3 Tips to Make Better Google Classroom Assignments

Want to take your Google Classroom assignments to the next level? Here are three tips for creating better assignments in Google Classroom:

 

  Tip # 1 - Break out Emojis!

Add emojis to instructions to serve as bullets or help key instructions stand out! Our students are visual creatures, which is why apps like Instagram and Snapchat are much more engaging to our kiddos! An awesome way to get emojis is through Joy Pixel's Emoji Keyboard Chrome extension.

Tip # 2 - Don't get too attached! 

Too many attachments is difficult to manage for students. A good rule of thumb is to use no more than 3 attachments in a post. What if you need more attachments? Consider embedding additional resources like websites, templates, etc. in a Google Doc with instructions.

Need a sample? Check out my UDL Essay instructions. You will notice that it contains:

• The Lesson Goal
• Suggested Steps to Complete Assignment
• FAQ's
• Rubric

Bonus Tip!

Did you know that you can force students to make a copy of a Google Doc by clicking a link? Check out how here! This is a great way to make optional templates available for students, so that they can make as many copies as they would like. 

Force a copy with one simple step!

Tip # 3 - Screencast to save your voice and hair!

Add a screencast with instructions. A one to two minute screencast might be a helpful way for students to remember what to do or help parents understand an assignment. Simply attach your screencast to your assignment so that students know what to expect, how to complete, and how to submit.  

One of my favorite tools is Screencastify! It is quick, easy, and saves to Google Classroom! 

It might sound like extra work to record yourself; however, you could record yourself while you are already giving your class instructions or have a student do it. The point is to have something available for students who might be working remotely, need to hear it again, or weren't paying attention. 

3 Ways to Make Google Classroom Accessible to All Students

Remote learning can be challenging for all students; however, there are specific proactive steps we can take to help students become successful in an online environment. Check out my video below for how!

 

  Idea # 1 - Create a Dedicated Place to Ask Questions

I love having a dedicated place in any online class I teach, where students can ask a question and receive an answer. This public forum allows students to see questions and answers that their classmates have requested and received. Share links, videos, and responses to solve problems. Plus, it is a great way to have other students contribute to the class environment by answering their classmate's questions.

Idea # 2 - Stay Organized

Keep organized by using the topics feature to organize assignments by the due date. It may also be helpful to number your assignments for easy identification. For example, if a student is missing an assignment, it may be beneficial to refer to it as 001 Revolutionary War Essay versus Revolutionary War Analysis Essay. Organizing assignments by number also has an additional benefit! It helps keep the folders that are automatically created for each assignment in Google Drive organized.

Idea # 3 - Tips to Make Assignments Accessible

There are several different tips for making assignments accessible for students:

• Students may need visual cues to complete assignments. If you have several steps required to complete a task, you might want to consider adding emojis! This may sound very simplistic; however, it can have a significant impact on students completing assignments correctly. Joypixels is a great Chrome Extension to check out!

• Create instructions that include Frequently Asked Questions. If you know that students traditionally struggle with certain things in your assignment, why not prepare for it? 

• Provide students with steps they can take if they get confused! 

• Consider adding examples of student work and rubrics. This will help students understand exactly what you are looking for. 

• Consider adding screencasts or videos with helpful hints, reminders, and even a way to review content that they may have forgotten. 

Orange Slice Rubric Generator and Google Classroom Hack

Need to create a rubric for students? The Orange Slice Teacher rubric generator is one of my favorite tools for creating rubrics. Although there is a student add-on that allows you to distribute and share with students, I have found it challenging to use in certain situations.

Google Classroom does have it's own rubric generator as well; however, it does not provide pre-made options at this time and does not place results in a Google Doc.

Instead, I want to show you how to create your own rubric, save as a Google Doc, and distribute to students in your favorite learning management system. Here is an easy hack for using Orange Slice and Google Classroom to generate a rubric!

Anyone Can Now Use Google Classroom!

If you are a G Suite School, then you know the power of Google Classroom. It makes allocating resources, communicating events, and turning in assignments extremely easy!

Classroom just recently underwent a huge change! You can now create your own Google Classroom with your personal Google account! This is great news for teachers who want to build their own Classrooms for afterschool activities, professional development, communicating with parents, etc.

Simply visit classroom.google.com to create or join your very first class!

Leave Your Popsicles at Home and Try Random Student for Teacher Instead!

Summer is a great time to recalibrate and begin to thinking about tools to make your life easier. Random Student for Teacher is an excellent iOS App that you may want to consider to integrate into your classroom for next year. Why?

The free version of the Random Student for Teacher App will allow you to create 1 class, while the paid version will allow you to create 9.

This is a great tool for you with a way to randomly call on students. You may have Popsicle sticks in your classroom, but this App takes things a step further:

• Import your student rosters from Google Classroom! This is perfect for Google Apps for Education schools!

• Have your device speak the name of the student aloud

• Take attendance so absent students are not called

• Create random groups

I like the fact that you can add your own student photos, but you can also use the photos to quiz yourself on student names. This is an excellent way to quickly learn names!

Schedule Posts in Google Classroom

Google Classroom just launched a cool new feature for posting announcements, assignments, and questions at a specific date and time. Google Classroom will automatically post your message in your class stream at the right time.

How does it work? 

1. If you are using the web version of Google Classroom, you will want to create an announcement, assignment, or question.

2. Click on the drop-down arrow next to the word "Post" and choose "Schedule."

3. Choose the date and time that you would like to post. Google Classroom will do the rest.

Conclusion:

I really like this feature because it gives you an option to plan ahead. You no longer have to post at the exact moment you need an assignment, announcement, or question. Google Classroom lets you plan days, weeks, and even months ahead!