MWISD Tech Tip Wednesday Smore
August 14, 2019
Google Classroom Updates- #56
Welcome Back
If you are new to Mineral Wells ISD, each week on Tuesday I put out a Tech Tip Tuesday Smore. Yes, today is Wednesday though. In these Smores you will find valuable information to help create content that involves instructional technology, tips and tricks on usage in the classroom, and resources that can be helpful.
I know you all will be busy with the first week routines, schedules, syllabus, etc., but scroll down and check out what's in store for Google Classroom.
What Is Google Classroom?
If you're new to Mineral Wells ISD, Google Classroom is our LMS (learning management system) for our school district. If you are using Canvas, please know that we will definitely help and support you with that as well.
What is Google Classroom?
Google Classroom is a free web service in our Google Suite that makes it easy for learners and instructors to connect. It allows for immediate feedback, collaboration, the ability to receive assignments, a place to keep classroom resources, grade assignments, and so much more.
What can teachers do?
- Give out assignments and set due dates
- Schedule assignments for the future
- Push assignments out to just one class or multiple classes without leaving that classroom
- Push out assignments to all students or specific students in that classroom (think group assignments or differentiation)
- Assign topics to assignments for organizational purposes and for backtracking, or when a student is absent.
- Assign the possible amount of points to receive on an assignment
- Attach links, video, or files to an assignment
- Create announcements in the stream tab to one class or multiple classes. Create announcements for one specific student or all students.
- Allow other teachers into your classroom
- Invite guardians into your classroom to receive summaries: missing work, upcoming work, and class activity (announcements, assignments, and questions)
- Add personalized comments to student's work and create a discussion regarding it
- Copy all grades to Google Sheets or download as a CSV file
What can students do?
- Receive immediate response regarding questions about an assignment or announcement
- Respond to a question when teacher uses "ask a question" feature
- Receive feedback on turned in assignments that can facilitate conversation between student and teacher
- Can view grades when teacher returns graded assignment
- View upcoming events and work
- If absent, can review work through classwork tab and topic
Previous created Smores regarding Google Classroom...
- Updates on Google Classroom Gradebook, January 8, 2019 #45
- Copying and Archiving A Google Classroom, December 18, 2018, #44
- Google Updates, September 18, 2018, #34
- Google Classroom, August 2018, #32
Updates on Google Classroom
Topics are an essential part of Google Classroom. Topics can be created when you create an assignment, create a quiz, ask a question, or setup materials. The main idea behind topics is to make it easier for students to locate assignments. If they know what the topic is, it makes it easier to find the assignment by filtering topics.
Topics are folders under the Classwork tab to help organize your assignments, questions, and quizzes. There are several ways on how you can organize them. Think of how you teach your content and that will help you decide how you want to organize. You can organize by unit, assignment type (homework, daily, test), subject area, by week, and any other way you can think of.
The update on Classwork tab is that now when you create a new assignment (or other), you have the option to move assignments by clicking on the three dots (snowman) located on the right side of the assignment and drag to the location of your choice.
Click here to watch a video. <------ Check out a new extension JoyPixels
2. Rubric Scoring In Google Classroom
With the rubric beta, teachers can create and save custom rubrics for assignments in Classroom. Teachers can add criteria, levels, and scoring to the rubrics, and share them with students.
When a teacher adds a rubric to an assignment, students can reference the rubric as they work. After grading, students can see their assignment feedback on the rubric.
At this time, MWISD does not have this beta feature. I did sign us up, so I'm hoping we will receive this new feature no later than December.
3. New Gradebook
Choose A Grading System
You can calculate student's grades with total points or weighted categories.
- Total points calculations- The overall grade is calculated by dividing the total points a student has earned by the total points possible in the class. You can assign grade categories and set default point values for assignments and questions in each category.
- Percentage-based category weighting- The overall grade is calculated by taking the average grade of classwork in each grade category, then calculating the weighted average across categories. For example, if tests are worth 40% of the overall grade and homework is 60%, then a student with an average test score of 80 and an average homework score of 90 has an overall average of 86.
Create Grade Categories
To help organize classwork, you can create grade categories. Grade categories are required with percentage-based category weighting, but can also be used with no overall grade and total points calculations. See information below:
- No overall grade calculation- You assign default point values for assignments and questions.
- Total points calculation- You assign default point values for assignments and questions for an overall grade.
- Percentage- based category weighting- You assign percentages to grade categories for an overall grade.
4. Google Forms Locked Quizzes
***This feature only works on school district managed devices.*** Locked quiz mode will not work if you are using an iPad, Mac, PC, etc. You must be using a managed Chromebook.
To enable locked quiz mode...
- Open or create a Google Form
- Access settings for your form (gear icon in the top right-hand corner)
- Click on the "quizzes" tab
- Click "Turn on locked quiz"
Locked quiz mode prevents students from opening new tabs or accessing unauthorized digital content. However, accessibility features are available during locked quiz mode. Due to the shelf being hidden, you're able to access these accessibility features through shortcuts.
- Dictation: click text field and press Search + d
- High Contrast Mode: ctrl + alt + z
- ChromeVox (text-to-speech): ctrl + alt +z
- Docked magnifier: ctrl + search + d
- Select-to-speak: Press and hold the search key (magnifying glass) and select the text you would like read
5. Google Classroom Quiz Lockdown
You can now create a Google Form straight from Google Classroom. You can also use locked quizzes as well when you create this new Form. When creating a "Quiz Assignment", you will see that a new (and blank) quiz populates and has the option to turn on locked quiz. Once you click on the blank quiz, you're able to create your own questions, or you can pull questions from a previously created quiz.
Did you know, you can copy and reuse your old classroom?
Share To Classroom Extension
Share to Classroom extension is a way to save time and increase productivity. With Share to Classroom, you are able to share a page or a webpage to your students who are in your Google Classroom. You are able to create a post assignment, ask a question, or create an announcement. Not only are you able to push webpages to your students, but your students can push webpages to you.
- Teachers- You will need to download the Share To Classroom extension. You will also need a Google Classroom.
- Students- They will need to download the Share To Classroom extension as well if they are wanting to share with the teacher.
Click on the image below to access Episode 5- Back to School with Dr. Kuhn
Professional Development
- Blended Learning Academy for Teachers is now open for registration. The first two days will be in September and day 3 will take place in December with a coaching session in between. If you would like to attend this Blended Learning Academy, please feel free to access this link: https://ontrac.esc11.net/Session.asp?wksp_num=013736&sess_num=025007. Mineral Wells ISD should be on the Instructional Services and Support Contract. Therefore, this event should be free. Please contact your Administration to confirm.
MWISD Instructional Technology Specialist
As the Instructional Technology Specialist, I will strive to serve the academic and digital needs of our students and provide equitable opportunities to prepare students for our ever-changing global community.
I will strive to assist teachers in appropriately incorporating and implementing technology in their classroom by being available for one-on-one meetings, PLCs, staff meetings, and providing professional development that meets our teacher's technology needs.
Email: jmartin@mwisd.net
Website: https://sites.google.com/mwisd.net/edtech/instructional-technology
Location: 906 Southwest 5th Avenue, Mineral Wells, TX, USA
Phone: (940) 325-6404
Twitter: @janaleemartin