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Does your Google Classroom have a Classwork Tab?

Does your Google Classroom have a Classwork Tab?

If it doesn't, significant changes are coming on September 4th!  Below is part of the official Google announcement:

The previous version of Classroom (without the Classwork page) is deprecated and will be discontinued on September 4, 2019. This means that new classes will be created using the version of Classroom that includes the Classwork page—instructors will no longer have the option to revert to the version without Classwork. In addition, all classes still using the previous version will be automatically converted to the version of Classroom that includes the Classwork page on September 4.
Click here to read more detailed information on this change.

What can you do? 

If you want to, you can add the Classwork tab yourself.  Follow these directions from the Google Help Center to add the Classwork tab. 

Otherwise, as of September 4th, your Google Classroom will contain a Classwork tab.  Note that course materials posted in the Class Settings area will not be retained.  You will need to add those support items to the Classwork Tab as a Material. 

How does this impact how I use Google Classroom?

The Classwork Tab

The Classwork Tab becomes your primary workspace.  You will post assignments, questions, and course materials here.  


The Assignment, Question, and Reuse Post options should feel familiar, and they function the same way.  You can access posts from your previous Google Classrooms using the Reuse post option.

The Quiz assignment, Material, and Topic options are new to you.  Here is how you might use them:

Topics:  

This new feature is beneficial to visually organize your assignments.  (I love this new feature for helping students with executive function issues!)  You create a topic based on a unit, type of assignment, or other organizational option that makes sense to you.
Courtesy of ShakeUpLearning.com

If you want more information for ways to use Topics to organize your Google Classroom, check out these two blog posts for ideas:


Materials:

You now add Course resource materials as a material to your Google Classroom.  Most teachers create a topic called Class Resources and post the articles there.  You control where the topics and assignments appear in your Google Classroom, so most teachers keep the current Topic at the top, and the Materials topic just below.   The image below depicts an assignment (Add your updated lessons/unit) with Course Materials (Presentations/Resources) below.  


Quiz Assignment:

The Quiz Assignment option allows you to create a Google Form without leaving Google Classroom.  The Google Form is stored in the Classroom folder in the specific class folder.  I didn't like this option, because the Form is stored in a different place than most of my other materials.  Of course, you can always move it, or you may love it!

The Stream:

The Stream is only used to make an announcement to your students - remember to bring materials for tomorrow, etc.  Note that every time you post an assignment, Google Classroom automatically posts an announcement to the Stream, and sends an email to your students.  

Overall, I think the Classwork tab offers better visual control over your students' assignments, making it easier for them (and you!) to navigate throughout the year. 
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