GOOGLE CLASSROOM
Description
Google Classroom is one of the Google for Education products, that includes Drive, Docs, Gmail etc. It is a learning management system that allows teachers to digitally create and manage assignments as well as to provide feedback to their students. Google Classroom is beneficial for both novice and advanced users of Google Apps for Education. It is has a simple, easy-to-navigate interface that appeals to many teachers. The teacher can share contents and upload assignments, which can be handled in by students and then corrected and evaluated. Finally, through Google Classroom, teachers and students can manage their Google Calendar in order to plan activities and, using Drive and Docs, students can easily work on group projects.
Key functionality
- Compatibility: Accessible through computers & mobile devices.
- User accounts: Users need to sign up with their Gmail account to be able to use Google Classroom.
- Create a class: Once the teacher has signed in, he/she can create a class and invite his/her students to join it through their Google Contact.
- Post privacy options: All the contents shared on the platform are visible only to the class members.
- Assignments: Assignments are stored and graded on Google’s suite of productivity applications. Files are hosted in the student’s Drive and then submitted to the teacher for grading.
- Grading: Google Classroom allows for different grading scales. Teachers have the option to monitor the progress of each student on the assignment where they can make comments and edit. Turned in assignments can be graded by the teacher and returned with comments to allow the student to revise the assignment and turn back in.
- Communication: Announcements from the teacher can be posted on the class stream. Students may be given the option to comment them and to post their own announcements. Contents such as YouTube videos and Google Drive files can also be attached to comments. Moreover, Gmail gives the teacher the possibility to interact with one or more students though emails.
Who uses the tool
Users:
Google Classroom can be a support for all students in vocational training and for their teachers as well.
Pedagogical purposes:
- This tool facilitates collaboration between students and their teachers. In fact, Google Classroom allows students to work in teams on different assignments and projects.
- Communication can also be improved. Firstly, feedbacks are quite immediate and can give guidance to students about how to progress and improve their work; secondly, both teachers and students can use the platform to share informative material and educational resources.
- It makes it easier for teachers to keep a record on students’ work, since all the assignments are saved and stored in folders that can be consulted quickly.
Platforms
Privacy & User data
The app collects the following types of information from all users:
- Information users provide directly to Google Classroom;
- Device information, such as the hardware model, operating system version, unique device identifiers, and mobile network information including phone number of the user;
- Log information, including details of how a user used the service, device event information, and the user’s Internet protocol (IP) address;
- Location information, as determined by various technologies including IP address, GPS, and other sensors;
- Unique application numbers, such as application version number;
- Cookies or similar technologies.
The app uses this information to:
- Provide, maintain, protect and improve services;
- Develop new ones;
- Protect Google and its users;
- Offer users tailored content, such as more relevant search results. Google can combine personal information from one service with information, including personal information, from other Google services.
Terms and conditions of use can be found on these pages:
Terms and conditions: https://gsuite.google.com/intl/en/terms/education_terms.html
Privacy policy: https://gsuite.google.com/terms/education_privacy.html
Using the tool for PROMOVET
Advantages
- Effective communication and sharing of documents thanks to the possibility to store every document on Google Drive folders.
- Assignments can be given to students and handled in a couple of second. The teacher can also easily check who is still working on assignments.
- Teachers can provide effective feedback and use URLs to generate debates among the class.
- G suit for Education does not show any advertisements in its interface for students, faculty, and teachers, and user data is not scanned or used for advertising purposes.
Disadvantages
- Updates are not automatic, continuous refresh is needed.
- Once the teacher allows students to work on an assignment, they can modify it in any part, thus there is a risk that they may change or delete important parts.
- Google text processor functionalities are quite limited; however it should be enough for the students’ required work.
