Google Classroom: A free web-based blended learning platform for educational institutions
The education sector witnessed a paradigm shift during the COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual classes and on-the-go blended learning have transformed the way school education is being imparted today. Breaking all physical and geographical barriers, Google’s free, web-based learning platform, Google Classroom, has made it easier for teachers and students to collaborate and achieve the learning goals together. It allows teachers to hold online classes, build curricula, and communicate work with students in a paperless manner.
How does Google Classroom work?
Google Classroom makes use of the numerous Google Workspace for Education (earlier called G Suite) features such as Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Google Meet, Chat and Forms which simplify teacher-student collaboration on a day-to-day basis. Through the ‘Stream settings’’ button, teachers can share the class code with their students, stream the class and depict class work.
Teachers can also work on grading the students through by dividing total points earned student by the maximum points available or through weighted category grading. In case of weighted category grading, a weightage is allocated to each of the grade categories. The average grades for each grade category are then calculated and multiplied by the grade weightage to give students a final grade out of 100.
What features does Google Classroom have?
Assignments, customisable grading system, virtual discussions, announcements and live classes are the main features of Google Classroom. In other words, through Google Classroom, teachers can gather all their learning tools in one place and manage multiple classes through a centralised destination and access it from anywhere on any device. This allows increased flexibility to the teachers.
How to set up Google Classroom?
Firstly, students, teachers and/ or parents need to open their Gmail account and then, click on the button at the top right-hand corner containing all the Google for Workspace applications. Further, the users need to click on Classroom. Secondly, the teachers will now enter a dashboard sort of a thing where they have to click on the ‘plus’ sign on the top right-hand corner and click on ‘Create a class’. However, in case students are using Google Classroom, they would have to select ‘Join a class’ button and enter the code shared by their teacher. Finally, the teachers can enter the required details such as class name, subject, etc so that the students can easily identify with it.
Who can use Google Classroom?
Anyone with a personal Google account can have access to Google Classroom, which is a free service. It’s also free for organisations that use Google Workspace for Education or Google Workspace for non-profit organisations. Usually, teachers and students can use a Google account issued by their school to access Google Classroom. While Google Classroom is mostly used by teachers and students across schools, it also has features for administrators, families, groups, after-school programmes and homeschoolers.
What browsers and platforms does Google Classroom support?
Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, and Safari support Google Classroom app. It is also accessible via the Google Play Store on android mobile handsets and on iOS Apple store.