Switching back to Google Meet can be overwhelming. We wanted to make it as easy as possible for everyone. That's why we created a quick comparison PDF to show how Zoom features transfer (or don't) to Google Meet.
Creating Links & Posting Them
Creating Elementary Links
This video will go over the following pieces of information:
Setting up your Google Meet link
Posting your link in Google Classroom & in Seesaw
Starting your Meet
Ending your Meet to ensure students can't stay in
Building Codes are Listed Below
Alburtis: alb
Shoemaker: shoe
Jefferson: jeff
Wescosville: wes
Lincoln: linc
Willow Lane: will
Macungie: mac
Your Link is meet.google.com/lookup/Your Building Code + Your EPSD username
For example, if I taught at Willow Lane, my Google Meet link would be meet.google.com/lookup/willdpeters
Need a quick printable step by step guide? Check it out!
Google Meet Features
Screen Sharing/Changing Privacy Setting
If you are trying to share your screen for the first time on your new Macbook, it may not allow you to do so and prompt you to change your privacy settings.
By going into "Security & Privacy" in your System Preferences, you can check off the box next to Google Chrome to allow screen sharing.
Remember, this option may only show the first time you are actually in a Meet session and you go to present your screen.
*Make sure you are using Chrome, not Safari*
Adding a Co-Host
When you are in a Google Meet call, you can add a co-host by:
Click on the participants window icon
Locate the person you want to make a co-host
Click on the 3 dots (ellipse) next to their name
Select "Grant Host Controls"
Quick Access
By default, the district has turned OFF "Quick Access" which requires users to "Ask to Join". This is Google Meet's version of the "waiting room".
The host must join the Meet first
Only people who were invited by the host can join without asking
Everyone else must "ask to join"
People can't join anonymously
Only hosts can dial out of a meeting
Teachers have the ability to turn Quick Access On during the meeting to turn off the waiting room.
Using Whiteboard/Jamboard
Google Meet has Jamboard integrated right into a call. You can access it from both the "Settings" or the "Activities" icon as shown in the GIF
You can start a Jamboard on the fly
You can even setup a Jamboard ahead of time and open it right from Google Drive
Host Management Controls
Host management gives you the ability to customize the experience for both you and your students:
Share Their Screen: When on (default), all participants can share their screen on that particular Meet. We cannot adjust the default to off.
Send Chat Messages: When on (default), all participants can send chat messages to the entire class. There are no private messages in Meet.
Turn on their Microphone: When on (default), participants can unmute at any time. Toggle to off to lock their microphones on mute.
Turn on their Video: When on (default), participants can turn on/off their video. When off, all video will be turned off. Video being off can be used while students are doing independent work.
Sharing Your iPad Screen
After starting your meeting on your MacBook, you can simply join the same meeting on your iPad using the Google Meet app. Before joining on your iPad, make sure to mute your mic, turn off your video, and turn your volume all the way down.
Then, select the three dots in the bottom right corner and share your screen on your iPad!
Changing Student Layout
Google Meet has several options to view your students and customize the layout
Auto
Tiled
Spotlight
Sidebar
Up to 49 tiles at one time!
You can also select several different backgrounds and blur out the whole background behind you by going to "Change Background" in "Settings"
Remember to End the Call
End the Call will end the call for everyone and remove all the students from the Google Meet. If you just leave the call, students will be able to stick around and chat after the fact. You'll see the message below if you've done it successfully.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Waiting Room in Google Meet?
No, but by toggling Quick Access off, students will have to request to join your Meet which in essence is the same as a Waiting Room.
Can I use a Password for my Google Meet?
No, but it is not necessary. Students must authenticate with Google, so outside visitors are not permitted.
How can I view Attendance for my Google Meet?
The built-in Attendance report is not available to us with our current district Google accounts. However, there are several Chrome extensions that provide attendance reports to you through the Chrome Web Store. Just note, the Office of Technology can't support these extensions as they are outside of the Google Domain. You can use them at your own risk as they may work great, but could also fail. It's best to keep track of attendance in other ways to ensure you don't lose any information.
Can I use Breakout Rooms in Google Meet?
No. Breakout Rooms are not available in the Google Meet version we have.
Can students Private Chat on Google Meet?
No. Every message sent by a student or teacher is sent to the entire class.
Can both students and teachers Share their Screen?
Yes. As long as you have the setting enabled to allow anyone to share their screen, it'll work.