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Google Classroom does a great job of managing Google Docs you want to use with your students.  It creates templates & copies for you (as needed), it creates collaborative docs.  It allows you to have them tied to assignments so they can be "turned in" to you, and you can even return them to be edited and resubmitted.  So much better than how we used to do it using just Google Drive! One of the struggles early on with Classroom has been the information about files/assignments turned in by students.  Were the late?  If they edited them, what edits did they make? What work have they done and what is still not turned in? This has gotten a huge boost in some of the newest updates.  Here are some features you probably want to know about: View work for 1 student : if you click on a student's name in the class student list, you can see all their assignments and grades.  You can also see if an assignment was done late.  (You can click on the assignment here if you wa

Occasionally students make a poor choice in the comments they post in a Google Classroom class.  While you can easily delete the comments, you can also mute a student for a period of time to prevent them from doing it. There are 2 ways to do this.  Method 1 - from the class stream (single student) Click on the "more options" on the right of the student's comment: Select to Mute them.  The following window will appear, to let you know what this does. Also, you have the option to delete the comment you used at the same time you mute them:  Method 2 - from the class student list (single student or multiple students) Check the box next to the student(s) name(s) (1).  Click on the Actions dropdown (2); select to Mute Again you get the following window to tell you what muting a student does (note: you do not have an option to delete the comment here since you were not initiating it from a comment): A red icon will appear next to the students name in the list

By far the quickest and easiest way to enroll students into your Google Classroom Class is through self-enrollment with the Class Code.  There are several options you have with the Class Code that are hidden in a drop-down you should be aware of. 1. Display : display the class code for projection so your students can easily see it.  You can even click the icon to have it go full screen: 2. Copy: copies the class code unto the computer clipboard. 3. Reset: will reset the code to a new one if needed.  (Note: after disabling your class code, if you Enable the class code back on it will automatically provide a new code.) 4.  Disable : disables the use of the class code. So, for instance, if all your students are enrolled and you don't want the code shared out so "others" lurk in your class.

Open Educational Resources  Michigan has become a #GoOpen state, yet many people do not know what Open Educational Resources (OERs) are or why they are of value to K-12 education. Come learn about OERs and how they can be used in your district. Purposes of the day’s activities - Understand what OERs are, and are not See relationship between OERs and current district policies Know what it means to be a #GoOpen district This session is appropriate for superintendents, principals, teacher leaders, curriculum & technology personnel.  Date : October 9, 2017 Time : 8:30 - 12:00 (lunch provided) Where : Calhoun ISD (Marshall) Cost : FREE to REMC 12E educators       $10 for those outside REMC 12E Link to the day’s agenda Please register here .

One of the best new(er) features of Google Classroom is the ability to share a student's work/assignments with guardians/parents.  A couple things to understand about guardian accounts: Guardian accounts are tied to the student accounts - so if one teacher adds the guardian, it is automatically available to other teachers that turn on this feature in their class Guardians cannot actually see inside the class - this would violate FERPA.  They get a summary email with information only about their own student. In order to turn this feature on within your Class, you need to click on the Students tab at the top.  You will then see the option on the left side of the screen - there is a toggle button to slide in order to enable this feature: When you toggle it, you will see the following screen which gives you the option to turn it on in just this class or in all your classes: One you add the guardian access to the class, your students will be listed with the option to invite

Are you looking to implement some digital literacy into your curriculum?  If you teach middle and/or high school students, you may want to check out the Applied Digital Skills site (formerly or part of CS First).  They have free curriculum lessons for teachers focused on a variety of different skills. Some examples:

From our Discovery Education Rep - Engage students like never before. Discovery Education has provided a curated list of updates below, which includes links to relevant resources and virtual events available within our current DE Streaming service.   Timely Content:    The Science of Opioid Addiction - Curriculum Resources -  A ligned to national health and science standards, these resources introduce students to the science behind opioids and their impact on the brain and body. Phelps Vs. Shark: The Battle for Ocean Supremacy - Explore the science behind this epic showdown between the greatest swimmer of all time, and the great white shark. This Shark Week program is now available in Streaming Plus, along with expertly crafted lesson plans! New Discovery Educator Network Online Community - The DEN Online Community provides educators with more ways to learn from each other, all in one location, easily accessible through the navigation bar in Discovery

From the August 10 edition of the Google for Education newsletter : Earth as seen from the Cupola Observation Module Take a tour inside the International Space Station For 16 years, astronauts have been working and living on the International Space Station (ISS), a structure made up of 15 connected modules that floats 250 miles above Earth. On his last mission,  Thomas Pesquet , an astronaut at the European Space Agency (ESA), captured  Street View imagery  in zero gravity to show what the ISS looks like from the inside, and shares what it’s like to look down on Earth from outer space. Students can journey to the station via  Google Expeditions ,  Maps , and  Google Earth Voyager , and even go  behind the scenes , floating right alongside the astronauts.

FREE Event for Michigan teachers - (From REMC & Tierney - ) ExploreEDU is an interactive, discovery-based event designed to teach those new to Google about the transformative power of technology in the classroom Location: Holt High School (North Campus Building) 5780 W. Holt Rd Holt, MI 48842 Register: September 26,  2017, 8:00am - 2:30pm | Reserve Your Seat Tierney Event Contact: Ryan Semans, RyanSemans@tierneybrothers.com Onsite Parking Available Hosted by Holt High School and Tierney Brothers, ExploreEDU is an event designed to introduce school technology directors and administrators to Google solutions. If you’re interested in discovering how technology can make a difference in your students’ lives or would like to imagine the classroom of the future, please join us. You’ll learn about new products and tools, engage in dialogue with peers and embark on a journey of educational insight and adventure.