This Week’s Topic in Focus: Google Classroom
Each month our Digital Learning Team will deep dive into a specific feature or tool in Google. Since our district is a Schoology district, we decided to show how a marriage between Schoology and Google Classroom can make you the most efficient teacher ever!
One of the biggest complaints that we hear from our teachers is that using Google tools for assignments can be an organizational and logistical nightmare. Setting up permissions, having material shared back, or managing copies of Google Docs has led to a quagmire of a Google Drive. Google Classroom takes away that angst and makes creating and sharing assignments a breeze!
What is Schoology?:
Schoology is a robust Learning Management System with a full arsenal of tools and capabilities that allow for complete digital classroom integration.
What is Google Classroom?:
Google Classroom is also billed as a Learning Management System. It is not as robust as Schoology, but it is an amazing resource management tool that makes digital sharing and Google Drive integration a breeze!
Schoology vs Google - The Fundamental Differences:
We have created a line-by-line analysis of the features of both Schoology and Google. Take a look! Click on the link for the full table. |
Schoology vs. Google |
As you can see, each system has its own drawbacks and benefits. Each one used in isolation would give a fine learning experience, but if you were to use them in conjunction with one another you will become unstoppable!. The Google Classroom features that allow you to share resources, streamline your workflow, and organize materials for students along with the assessment features and special tools in Schoology that create a complete digital classroom make for a rich and manageable online learning environment.
Why You Should Use the Tools Together:
Schoology allows you to create a data-rich environment for your class. With Schoology, you can create a blended learning environment by using the tools at your disposal. In addition to the ability to create assignments and assessments that are linked to content standards and mastery objectives, you also have access to features that allow your students to work in groups and at their own pace. Your Schoology course also becomes a complete digital classroom for students and parents to access your teaching materials. There are tools that allow you to create multi-media assignments and activities. Schoology also acts as an excellent communication tool at a classroom, building and district level. Google Classroom allows you to create assignments for each student that will show up right in their Google Drive. There is no need to “Share” materials with each individual student because Google Classroom does the work for you. It also allows students to turn-in materials to Classroom directly, eliminating the 100’s of “Shared with You” emails. Students all receive their own personal copy of an assignment, so you never have to worry about forcing copies. Because students are working within the Google Classroom folder, you also have to ability to monitor their work, view their revision history and collaborate with them on an assignment. In addition, Google Classroom has several extensions, apps, add ons, etc. that provide ways to share resources and streamline the real-time classroom workflow process. When you use the two platforms together, you can create the assignment in Google Classroom, post the link directly through the assignment feature in Schoology, and voila, you are able to have your students working seamlessly in both places.
- Go to classroom.google.com and create a Google Classroom.
- Use the “plus button” and select “Create Assignment” in Google Classroom.
- Name the assignment and provide instructions for the students.
- Attach your Google Doc using the Google Drive icon.
- Once the Google Doc has been uploaded, decide how you want students to interact with your document by clicking the down arrow to the right of the file. (Make a copy for each student)
- Click the blue “Assign” button.
- Create an assignment in Schoology
- Post link to Google Classroom stream page in Schoology assignment.
How To Create a Blessed Union of Souls - Student Steps:
- Go to Google Classroom
- Find "Assignment" (as you have named it)
- Click Open
- Click on the Hyperlink to access the Google Doc (notice the naming convention)
- Complete all of the tasks requested of you in the Google Doc
Turning Into Schoology:
- Use the assignment submission tool and Google Drive App to submit this assignment in Schoology.
Turning Into Google Classroom:
- Click the “Turn In” button when you are ready to submit in Google Classroom
- Google Classroom will provide a second prompt screen to verify that you do in fact want to turn in the assignment. Click the “TURN IN” button again.
Features in Google Classroom that we love!:
- Assign materials to the whole class or individual students
- Assign videos or embed videos into assignments
- Use the 'Share to Classroom" tool to grab web content to share directly with students.
- Use Google Cast for Education to allow students to share their screen with you in real-time.
FHSD educators: Contact your building’s Digital Learning Specialist for assistance and coaching.
All educators: Feel free to use the comment feature to share how you are currently using Google Classroom and/or Schoology.Contributed by Kyle Mack
