Google Classroom is a free online service that allows teachers and students to easily share files with each other, so many people use it because it is reliable. Teachers post assignments for students to complete and can then grade them, all without having to print anything.
It also serves as a method of communication. Teachers can post announcements and upcoming assignments, as well as email both students and their parents, telling them their scores, and guiding them.
It relies heavily on the use of Google Drive, a free cloud-based file-sharing program. It allows teachers to use Google Docs, Google Forms, and many other Google services to create and store assignments.
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How to access Google Classroom
Before you start using Google Classroom, you need to make sure you’re signed in to your Google Account. If you don’t have one, you can review our lesson on creating a Google Account to get started.
Google Classroom can be accessed by visiting classroom.google.com. There is also a mobile app that can be downloaded on both iPhone and Android devices.
How To create Creating a class
When you open Google Classroom, the first thing you’ll need to do is create a class. Click the Plus icon in the top-right corner, then select Create class.
This will bring up a dialog box asking if you’re planning on using Google Classroom at a school with students. Google Classroom requires schools to use G Suite for Education if their teachers plan to use it in their actual classrooms. This provides teachers and students with more privacy and security measures. If you’re using Google Classroom for your own personal use, you won’t need to worry about this.
You’ll then need to enter the name of your class. There’s also the option to enter a Section, Subject, and Room if you’re using Google Classroom in a school and want to include this information. When you’re done, click Create.
Navigating Google Classroom
Once you’ve created a class, you’ll be taken to that class’ page.
- Click the buttons in the interactive below to learn more about the Google Classroom interface.
Adding students to your class via email
Once you’ve created your class, you’ll need to add your students to it. One method you can use is to invite students via email. To do this, you’ll first need to navigate to the People tab.
Click the Invite students icon.
This will bring up a menu where you can type your students’ various email addresses. Once you’ve added these, click Invite.
This will send an email to your students, with a link inviting them to join your online classroom.
Adding students with a class code
The second option for adding students to your class is using a class code. This is a short code that anyone can use to join your class if you provide them with it.
If you want to enlarge the code to show the class, you can click the four corners icon.
Another way to access the class code is to first click the Class settings icon in the top-right corner.
You’ll find the class code under the General section. From here, you can share your class code with your students with an invite link or a class code.
You’ll also see some options for teachers to secure their Google Classroom. Click the drop-down arrow next to Manage invite codes.
Within the Manage invite codes menu, you can select an option that works best for your class.
- Turned on: Students at any time can join your class if they have the current class code or invite link.
- Turn off: No one else can join the class because the invite code is off.
- Reset: Invite code is resetted to a new code. Students can still join, but they will need the new code or invite link. This won’t affect students who have already joined the class.
Setting up the Stream
The stream is where students can also see announcements and other posts from their teacher. There are settings implemented on the stream that give students the option to post and comment or just comment, allowing you to ask your questions. To change these options, go to Class Settings. Then, click the drop-down menu next to Stream. For this example, we’ll select Only teachers can post or comment. By choosing this option, teachers will have control over the information posted to the stream.
Adjusting email notification settings
After creating a class, you can change how you are notified by students.
Click the Main Menu icon. A panel opens on the left side.
Then, click Settings.
Navigate to the Notifications section. There are toggle switches next to each notification setting. Currently, all are switched on. This means that the teacher will receive all email notifications.
- If you do not want some of the email notifications, take a look at the list and see if switching some of them off would work for you.
- If you do not want email notifications for a particular class, click the drop-down arrow next to Class notifications. There you can switch off notifications for a specific class.
If you do not want to receive any email notifications, switch off Receive email notifications.
By setting up notifications, you can adjust how many emails are sent to your inbox.