As a teacher, you know how difficult it can be to stay organized and productive when teaching online. From managing assignments and grading to keeping students engaged and motivated, there’s a lot to juggle. If you’re feeling overwhelmed and disorganized with your online teaching, it might be time to check out the best Google Classroom hacks that will boost your productivity.
Google Classroom is a powerful tool that can help streamline your workflow and make your online teaching more efficient. Here are 10 hacks you need to know:
1. Use the grading feature to save time on grading.
One of the most time-consuming tasks for any teacher is grading homework. Fortunately, Google Classroom has a built-in grading feature that can save you a lot of time. With this feature, you can quickly and easily grade assignments and provide feedback to students.
To use it, simply click on the assignment you want to grade, then enter the score and comments you want to leave for the student. You can also use the grading feature to return graded assignments to students, so they can see their grades and feedback immediately.
2. Use the announcements feature to communicate effectively with students.
Effective communication is key to the success of any online course. Google Classroom has an announcements feature that lets you quickly and easily send messages to your students. You can use this feature to announce new assignments, share resources, and keep students up to date with what’s happening in your course.
To create an ad, simply click on the “Ads” tab in the main menu and click on “Create ad”. Type your message, add any attachments or links you want to include, then click “Publish”. Your announcement will be sent to all your students and they will receive a notification.
To get the most out of the announcements feature, it’s important to use it regularly and make your announcements clear and concise. You also need to be careful about the tone you use, as this can have a big impact on how your students perceive your message.
Finally, be sure to encourage students to ask questions or provide feedback in the comment section, as this can help foster a sense of community and engagement.
3. Use integration with Google Drive to stay organized.
Google Classroom is integrated with Google Drive, making it easy to store and organize your course materials. Google Drive is a cloud storage service that lets you store, share, and collaborate on files. With Google Drive, you can upload files of any type, create documents and presentations, and share resources with your students.
One of the benefits of using Google Drive with Google Classroom is that you can keep all your course materials in one place. It can help you stay organized and ensure that everything you need for your course is easily accessible. You can create folders for different units or topics, and you can add files, documents, and links to each folder. This can make it easier for your students to find what they need, and it can also help you stay organized.
To use Google Drive with Google Classroom, simply click on the “Classwork” tab in the main menu and click on the “Google Drive” tab. From there, you can create a new folder or upload a file. You can also share a file or folder with your students by clicking the “Share” button.
4. Use the calendar feature to stay on top of deadlines and events.
Google Classroom’s calendar feature is a great way to keep up to date with deadlines and events. You can use it to schedule virtual meetings, set homework deadlines, and create events for your students.
To access the calendar, click on the “Calendar” tab in the main menu. From there, you can create a new event by clicking “Create Event” and filling in the details.
5. Use the mobile app to stay connected on the go.
If you’re always on the go, the Google Classroom mobile app is a must. It lets you access and manage your courses from your smartphone or tablet, so you can stay connected and productive wherever you are. With the app, you can view assignments, post announcements, and grade assignments, all from your mobile device.
6. Use the “Questions” function to facilitate discussions.
Google Classroom’s Questions feature is a great way to facilitate discussions with your students. You can use it to start a discussion on a particular topic, or you can allow students to ask and answer questions. This can help foster critical thinking and encourage student engagement. To access the “Questions” feature, click on the “Classwork” tab in the main menu and click on the “Questions” tab.
7. Use the “Classwork” page to organize assignments and materials.
Google Classroom’s Classwork page is a great way to organize assignments and materials for your class. It lets you create folders for different units or subjects, and you can add assignments, quizzes, and resources to each folder. It can help your students stay organized and easily access everything they need for your course.
To use the “Classwork” page, click on the “Classwork” tab in the main menu. From here, you can see a list of all assignments and materials in your course. To create a new folder, click the “Add Folder” button and give your folder a name. You can then add assignments and materials to your folder by clicking the “Add” button and selecting the type of material you want to add (such as an assignment or a quiz).
One of the benefits of using the Classwork page is that it allows you to create structure for your course. By organizing your homework and materials into folders, you can help your students see the big picture and understand how everything fits together. This can be especially useful for online courses, where it can be harder for students to see connections between different topics.
In addition to creating folders and adding assignments and materials, you can also customize the look of your “Classwork” page. For example, you can change the color and theme of your page, or you can rearrange the order of your folders and assignments. It can help you create a visually appealing and user-friendly course for your students.
8. Use the “People” tab to manage student access and roles.
The People tab in Google Classroom lets you manage student access and roles within your class. This can be especially useful if you teach a large class or have multiple sections of the same course. With the “People” tab, you can invite students to join your course, remove students who are no longer enrolled, and assign roles to students (such as teacher, student, or TA).
To access the “People” tab, click on the “People” tab from the main menu. From here, you can see a list of all students in your course. To invite a student to join your course, click the “Invite Students” button and enter the student’s email address. You will also have the possibility to send a personalized message to the student.
If you need to remove a student from your course, click on the student’s name, then click the “Remove” button. You can also change a student’s role by clicking on the “Change role” button. For example, you can grant privileges to a student teacher if they help you lead the class.
9. Use the “Analytics” feature to track student progress.
Google Classroom’s “Analytics” feature allows you to track student progress and identify areas for improvement. You can see how students are doing on homework, quizzes, and tests, and you can see which students may need extra help. This can help you tailor your teaching to the needs of your students and ensure everyone is progressing.
10. Use the “Integrations” feature to connect to other tools.
Google Classroom’s “Integrations” feature allows you to connect to other tools, such as G Suite apps. This can help you improve your teaching and make your lesson more interactive. For example, you can use the integration with Google Forms to create surveys and quizzes, or you can use the integration with Google Maps to create interactive maps.
Overall, the announcements feature is a powerful tool for keeping your students informed and engaged, so be sure to use it regularly.
Conclusion
These Google Classroom hacks featured in this article can help streamline your workflow, boost your productivity, and make your online teaching more efficient. From using the grading feature to save time on grading to using the “Integrations” feature to connect with other tools, there are plenty of ways to get the most out of Google Classroom. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed and disorganized with your online teaching, try these hacks and see how they can transform your teaching.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you and your students. The beauty of Google Classroom is that it’s a flexible and customizable platform, so you can tailor it to your needs and preferences. And if you have any other Google Classroom hacks that have worked for you, we encourage you to share them in the comment section.