Google Classroom

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Setting Up and Using Google Classroom: A Comprehensive Guide

Getting Started: Accessing Google Classroom

Before you begin, ensure you have your school-provided Google Account (e.g., you@tps501.org).

Step 1: Go to Google Classroom

Open your web browser and go to classroom.google.com.
Click "Go to Classroom" or "Sign In".
Enter your Google Account email address and click "Next".
Enter your password and click "Next".

Step 2: Choose Your Role (First-time users)

If this is your first time accessing Google Classroom, you will be prompted to choose your role: "I'm a Student" or "I'm a Teacher".
Select the appropriate role.

Setting Up & Managing a Google Classroom

A. Creating a Class

Step 1: Click the "+" Button

On the Google Classroom homepage, look for the "+" icon in the top right corner.
Click it and select "Create class".

Step 2: Enter Class Information

A pop-up window will appear. You must enter a Class name (e.g., "English Literature - Period 1," "Algebra I").
(Optional) Section: Enter a short description, grade level, or class time (e.g., "Period 2," "Grade 9"). This is useful if you teach multiple sections of the same course.
(Optional) Subject: Add a subject (e.g., "Mathematics," "History").
(Optional) Room: Enter the physical location for the class.
Click "Create".

Step 3: Class Code Generated

Once created, Google Classroom automatically generates a class code. This code is essential for inviting students to your class. You'll find it prominently displayed on the class's Stream page.

B. Customizing Your Class

1. Change Class Theme:

On your class's Stream page, in the bottom right corner of the header image, click "Customize" or "Change class theme".
You can choose from a gallery of pre-set themes or upload your own photo.
You can also change the theme color.
Click "Save".

2. Edit Class Details:

On your class's Stream page, click the Settings gear icon (top right).
Under "Class details," you can edit the class name, section, subject, and room.
Click "Save".

3. Manage Stream Settings:

In the class settings, under "General," you can control student permissions for posting and commenting on the Stream page.

Students can post and comment (Default): Students can create new posts and reply to existing ones.
Students can only comment: Students can only reply to teacher posts.
Only teachers can post or comment: Students cannot post or comment on the Stream.

C. Inviting Students to Your Class

There are several ways to invite students:

1. Share the Class Code (Most Common):

On your class's Stream page, locate the class code.
Share this code with your students (e.g., write it on the board, email it, post it on your school's communication platform). Students will use this code to join the class.

2. Send an Invite Link:

Go to the "People" tab in your class.
Next to "Students," click the "Invite students" icon.
Click "Copy invite link".
Share this link with your students.

3. Email Invitations:

Go to the "People" tab in your class.
Next to "Students," click the "Invite students" icon.
Type in the email addresses of your students. You can also select from your Google Contacts.
Click "Invite". Students will receive an email with an invitation to join.

D. Creating and Managing Classwork

The "Classwork" tab is where you will create, organize, and distribute assignments, questions, and materials.

1. Create a Topic (Optional, but Recommended for Organization):

On the "Classwork" page, click "+ Create" and select "Topic".
Enter a name for your topic (e.g., "Unit 1: Introduction to Algebra," "Week 3 Readings").
Click "Add". Topics help you organize your classwork logically.

2. Create an Assignment:

On the "Classwork" page, click "+ Create" and select "Assignment".
Title: Enter a clear title for the assignment.
Instructions: Provide detailed instructions for students.
Add attachments:

1. Google Drive: Attach existing files from your Google Drive (e.g., Google Docs, Slides, Sheets). When attaching a Google
Doc for students to work on individually, choose "Make a copy for each student" under the dropdown menu.

2. Link: Paste a link to a website or resource.

3. File: Upload a file from your computer.

4. YouTube: Link to a YouTube video.

Points: Set the point value for the assignment.
Due date: Set a due date and time.
Topic: Select a topic to organize the assignment (if you've created topics).
Rubric (Optional): Create or reuse a rubric for grading.
Assign to: By default, it's assigned to "All students." You can uncheck "All students" to assign to specific students or student groups.
Click "Assign" (or "Schedule" for a future date, or "Save draft").

3. Create a Quiz Assignment (using Google Forms):

On the "Classwork" page, click "+ Create" and select "Quiz assignment".
This automatically creates a blank Google Form for you to build your quiz.
Follow the same steps as creating a regular assignment for title, instructions, points, due date, and topic.

4. Create a Question (for quick discussions or polls):

On the "Classwork" page, click "+ Create" and select "Question".
Enter your question.
Choose between "Short answer" or "Multiple choice".
Set points, due date, and topic.
You can allow students to reply to each other or edit their answer.
Click "Ask".

5. Create Material (for resources without a submission):

On the "Classwork" page, click "+ Create" and select "Material".
Enter a title and description.
Attach any relevant files (e.g., lecture notes, readings, videos).
Select a topic.
Click "Post".

E. Grading and Feedback

1. View Submissions:

On the "Classwork" page, click on an assignment.
You'll see a summary of student work: "Assigned," "Turned in," and "Graded."
Click on a student's name to view their submission.

2. Grade and Provide Feedback:

When viewing a student's submission, you can:

1. Enter a grade in the provided box.

2. Add private comments for the student.

3. Use Google Docs' commenting features to provide inline feedback (if it's a Google Doc).5

Click "Return" to send the graded assignment back to the student. They will receive a notification.

3. View Grades:

Go to the "Grades" tab in your class.
This page acts as a digital gradebook, displaying grades for all assignments for all students.
You can export grades if needed.

Guiding Students in Google Classroom

A. Joining a Class

You can join a class using a class code, a class link, or an email invitation from your teacher.

1. Join with a Class Code (Most Common):

On the Google Classroom homepage, look for the "+" icon in the top right corner.
Click it and select "Join class".
Enter the class code provided by your teacher (it's 6-8 characters long, letters and numbers, no spaces or special symbols).
Click "Join".

2. Join with a Class Link:

If your teacher sent you a class link, simply click on the link. It will take you directly to the class in Google Classroom.

3. Join with an Email Invite:

Check your email for an invitation from your teacher.
Open the email and click the "Join" button in the invitation.

B. Navigating Your Class

Once you've joined a class, you'll see four main tabs:

Stream: This is like a message board or news feed. Your teacher will post announcements here, and you may be able to post questions or comments depending on your teacher's settings.
Classwork: This is where you'll find all your assignments, questions, and learning materials organized by your teacher, often by topic.
People: This tab shows a list of your teacher(s) and classmates. You can email your teacher from here.
Grades (or Your Work): This tab allows you to see your grades for assignments and check the status of your work (assigned, turned in, graded).

C. Completing and Turning In Assignments

1. Accessing Assignments:

Go to the "Classwork" tab.
Click on an assignment to view its details, including instructions, due date, and any attached files.

2. Working on Assignments:

If your teacher attached a Google Doc (or Slides, Sheets) with the "Make a copy for each student" option, simply click on the document to open your personal copy. You can then edit it directly.
For other attachments (like PDFs), you might need to download them, complete the work, and then re-upload.

3. Turning In Assignments:

Once you've completed your work:

If you edited a Google Doc directly assigned to you, the changes save automatically. Click "Turn in" on the assignment page in Google Classroom.
If you created your own file or downloaded and re-uploaded a file:

1. Choose "Google Drive", "Link", or "File" to attach your completed work.

2. Once attached, click "Turn in" (or "Mark as done" if there's nothing to attach).

You may be asked to confirm. Click "Turn in" again.

4. Answering Questions:

For "Question" posts, click on the question.
Type your answer in the provided box.
Click "Turn in".

D. Checking Grades and Feedback

Go to the "Grades" tab (or "Your work").
You will see a list of all your assignments and their status (assigned, turned in, graded).
Click on a graded assignment to see your score and any private comments or inline feedback from your teacher.

Important Tips for All Users

1. Stay Organized: Use the "Classwork" tab with topics to keep track of assignments and materials.

2. Notifications: Manage your email notifications for Google Classroom to stay informed about new assignments, announcements, and
feedback. You can typically find these settings by clicking the Menu (three horizontal lines) in the top left, then "Settings."

3. Google Drive Integration: Google Classroom automatically creates a Classroom folder in your Google Drive, where all your class-related
documents are stored.

4. Mobile App: Google Classroom has a mobile app for both Android and iOS, providing convenient access on the go.

5. Troubleshooting: If you encounter issues, first check your internet connection and ensure you're signed in with the correct Google Account.
If problems persist, contact your teacher or school's IT administrator.

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