Google Classroom

How to sync your ODA Google account and use Google Classroom at home on your device. The below 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 then this is fine but 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 - 'What will I need?'

5. Signing into the Google Chrome Browser

So let's begin. Firstly you will want to be using Google's Chrome internet browser if you are using a desktop or laptop device. This is available at the academy as the default browser on our Windows 10 PCs and it is built in to all Chromebooks. 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 academy 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 Google Ormiston Denes account email address (@ormistondenes.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 students and parents use a personal '@gmail.com' Google email account. Many users don't 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 academy 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 academy account.

6. Open 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 student 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.

7. Your Google Classrooms

Once you have selected the “classroom” icon you will be able to view all the subjects you are enrolled in (you should have one for every topic on your timetable). Shown in the image is a selection of Google Classrooms that 'J' is a member of. Classes that our sample student 'J' has been invited to but not yet accepted will show a blue 'join' button at the bottom of the class. This is shown with the two classes on the left side of the classroom list.(Don’t worry if you’ve not accepted the email invitation, you can still accept invitations by selecting the blue ‘join’ button. )

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’s not in date order; however, to the top left hand side of the screen any upcoming assignments are visual so it’s always good to check this page first before clicking on the “classwork” tab at the top of the page.

9. Explaining the 'Classwork' Tab

The “classwork” tab will include the following for every subject: a course outline/copy of the scheme of learning to ensure you know upcoming topics, access to delivered lessons (PowerPoint presentations and/or recorded lessons) and homework information. Depending on the subjects each page may be set out slightly differently so be sure to ask your subject teacher if you can’t locate these three areas.

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.

11. Assignments

Your work is more than likely to be set as an “assignment” as these enable your teachers to set due dates for tasks, not only for homework assignments but for those who are learning remotely. 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, don’t forget to click submit once you have completed your work.

Create a new item in a Google App ...

Sometimes you may be unable to edit your copy - either the teacher hasn’t 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’s 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.

12. Hand in your work

Once you have completed your work don’t forget to hand it in. Click on the “hand in” button, another window will open so if you’ve 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.

13. Google Forms

Some tasks may be set as a Google Form. Just click on the attached form and complete the questions included. At the bottom of each form you need to complete ‘submit’ and this will automatically hand in the assignment. If you’re unsure if you’ve completed it, just click on the attachment again and it will inform you. If you wish to retake the form, let your subject teacher know and they can delete your first attempt so you can retake the task again.

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

Need more help?

Stuck using Google? Need to reset your password? Still feel lost and would like to ask some questions? Contact 01502 574474 or Email: info@ormistondenes.co.uk

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