comments tool and the assistance in staying organized. At the end of this reflection I wrote a few things I learned from an article that I read from this first module.
Module 1 Reflection:
Some of the benefits of Google Classroom for teachers is that it allows them to provide feedback on an assignment while students are working on it. Teachers can also type feedback after an assignment has been completed. Another benefit of Google Classroom is that it makes it easier for the students and teachers to stay organized. Due dates are listed both on the streaming feed and on the calendar link. They can also get push notifications on their phones on when assignments are due if they have the app downloaded. Another benefit is avoiding the copy machine and creating paper waste because all of the assignments can be uploaded to the Classroom.
You can put a lot of things on Classroom including assignments, tests/quizzes, questions/discussions, images, videos, photos, links, and even another teacher so you can collaborate with them and work with them on the same page.
I think some students would benefit more from Google Classroom because students won't lose or damage their homework. And if they accidentally delete it they can always check their Drive for a backup. It also provides for more collaboration and communication among the students and between the teacher and the students. This allows them to ask more questions that they might be too afraid to ask in class.
What I find most helpful from Google Classroom is being able to comment and start a feedback loop directly on assignments and papers. This open communication allows for more accuracy on assignments and gives the students direct instruction on what they need to fix. The time this saves from having to do it on paper with pen or pencil is amazing. It is also helpful to have one place where all the assignments are, and to have the ability to reuse a post the following year. Before Google Classroom I would have to go into the filing cabinet to locate the assignment, walk to the library to the copy machine, make copies, and hand them out. This is a huge time-saver.
At the end of this module I read an article titled, Google Classroom: Exploring the Benefits for Teachers. It was written by Meghan Bogardus Cortez, and she writes for EdTech. The article took a look at the positive things Google Classroom has to offer such as streamlining classroom activities, organizing paperwork, and easing collaboration and communication. I agree with a lot of what the article says and I can't wait to utilize even more once the next school year begins.