Chromebooks are a popular choice for digital learning programs across the nation. With many benefits, they offer schools an affordable way to equip their students with computers. Running on the Chrome OS, Google also offers a comprehensive cloud-based office package designed for schools, Google Workspace for Education.
What is Google Workspace for Education?
Formerly G Suite for Education, Google Workspace for Education is a set of cloud-based applications to streamline classroom instruction.
Announced in February 2021, Google Workspace for Education includes all the products that 170 million educators and students worldwide rely on including Classroom, Meet, Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Slides, and more.
What’s included in Google Workspace for Education?
Google Workspace for Education includes 13 products for collaboration, productivity, communication, and organization, plus an admin tool.
Collaboration
A consistent challenge in remote or hybrid learning models is enabling collaboration. Without applications that can seamlessly allow collaboration, it risks being lost. Google Workspace for Education includes Docs, Slides, Sheets, Drive, Forms, and Jamboard (interactive white board) to promote working together whether together or apart.
Productivity
With Classroom and Assignments, educators are equipped with simple tools to save time on administrative tasks allowing them to focus more on teaching. It easily connects students with classroom content—syllabi, lectures, notes, teacher feedback, and assignments—essential for student engagement and success.
Communication
Arguably one of the biggest challenges of the past school year has been learning to be together while apart. Easy communication tools overcome this barrier and lay foundation for a solid learning environment. Gmail, Meet, and Chat connect teachers and students together easily,
Organization
Keep and Calendar will keep your staff and student organized and focused with to-do lists, reminders, and a meeting and events scheduler.
Security
The admin tool keeps you in control—safeguarding against digital threats.
Versions of Google Workspace for Education
There are now four versions of Google Workspace for Education, including a free version.
Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals
Formerly G Suite for Education, this is the free version with a new name and features. It still includes all the apps and security tools that were available in G Suite for Education. It also includes data loss prevention, user data settings with Vault, and will hold Meet recordings up to 30 days.
Google Workspace for Education Standard
A new addition that was released in April 2021 is Google Workspace for Education Standard. In addition to Education Fundamentals, this version provides:
Enhanced security and control to make digital learning more secure
Greater visibility through various tools like advanced audit log
Device and app management
Investigation Tool
The Teaching and Learning Upgrade
Available for Fundamentals or Standard versions, this upgrade includes advanced multimedia features and tools that focus on critical thinking and academic integrity. The upgrade affects Meet, Classroom, and Assignments.
Google Workspace for Education Plus
Formerly G Suite Enterprise for Education, this version is the culmination of the other three versions and is the most comprehensive in teaching and learning tools, security, and analytics. It is also the most expensive version. Features include:
Increased storage capacity
Meet live streaming for up to 100,000 in-domain viewers
Integrated approvals for Gmail, Drive, Docs, etc.
Classroom sync with SIS vendors (upcoming late 2021)
Qualifications for Google Workspace for Education
Globally, K-12 schools and higher-education learning institutions are eligible for Google Workspace for Education if they meet certain criteria. Qualifying homeschool co-ops in the U.S. are also eligible.
K-12 and higher-education institutions must be government recognized and formally accredited awarding nationally or internationally approved certifications at the primary, secondary, or tertiary (post-secondary) level.
Why Google Workspace for Education?
Google Workspace for Education offers comprehensive tools for educators to easily manage and streamline their classrooms, sections, and students. It’s a one-stop shop for everything a teacher could need and keeps teachers and students connected whether together or apart.
It’s also ad-free, reliable, and secure. With 24/7 access and one login, it really doesn’t get any easier.
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Google classroom is a comprehensive digital learning management tool. Its capabilities are many: teachers can create classes and assignments; teachers can communicate with guardians and students and vice versa; students can communicate with each other. The list goes on.
A huge benefit of Google Classroom is the stream feature. It’s the social hub of the platform, where both teacher and student can post comments. It also posts updates when assignments are created. As a teacher, how do you manage these comments? As a student, what are you able to post?
The Stream
Google Classroom’s feed is called the stream. Here the teacher and students can post comments or share resources. The stream is also the landing page for each class and assignments are automatically announced on the stream. It’s a great way for teacher and student to engage, and foster community amongst students.
How to Turn Off Comments on Google Classroom
Google Classroom’s default setting allows students to post but teachers can decide if students can post and comment in each class. Managing permissions within Google classroom is easy and can be assigned at both the class and student levels. If posting is enabled, students can only delete their posts or comments (no editing is allowed).
Students can share content or questions via posts, comment on a post, or reply to a comment if this is enabled. Disable this setting in Settings > General > Stream > select option.
You can also mute a student in class. This means they cannot post or comment in the class but can still send private comments to you. There will be no indication to the muted student that they have been muted.
To mute (or unmute) a student: Class > People > Select Student > Actions > Mute and confirm.
To mute (or unmute) a student from their post or comment: From class, point to the post or comment form the student. Click More (snowman menu/vertical three dots) then Mute student name.
How to Post to the Stream
Posting on the stream is easy and the process is the same for both teacher and student. Under the class tile, there is a posting box (Share something with your class…). This is where you type your comment. You can also easily add an attachment, file from Google Drive, video, or link to share a resource.
Students can only post to the stream if this setting is enabled by their teacher.
Teachers also have the option to post updates to all students or individual students.
How to Comment on a Post or Reply to a Comment
On the post, type your comment in the Add Class Comment box. Then click the paper airplane to post. You can also mention a classmate or your teacher by using the plus sign and the person’s name (+name).
To reply to a comment, simply press the left-facing arrow. Then, follow the above steps.
If there is no option to add a class comment, the setting has been disabled.
How to Make a Private Comment on Google Classroom
Students can also communicate directly and privately with their teacher by posting a private comment to an assignment or question.
There are two ways to do this:
From the Stream, click the assignment or question. Then select Add Private Comment. Type your comment and post.
From the Classwork page, navigate to the assignment or question by clicking View Assignment or View Question. Select Add Private Comment. Type your comment and post.
How to Edit Comments on Google Classroom
Students cannot edit posts or comments after they’ve been posted. Be sure to proofread your posts or comments prior to posting. Public comments can be deleted, but teachers can view deleted comments.
How to Edit Private Comments on Google Classroom
Students cannot edit public or private comments on Google Classroom.
However, teachers can. There are two ways to do this—one via desktop and the other via phone app:
Desktop: Click the student’s private comment, but do not open their work. The comments should display like a stream below their work. Right click on the comment and there is an option to edit or delete.
Phone app: Tap comment and the option to edit or delete will appear.
How to Delete Comments on Google Classroom
On the comment you wish to delete, click More (snowman menu/vertical three dots). Select Delete and confirm. Bear in mind that teachers can view deleted comments.
How to Delete Private Comments on Google Classroom
Unfortunately, private comments cannot be deleted by students on Google Classroom. Teachers can delete private comments via desktop or phone app as explained above.
Comment Bank on Google Classroom
For teachers, adding feedback to assignments is easy with the comment bank. It allows teachers to store and access their most popular comments in one place.
There are two ways to add comments to the comment:
Add an existing comment: After the comment is posted, click More (snowman menu/three vertical dots) > Add to comment bank…
Enter a comment directly to the bank: In classroom, open Comment Bank > Add to bank. From here you can add a single comment, multiple comments by pressing enter after each one, or paste in a prepared list of comments.
AGParts Education supports 6,000+ innovative 1:1 school districts in Chromebook parts supply and technology buyback. Contact us today to see how we can help your school.
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