Google Classroom for better Integration

In recent years, most schools have improved their technology in order to provide their students with more resources to study from. In a previous post, it was mentioned that schools began incorporating Google Nexus tablets and Chromebooks into the classrooms. Buying Android devices and Chrome OS computers are the initial steps to providing students with a better technological experience in the classroom. How can we integrate these new electronic devices better in a classroom environment? Also, if a school has 2,000 students, should every student receive a personal device? The trending Google Classroom is where schools can find perfect integration at a low cost.

Google Classroom solves many financial issues schools encounter when attempting to integrate technology into the classroom. Instead of providing a personal device for every student, schools can now encourage “bringing your own device” with the aid of Google Classroom. This is possible because Google Classroom is supported across a wide variety of platforms. From Chromebooks to iPhones to Androids, all a student needs is a web browser with internet access. Schools can now buy a limited number of devices for students who cannot afford their own.

So why should a school choose Google Classroom besides being able to keep costs low?

A school should choose Google Classroom because of its fabulous integration between teachers and students. Google Classroom utilizes key Google products such as Docs, Sheets, Slides, Drive and Calendar. Within these products, students can communicate with their peers or the teacher while working on an assignment simultaneously. The teacher also has the ability to assign work outside of class, provide critique such as the classic red pen on paper, and issue grades. All of these features are available to mobile and desktop devices. My favorite Google Classroom feature is named the push notifications on my phone, I receive a notification when a new assignment is posted. This feature really helps students like me keep track of when assignments are due.

Classroom organizes all assignments teachers post within a week into a calendar.

Above is an example of a returned assignment with teacher corrections. Another great feature of Classroom is when a student can make corrections and then  resubmit the assignment to the teacher for a new grade.

Google Classroom can be described as an organizer, a student teacher communicator or even a virtual CLASSROOM! It is cost effective and integrates very well in an academic environment. Instead of having to physically return assignments, students and teachers now have the ability to interact from their homes. Having electronic devices in a classroom is important, but the method in which they are integrated is key to educational success.