Integrating Other Google Apps
Many have gravitated to Google because of its entire suite of integrated apps. Google's applications and storage are all in the Cloud so they are easily accessible by all devices as long as they have Internet access. Teachers and students are easily able to communicate and collaborate with each other through many of the applications. There are several Google Apps which your students should be knowledgeable of and use in your classroom.
STEPS FOR INTEGRATING OTHER GOOGLE APPS
STEPS:
Google Calendar
1. The first application is Google Calendar which you learned about in the last section. If your students are not familiar with how to use their own personal Google calendar, show them how to use the calendar so that they are more organized.
2. Here is a Google Calendar tutorial for students.
3. You will also want to show them the video from the previous section on the difference between their personal Google calendar and the calendar in the Google Classroom.
Google Drive Folder
4. Each Google Classroom has their own Google Drive folder. Teachers may attach a drive file e.g., document, slides or sheets. They can:
- Allow students to view the file—All students can read the file, but not edit it.
- Allow students to edit the file—All students share the same file and can edit it.
- Make a copy of the file for each student—Students get an individual copy of the file that they can edit. The student’s name is automatically added to the document title. When a student turns in the assignment, the teacher sees the file labeled with the student’s name
5. As students work on an assignment, the teacher can view their progress, add comments, and make edits in the documents.
Google Compare Documents Tool
6. Google has a NEW compare documents tool which can be found under Tools. Teachers can use this tool to compare essays and track revisions, saving them time when grading. View How To: Compare Documents in Google Docs.
Assigning YouTube Videos
7. Teachers can assign YouTube videos to students using the Assignments tab. Teachers can create their own YouTube Channel for sharing student work or teacher-created videos. Go to Create>Assignment>search for YouTube video by URL or topic. Once the teacher has chosen a video it will be assigned to the students.
Google Earth
8. Google Earth is not part of Google Classroom, but teachers can link to http://earth.google.com as an assignment.
9. There are so many ways to use Google Earth in the classroom. Here is an article from Richard Byrne on Ten Ways to Use Google Earth in the Google Classroom. Students love to just get on the application and look for their house, their friend's houses and look for familiar landmarks around the world.
10. View this video from Google Education on the ins and outs of Google Earth.
Google Jamboard
11. Another neat application to use with the students is Google Jamboard. It is a collaborative environment where you and your students can collaborate in real-time.
12. To access Jamboard, go to http://jamboard.google.com or select from the “Waffle” in the upper right-hand corner of Google.
12. Watch this video "How To Use Google Jamboard Tutorial For Teachers & Students - 2021 Guide" on how to use the free Google Jamboard app.
13. Once a Jam has been created it can be shared with students. There is a drawing tool, text tool, the ability to add images, an eraser, and a laser tool. There are multiple slides that students can work on and they can be downloaded as a PDF and frames can be saved as images.
GOOGLE KEEP AND GOOGLE TASKS
Other Google tools that you may want to use with students are Google Keep and Google Tasks. Google Keep is an excellent way to take notes and it is now part of Gmail and Calendar. Tasks are simply lists that can be created and checked off and they are integrated into Gmail and Calendar. You can find them on the far right side when you log in to Gmail or your Calendar.
The icons look like this and are easy to overlook unless you notice them on the right side of the webpage.
Increasing Efficiency and Productivity one of REMC's independent learning units has instructions for Google Keep and Google Calendar. Refer to these for tutorials.
Before you move on to the next section, make sure you have added what is most applicable to your Google Classroom.
As Google Classroom evolves, we will add applications, tips and ideas to this section as they are integrated into Google Classroom.
Let's move on to Using Other Applications With Google Classroom.
Standards
ADDRESSING THE ISTE STANDARDS FOR EDUCATORS
Leader
2b. Advocate for equitable access to educational technology, digital content and learning opportunities to meet the diverse needs of all students.
Citizen
3a. Create experiences for learners to make positive, socially responsible contributions and exhibit empathetic behavior online that build relationships and community.
3b. Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media fluency.
3c. Mentor students in safe, legal and ethical practices with digital tools and the protection of intellectual rights and property.
3d. Model and promote management of personal data and digital identity and protect student data privacy.
Collaborator
4d. Demonstrate cultural competency when communicating with students, parents and colleagues and interact with them as co-collaborators in student learning.
Designer
5a. Use technology to create, adapt and personalize learning experiences that foster independent learning and accommodate learner differences and needs.
5b. Design authentic learning activities that align with content area standards and use digital tools and resources to maximize active, deep learning.
5c. Explore and apply instructional design principles to create innovative digital learning environments that engage and support learning.
Facilitator
6a. Foster a culture where students take ownership of their learning goals and outcomes in both independent and group settings.
6b. Manage the use of technology and student learning strategies in digital platforms, virtual environments, hands-on makerspaces or in the field.
Analyst
7a. Provide alternative ways for students to demonstrate competency and reflect on their learning using technology.
7b. Use technology to design and implement a variety of formative and summative assessments that accommodate learner needs, provide timely feedback to students and inform instruction.
Additional Resources
Create Animated Backgrounds For Google Jamboard - Background Image Tutorial for Teachers 2021
15 Ways for Students to Use Google Keep
Free Virtual Whiteboard Google Jamboard App | Works on ANY Device
How to Assign Activities Google Classroom and Differentiate for your Students