Google built Google Classroom, its free education platform, to help teachers create assignments and simplify the distribution and grading process.
Google Classroom is a free learning platform created by Google with the purpose of making it easier to not only create assignments but also simplifying the distribution and grading.
Google Classroom has grown significantly since its humble beginnings in August 2014. More than 70 million G Suite for Education users were on it by August 2017, and its popularity exploded even further when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. By 2021, it had reached more than 150 million students and educators.
Google Classroom lets you share announcements, host virtual lessons, and even create interactive questions for YouTube videos.
While Google Classroom can be used by anyone, if you are creating a classroom at a school for students you must use Google Workspace for Education.
Here's everything you need to know to get started.
Despite its power, creating a Google classroom is surprisingly straightforward. It can be completed in just 3 steps.
Quick tip: The same screen where you can fill in a class name is also where you can include a section, room number, and class subject.
Once your Google Classroom is created, you now need to add content to it and invite students.
Under the Classwork tab, click Create. In this menu, you have the ability to create an assignment, quiz, question, or add material or topics, which are like section headings.
Google Classroom will then provide two blank fields and prompt you to enter a title and assignment instructions for students. You can create assignments from Google's suite of programs, including Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Sheets, or you can attach links, documents, or YouTube videos to the assignment.
You can also share photos with students using Google Photos.
After you create the assignment, you can set a due date, assign it to specific students or all students, and even post a rubric.
Navigate to the People tab and click on the Invite teachers or Invite students tab as applicable. Then enter their email address(es) and click Invite.
Alternatively, you can have students join your class by using the Class code.
Quick tip: Students can also join a Classroom through an invite link. Click on the three vertical dots to the right of the Class code field and click Copy class invite link.
If you wish to leave or otherwise unenroll from a Google Classroom, that is accomplished in a quick two-step process.
As a teacher, you have the ability to archive a Google Classroom when you no longer need it, for example, when the semester is over.
Quick tip: Classrooms must be archived first prior to deletion. If you want to permanently delete a classroom, archive it and then go to Archived classes, click the three dots, and click Delete and then Delete again in the confirmation window that appears.