Google Classroom

How to sync your Homefield Google account and use Google Classroom at home on your device. The following guide is focused on using Google Classroom from a Google Chrome Browser on a laptop or desktop device. If you are using the Google Classroom App, some screen shots and signing into the chrome browser (section 5) will not be relevant. If you are unsure what device you will need, visit the previous section on the tabs above - 'What will I need?'

5. Signing into the Google Chrome Browser

To begin, you will want to be using Google's Chrome internet browser if you are using a desktop or laptop device. At home you can freely download it and install it as shown in the 'What will I need? section. With Google Chrome browser installed it is best to 'sign in and sync' your Homefield Primary School account so that all your Google Apps, bookmarks and history are saved and carried across to all your devices. To do this select the 'person icon' in the top right corner of your Chrome browser and sign in with your Homefield Primary account email address (@homefieldprimary.co.uk). When prompted, select to 'turn the sync on' and 'link data'

For this guide we will be using our example student user called 'J' as shown.

Unable to login? Are you still logged in with any existing @gmail.com account?

When at home many pupils and parents use a personal '@gmail.com' Google email account. Many users do not realise that they will need to sign out of that account and remove it from the Google Chrome Browser in order to best use the school account and be able to run through Step 5 above. To do this, select the user account as shown in the picture in Step 5. This is in the top right corner next to the close windows cross. Now select the 'settings cog' next to the 'other people' text. A box will now appear showing the current user, if signed in. Firstly, move your mouse over the users avatar/profile picture. Three dots will then appear in the top right corner. Selecting these will prompt you to 'remove this person'. Select this to remove the personal account (or another account) from the browser. You can now sign in with your school account.

6. Opening the Google Classroom App

You should now be logged in and fully syncing with your Google Chrome browser. To open Google Classroom select the Classroom app from the 9 dots icon next to your Google profile. Scroll down and look for the icon shown. Alternatively, you can visit classroom.google.com URL in a new browser tab. In this image, you can see pupil user 'J' is signed into Google Chrome and from the App list Google Classroom is showing in the list of Apps available. Other Google Apps will automatically be showing on desktop and laptop device Chrome Browsers, such as Google Docs, Slides, Sheets and more. At Homefield Primary not all Google Apps are available and are managed by the Google Administrator.

7. Your Google Classroom

Once you have selected the “classroom” icon you will be able to view the classroom you are enrolled in. Shown in the image is the Year 5 Google Classrooms that 'J' is a member of. Our sample pupil 'J' has already accepted the invite for the classroom, however before accepting, a blue 'join' button at the bottom of the class would have been displayed.Select the Classroom to see the fellow pupils and your class assignments and tasks.

8. The Classroom 'Stream'

In every classroom you will be taken to the “stream” of that page. It can get a bit confusing as it is not in date order; however, to the top left hand side of the screen any upcoming assignments are visual so it is always advisable to check this page first before clicking on the “classwork” tab at the top of the page. This page is much like a headlines section.

9. Explaining the 'Classwork' Tab

The “classwork” tab will show you all of the work and its relevant materials, dates for completion and subjects such as English and Mathematics.
It clearly shows the work assigned, materials supplied and the comments from the teacher in relation to the tasks.
Selecting each 'classwork' will allow you to view the work and be ready to complete the work in the allocated time scale.

10. Materials

Work may be set as a “material.” This means that all learners within the class will have access to view the material via the classroom but will be unable to download and edit it. Some materials may include links to useful websites. In the image shown, the materials are the two HW week 5 Spelling Word files. These are also shown in the image. All of the class can view these.

11. Assignments

Our work will more than likely be set as an “assignment” as these enable your teachers to set due dates for tasks. Some assignments may have attachments, much like the materials, however in an assignment, learners may be able to download attachments or copies of the task that have been made for each learner by the teacher. If you have been given an individual copy of the assignment it will appear in the top right hand corner once you have opened the assignment. You will then be able to click on the task and add your work to it; do not forget to click submit once you have completed your work. The example shown has no work assigned in the 'Your work' area. Assignments set from a teacher would appear here if allocated. As no work has be assigned, you can create your own as explained below.

12. Creating a new item in a Google App...

Sometimes you may be unable to edit your copy - either the teacher has not made a separate copy for you, or your electronic device may not have the correct software to edit PDF for example. In this instance, you can add and create either a Google Document, Slide, Sheet or drawing which you can then add your work to. There is no need to download this and send to your teacher, you can simply edit the document and then click submit to hand in your work.

13. Handing in your work

Once you have completed your work, do not forget to hand it in. Click on the “hand in” button, another window will open so if you have clicked on this by mistake you still have time to edit. All submitted work will be saved through Google Classrooms. If at any time you want to edit a submitted assignment, you are able to click “unsubmit” which will allow you to add/change anything previously submitted.

We hope this guide has helped you utilise Google Classroom and has given you a better understanding in using your Homefield Primary School Google Account at home on your own personal device.

Click to return to the Homefield CE Primary School website

Need more help?

If you are having any difficulties with any of the steps above, need to reset your password or would simply like to ask further questions, please contact the class teachers via email, telephone our main school office on (01493) 661691 or email office@homefield.norfolk.sch.uk

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