Why I Love Google Classroom

Google Classroom is my new favorite tool, specifically because we are now 1:1 Chromebooks 4-12.

Here are some of the reasons I love it!

1. Organization

Google Classroom keeps me organized.  I'm able to post assignments and announcements to my students when I think of them, rather than relying on myself to remember when I see them again.  Gone are the days when I had a massive pile of sticky notes all over my desk.  Now with two quick clicks I make sure we all stay on top of things.  

For my students, the list of upcoming assignments helps them stay on track.  I'd love to see more of an assignment-book function built into Classroom in the future.  

2. Feedback

I've always believed that feedback is necessary for students to grow, and now it is even easier to provide timely feedback.  When students begin an assignment, I can see their progress.  I can comment on their introduction or their title before they have turned in their paper.  

I use two different methods of student feedback.  I comment in their drafts using the Ctrl+Alt+M function, which I find to be lightning fast compared to writing by hand.  I also make use of the feedback feature IN Classroom.  

3. Link Sharing

I can't tell you how many times I ask kids to go to a certain website, and no matter what, there are a few kids that can't seem to type in the url correctly.  I love Google's Url Shortener, but sending out the link as an announcement or assignment is even easier (Sometimes students still type in the shortened url incorrectly).  Google Classroom is worth it just for this!

4. Students can't lose handouts

In the About section on Google Classroom, I can add a Google presentation filled with notes.  In the stream, I can add a copy of project guidelines, and kids CAN'T LOSE THEM!  I used to use a shared class folder, but students still managed to delete files out of it.  Not so anymore!  

Here's what I'd like to see added:

1. A way to archive classes. 

I'd like to be able to keep a record of everything I post, but not have to keep it on the stream.  It is only September, and my stream is really long, which can confuse students, yet I don't want to delete anything so I can remember the cool things I did for next year.  

2. A link-up with Powerschool

I'm dreaming here, as I can't imagine this would happen for free, but I'd love to be able to enter grades in Classroom and have them update in Powerschool like you can with Schoology.  

3. A place on Classroom that lists assignments I haven't graded. 

Just, you know, in case!

Walking the Walk

Teachers of writing must write.  This is a tenet I've believed in for years, something I've scribbled down as a basic belief and encouraged other teachers to pursue.

I write.  Sometimes.  I write when my students do, when the daily writing prompt appeals to my creative sensibilities.  I write when I need to model a strategy.  I write a lot of feedback.  Still, as someone who believes writing teachers need to write, I haven't done much real-world writing - writing for me  and not specifically for my students in awhile.

It's time to begin again.

This blog is my attempt to communicate my life as a teacher of English, a technology-lover, a YA reader, and a life-long learner.  My journey may not be that much different from other teachers, but it is my journey.

Why Seeking Teachable Moments?  The idea of teachable moments is usually used in education as a place where teachers stop their planned lesson to deal with something students need to know in the moment.  I'm in that moment now.  I hope to seek out moments to share that can teach us something about education, about learning, about becoming our best selves.

Here we go!