{"id":2386,"date":"2017-01-06T16:46:58","date_gmt":"2017-01-06T23:46:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/?p=2386"},"modified":"2017-01-06T16:49:21","modified_gmt":"2017-01-06T23:49:21","slug":"google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Google Classroom is a learning management system (LMS) designed by Google and implemented in Google&#8217;s G Suite for Education. This highlights new features added or changed from the previous published <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2015\/09\/overview-of-google-classroom-features-2015\/\">article<\/a>. If you have not read the first article, it provides an overview of all the features of Google Classroom. This article builds onto those features. Therefore, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2015\/09\/overview-of-google-classroom-features-2015\/\">the first article<\/a> and then return here.<\/p>\n<p>For a FREE Sample Chapter of my latest book, <em>Teaching with Google Classroom<\/em>, click <a href=\"http:\/\/tns.tips\/gclassbook\" target=\"_blank\">here<\/a>.<!--more--><\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Video_Tutorial\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> Video Tutorial<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Written_Tutorial\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Written Tutorial<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Navigation_changes\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.1<\/span> Navigation changes<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Adding_a_subject_to_new_classes\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_3\">2.1.1<\/span> Adding a subject to new classes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Organizing_Stream_posts_with_Topics\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_3\">2.1.2<\/span> Organizing Stream posts with Topics<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Stream_post_changes\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.2<\/span> Stream post changes<\/a><ul><li><a href=\"#Scheduling_a_time_to_publish_posts\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_3\">2.2.1<\/span> Scheduling a time to publish posts<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Polling_students_with_the_Question_post\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_3\">2.2.2<\/span> Polling students with the Question post<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Changes_to_the_assignment_post\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_3\">2.2.3<\/span> Changes to the assignment post<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#ParentGuardian_communication\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_2\">2.3<\/span> Parent\/Guardian communication<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li><a href=\"#Closing_Thoughts\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Closing Thoughts<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h1><span id=\"Video_Tutorial\">Video Tutorial<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LpGlU11j39w\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><br \/>\n<em>For a written tutorial, continue on to the next section. <\/em><br \/>\n<!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h1><span id=\"Written_Tutorial\">Written Tutorial<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Being a web app, Google incrementally updates the features found within G Suite to better cater to its users. However, these changes increase the responsibility of the users to learn about the changes and how they affect new and previously created content. This article highlights the changes in navigation, stream posts and the new feature, guardian summaries.<\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Navigation_changes\">Navigation changes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>There are several minor changes throughout Google Classroom that are not noticeable unless you are familiar with the user interface before the changes. These small changes are not covered. Instead, more noticeable changes that affect\u00a0<em>organisation<\/em> within a class can help both teachers and students retrieve information easier within the class.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Adding_a_subject_to_new_classes\">Adding a subject to new classes<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>When creating a new class, teachers now have an option to add the subject to the class, as shown below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/02.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-2359 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/02-300x226.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"226\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/02-300x226.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/02-30x23.jpg 30w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/02.jpg 367w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When this section is filled in, Google classroom will guess an appropriate theme for the class more accurately and students will be able to see the subject below the class title rather than the section. This change allows teachers to rely less on the class title to include the subject. Class titles can be as simple as &#8216;Mr. Zhang&#8217;s Class&#8217; rather than &#8216;Mr. Zhang&#8217;s Science 10 Class.&#8217; The change is minor, but it is also applicable for classes created for projects or clubs rather than classes. An image of the change is found below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/03.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2360 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/03.jpg\" width=\"934\" height=\"339\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/03.jpg 934w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/03-300x109.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/03-768x279.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/03-30x11.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 934px) 100vw, 934px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Organizing_Stream_posts_with_Topics\">Organizing Stream posts with Topics<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In the Stream, there are several changes to the left sidebar. The first noticeable change is that the class code is no longer visible in the Stream. Instead, it is found in the sidebar of the Student section. In its place, there is a Topics card. This new card allows categorical topics to be added to posts in the Stream. These topics can be specific units, resource categories, or any other classification needed. One teacher uses topics to also indicate whether a post contains enrichment information that is fun and interesting but not part of the unit curriculum. To start, created topics by clicking on the &#8216;ADD TOPIC&#8217; button, shown below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/04.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-medium wp-image-2361\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/04-300x197.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"197\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/04-300x197.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/04-768x503.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/04-30x20.jpg 30w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/04.jpg 832w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A dialogue box will appears where the topic name is filled in.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/05.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2362\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/05.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"245\" height=\"227\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/05.jpg 245w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/05-30x28.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 245px) 100vw, 245px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Topics names will appear in the Topics card in the sidebar. When creating a post in the stream, find the &#8216;Topic&#8217; drop down menu in the dialogue box, shown below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/08.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2364 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/08.jpg\" width=\"795\" height=\"381\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/08.jpg 795w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/08-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/08-768x368.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/08-30x14.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 795px) 100vw, 795px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then you are able to select a pre-existing topic or create a new one.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/09.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2365\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/09.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"781\" height=\"375\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/09.jpg 781w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/09-300x144.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/09-768x369.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/09-30x14.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 781px) 100vw, 781px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To add a topic to a previously created post, simply click on the kabob menu of the post and add the topic using the same method as creating a new post.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-2363 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07-1024x453.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"453\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07-1024x453.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07-300x133.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07-768x340.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07-30x13.jpg 30w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/07.jpg 1082w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>When a topic is added to a post, it will be visible below the post title, seen below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/11.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2366\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/11.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"799\" height=\"437\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/11.jpg 799w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/11-300x164.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/11-768x420.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/11-30x16.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>In order to view all posts categorized within a topic, click on the topic name in the sidebar.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/12.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2367\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/12.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"857\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/12.jpg 857w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/12-300x163.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/12-768x418.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/12-30x16.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 857px) 100vw, 857px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Stream_post_changes\">Stream post changes<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Posts within the Stream has also received new features.<\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Scheduling_a_time_to_publish_posts\">Scheduling a time to publish posts<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Any post in the Stream can now be scheduled to posting rather than be posted immediately or saved as a draft. This feature is found within the drop-down menu beside the &#8216;POST&#8217; button of any post dialogue box.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/13.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2368\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/13.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"926\" height=\"392\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/13.jpg 926w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/13-300x127.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/13-768x325.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/13-30x13.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 926px) 100vw, 926px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Within the menu will have the option to schedule to post.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/14.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2369\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/14.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"925\" height=\"501\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/14.jpg 925w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/14-300x162.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/14-768x416.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/14-30x16.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 925px) 100vw, 925px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once the schedule option is selected, a dialogue box will appear to select the date and time for publishing the post.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/15.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2370\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/15.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"354\" height=\"311\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/15.jpg 354w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/15-300x264.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/15-30x26.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 354px) 100vw, 354px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Then the post will appear in the saved posts section until the publishing time arrives.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2371\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1082\" height=\"361\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16.jpg 1082w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16-300x100.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16-768x256.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16-1024x342.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/16-30x10.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1082px) 100vw, 1082px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To make changes to the publishing time or to remove it altogether, within the post, you can make necessary changes to the publishing heading at the top of the saved post.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/17.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2372\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/17.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"916\" height=\"483\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/17.jpg 916w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/17-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/17-768x405.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/17-30x16.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 916px) 100vw, 916px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>The applications for this feature are endless. Whether the posts are scheduled at the beginning of the week or the night before, it reduces the amount of items a teacher needs to juggle to keep a lesson running smoothly. An example of using the schedule feature is the schedule the days Do Nows or Exit Slips the night before.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Polling_students_with_the_Question_post\">Polling students with the Question post<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Previously the question post only provided students with a short answer response to a question. Now the Question post allows the teacher to choose whether to pose a short answer question or to poll the students and a single multiple choice question. Whether it is a pre-planned vote or a spur-of-the-moment concept check, these questions provide a fast method of receiving student feedback. In the Question post, there is now a drop-down menu to select between Short answer and Multiple choice.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/18.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2373\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/18.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"788\" height=\"388\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/18.jpg 788w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/18-300x148.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/18-768x378.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/18-30x15.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once multiple choice is selected, options fields will appear below for what the students can select.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/20.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2375\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/20.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"938\" height=\"552\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/20.jpg 938w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/20-300x177.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/20-768x452.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/20-30x18.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 938px) 100vw, 938px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once the question is complete, students will be able to answer the multiple choice question directly in the Stream.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/21.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2376\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/21.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"812\" height=\"355\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/21.jpg 812w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/21-300x131.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/21-768x336.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/21-30x13.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 812px) 100vw, 812px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>By default, students will be able to see how many students selected which option from the shaded bars that appear in the background of each option.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/22.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2377\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/22.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"815\" height=\"326\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/22.jpg 815w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/22-300x120.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/22-768x307.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/22-30x12.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 815px) 100vw, 815px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h3><span id=\"Changes_to_the_assignment_post\">Changes to the assignment post<\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The assignment post has features added so that it is easier to grade student work. Some changes are small such as\u00a0marking an assignment as done if a student completes the Google Form linked to the assignment. Another small change is the option to sort the student list in the assignments page, shown below. The students can now be sorted alphabetically by first or last name as well as complete or incomplete assignment.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/23.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2378\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/23.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"864\" height=\"526\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/23.jpg 864w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/23-300x183.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/23-768x468.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/23-30x18.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Assignment grades can now also be exported as a CSV file (which can be opened in Microsoft Excel) or copied to a Google Sheet. These exports allow the teacher to view the grades of all students within the class on all assignments within the class. An example of an exported assignments grades is shown below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2382\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1256\" height=\"452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27.jpg 1256w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27-300x108.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27-768x276.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27-1024x369.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/27-30x11.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1256px) 100vw, 1256px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>To export class grades to a CSV file or Google Sheet, click on the settings gear in any of the assignment pages.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/26.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2381\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/26.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"840\" height=\"514\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/26.jpg 840w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/26-300x184.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/26-768x470.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/26-30x18.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Finally, another small but useful change is the option to add a private comment to all student assignments being returned. Once assignments are ready to be returned a new line appear on the dialogue box that confirms which assignments are being returned.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2380\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1280\" height=\"720\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/25-30x17.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>While many of these changes are small to the assignment post, they gradually save a significant amount of time as the year progresses.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"ParentGuardian_communication\">Parent\/Guardian communication<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The final major new feature added to Google Classroom is Guardian Summaries. This feature must be enabled by the G Suite administrator before it is available. Teachers will be able to invite parents or guardians to Google Classroom so that they are able to receive daily or weekly email summaries of the assignments and announcements within Google Classroom. Before using this feature, consult with administration or technology leads to ensure that all necessary protocols are followed. For example, some school districts require confirmation that the email is indeed a parent or guardian. Therefore, teachers collect the emails during the meet-the-teacher night that occurs at the beginning of the year.<\/p>\n<p>To enable Guardian Summaries, click on the switch found within its card in the Students section, shown below.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2383\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1175\" height=\"542\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28.jpg 1175w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28-300x138.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28-768x354.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28-1024x472.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/28-30x14.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1175px) 100vw, 1175px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>A dialogue box will appear to confirm enabling guardian email summaries. There is also a checkbox to enable guardian summaries for all the current active classes in Google Classroom.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/29.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2384\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/29.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"224\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/29.jpg 500w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/29-300x134.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/29-30x13.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once this feature is activated, teachers will be able to add parent emails beside students in the student section.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2387\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1145\" height=\"554\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30.jpg 1145w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30-300x145.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30-768x372.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30-1024x495.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/30-30x15.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1145px) 100vw, 1145px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once parents or guardians receive the email, they must accept the invitation and will be directed to the following dialogue box\u00a0<em>if they are not using a Google Account<\/em>. Guardians are able to use Google Classroom by either linking a non-Google account to a pre-existing Google account or by creating a new Google account to link. (Therefore, it is easier if parents submit a Google email address).<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/31.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2388\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/31.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"785\" height=\"248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/31.jpg 785w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/31-300x95.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/31-768x243.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/31-30x9.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 785px) 100vw, 785px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Once guardians\u00a0have accepted the invitation, the email address will change to the guardian&#8217;s name.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-2390\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1148\" height=\"385\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33.jpg 1148w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33-300x101.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33-768x258.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33-1024x343.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/33-30x10.jpg 30w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1148px) 100vw, 1148px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h1><span id=\"Closing_Thoughts\">Closing Thoughts<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>As Google Classroom continues to mature into a feature rich learning management system, small and large changes will continue year-to-year. However, as shown throughout this article, change is not always bad. Many of these changes are specifically designed so that Google Classroom is more efficient as easy to use for both teachers are students. As you continue to integrate Google Classroom into your classroom, embracing change can contribute to a more organized, more efficient learning environment that can save time for more important tasks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Google Classroom is a learning management system (LMS) designed by Google and implemented in Google&#8217;s G Suite for Education. This highlights new features added or changed from the previous published article. If you have not read the first article, it provides an overview of all the features of Google Classroom. This article builds onto those [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":2391,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[11,76,2],"tags":[72,77],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.6.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn more about the new features found within Google Classroom that improves on an already efficient system for managing a classroom environment.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/\" \/>\n<link rel=\"next\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/2\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn more about the new features found within Google Classroom that improves on an already efficient system for managing a classroom environment.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Tech Nerd Services - Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2017-01-06T23:46:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2017-01-06T23:49:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/thumb.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"720\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Mike Zhang\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Mike Zhang\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/\",\"name\":\"Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2017-01-06T23:46:58+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2017-01-06T23:49:21+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fc12cf34dd081fb261e26a8ef8208f50\"},\"description\":\"Learn more about the new features found within Google Classroom that improves on an already efficient system for managing a classroom environment.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/\",\"name\":\"Tech Nerd Services - Blog\",\"description\":\"Technology Consulting and Training\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fc12cf34dd081fb261e26a8ef8208f50\",\"name\":\"Mike Zhang\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-CA\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88597b7505f7d9cfd0a2eecad53a9d8a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88597b7505f7d9cfd0a2eecad53a9d8a?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Mike Zhang\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/author\/mike\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)","description":"Learn more about the new features found within Google Classroom that improves on an already efficient system for managing a classroom environment.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/","next":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/2\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)","og_description":"Learn more about the new features found within Google Classroom that improves on an already efficient system for managing a classroom environment.","og_url":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/","og_site_name":"Tech Nerd Services - Blog","article_published_time":"2017-01-06T23:46:58+00:00","article_modified_time":"2017-01-06T23:49:21+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":720,"url":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/thumb.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Mike Zhang","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Mike Zhang","Est. reading time":"7 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/","url":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/","name":"Google Tips: An Updated Overview of Google Classroom Features (2017)","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#website"},"datePublished":"2017-01-06T23:46:58+00:00","dateModified":"2017-01-06T23:49:21+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fc12cf34dd081fb261e26a8ef8208f50"},"description":"Learn more about the new features found within Google Classroom that improves on an already efficient system for managing a classroom environment.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-CA","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/2017\/01\/google-tips-updated-overview-classroom-features\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/","name":"Tech Nerd Services - Blog","description":"Technology Consulting and Training","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-CA"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/fc12cf34dd081fb261e26a8ef8208f50","name":"Mike Zhang","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-CA","@id":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88597b7505f7d9cfd0a2eecad53a9d8a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/88597b7505f7d9cfd0a2eecad53a9d8a?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Mike Zhang"},"url":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/author\/mike\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2386"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2386"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2386\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2391"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2386"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2386"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.technerdservices.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2386"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}