Using Private Comments in Google Classroom

October 26, 2017

Using private comments in google classroom has created a vastly more independent learning environment.

How?

I can personalize my teaching because I can make comments that those students and only those students can see.
I can be immediately reactive to the work or question, not having to go back through things to remind myself what I had originally said.
As soon as I have graded, or given feedback on something, I can immediately go into the private comments-which I often use for the feedback-to give my thoughts and ideas, and next steps to take. This way the students can see it immediately also, and if they have the notifications correctly set up (which most of little app-savvy group have), they even get a message that tells them that I had left a comment.
Students can respond to me, and I get that immediately. When students are retaking work, making changes, editing, etc., I not only get a notification that they have done so, but I can go back to see my original comments, to make sure that we’re all on the same page. It’s so much easier, than trying to figure out what changes were made!
Personal comments give clues to individual misconceptions and help me to correct them for that individual student. I can ask seeking questions and determine where the problem might lie.

So, How Does it Work?

Every assignment and announcement allows Class Comments. These are useful for moments that are helpful to all. Annoying until the students understand that a litany of, “Hi!” is not acceptable. That’s useful. But what is really powerful is the private comment feature.

Once students have opened an assignment, there is a place for private comments. These messages come right to me and allow an immediate response. Perfect. No one has to fear the silly questions in front of their peers. No one has to worry about others hearing their question. I don’t have to look to far to understand the question as it is irrevocably linked to the assignment in question. Plus we all see the messages that went before and are able to refer back to them as necessary!

Example of a 'Private Comment' conversation for a student advocating for herself.

But, Aren’t You Always Available?

Well, sure. But you can always receive an email too - and this is far more convenient. You could turn off notifications too so that you can schedule that non-work time. Or you can be like me, who’d rather get the message and answer it in a timely manner. That way it isn’t hanging over me, work gets done, and I don’t ha e another item for the morning to-do list.

I can scarcely comment about students not being invested in their learning but then ignore them when they are, now can I?!