Imrprovements to Google Classroom

Google release some major updates to Classroom during the ISTE convention this year.  Here is a list and description of some of the improvements they made.  

Classroom debuted last year to help teachers and students save time and collaborate with each other, and since then we’ve been working on how to make sure it worked well with other products that educators love and use in their classes.

Starting today, developers can embed the Classroom share button and sign up for the developer preview of the Classroom API. These tools make it easy for developers to seamlessly integrate with Classroom in ways that help teachers and students — like letting teachers create assignments directly from Quizlet, Duolingo, PBS and many other favorites.

We’ve also got other updates to tell you about, including whitelisted domains and notifications in the Classroom mobile app. 

Classroom API

The Classroom API allows admins to provision and manage classes at scale, and lets developers integrate their applications with Classroom. Until the end of July, we’ll be running a developer preview, during which interested admins and developers can sign up for early access. When the preview ends, all Apps for Education domains will be able to use the API, unless the admin has restricted access.

By using the API, admins will be able to provision and populate classes on behalf of their teachers, set up tools to sync their Student Information Systems with Classroom, and get basic visibility into which classes are being taught in their domain. The Classroom API also allows other apps to integrate with Classroom.

A few developers have been helping us test the API, and we’re excited to share a few examples of what they’ve built: 

• The New Visions CloudLab (makers of Doctopus) built rosterSync for Sheets, an add-on integrated with Classroom. Harnessing the power of Google Sheets, admins can sync data from any student information system with Classroom.
• Alma, a hybrid student information and learning management platform, will let schools easily create and sync their class rosters directly to Classroom with just a few clicks. And if an admin adds a student to a class in Alma, that student will get automatically added in the Classroom class. See more in their demo video.
• And if you use Pear Deck, it’s now easy to start an interactive Pear Deck session with any of your Classroom classes. Just click “Invite from Google Classroom,” choose a class and your students will automatically be invited. Pear Deck will always use your current roster of students from Classroom, so you don’t have to keep rosters up to date across apps.

 
In the Admin Console, admins will be able to restrict whether teachers and students in their domain can authorize apps to access their Google Classroom data. And we don’t permit other apps to use Classroom data from the API for any advertising purposes. 

Classroom share button

Today we’re also introducing the Classroom share button, a simple way for developers – or schools – to allow teachers and students to seamlessly assign or turn-in links, videos and images from another webpage or product.

The share button only requires a few lines of JavaScript, and you can customize the button to meet the needs of your website. When teachers and students click the button, they can quickly share to Classroom without having to leave the site they’re on. More than 20 educational content and tool providers have already committed to integrating the Classroom share button, including: 

• PBS
• Quizlet
• American Museum of Natural History
• Discovery Education
• Duolingo
• TIME Edge

To get started or learn more about either the API or integrating the share button, visitdevelopers.google.com/classroom. And let us know what you’re building using the #withclassroom hashtag on Twitter or G+. As always, we’re looking forward to hearing your feedback and making sure that we’re addressing top needs. We’ll use the developer community site Stack Overflow to field technical questions and feedback about the Classroom API. Please use the tag google-classroom.

Other new Classroom and Google Apps for Education features: 

• Whitelisted domains: The ability to whitelist domains will be rolling out over the next few weeks. We shared this with you in March; we’re excited that now you’ll be able to whitelist other Google Apps for Education domains so students, teachers or staff in different domains can effectively work together in Drive and Classroom.
• Mobile Classroom notifications: In the next few weeks, we’ll be adding mobile notifications in our iOS and Android app. Students can immediately see when they’ve got a new assignment or grade, a note from their teacher or a comment from a fellow student.
• Re-use previous posts: If you used Classroom this year and want to reuse your assignments or materials in future classes, we’ve got you covered. In August, we’re planning to roll out the ability for you to reuse assignments and posts from old classes. Stay tuned for more details.
• Easier provisioning of Google Apps accounts for your domain: Creating a large number of Google Apps for Education accounts can be challenging. Last week we introduced a new API to generate available usernames and create Google Apps accounts in your domain: account provisioning for Google Apps. It can be used in a website where users create their own accounts or in a script that creates accounts in bulk.

We hope these additions will make it easy to use Classroom alongside all of your favorite educational tools.

Google Apps Update Alert - Downloaded Formats for Sheets

Publish Google Sheets spreadsheets in five additional formats Posted: 29 Jun 2015 04:10 PM PDT In Google Sheets on the web, if a person wants to make a spreadsheet available for a large audience to see, they can publish the file as a web page. Once that file is published, the person receives a URL that can be sent to whomever they choose or embedded into a website. Today’s launch allows people to publish spreadsheets in five additional formats—as comma-separated values (.csv), tab-separated values (.tsv), a PDF document (.pdf), a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet (.xlsx), or an OpenDocument spreadsheet (.ods). The URL generated, when opened in a browser, will automatically download the spreadsheet in the chosen format (spreadsheets in these additional formats cannot be embedded). Try out this new feature in Google Sheets on the web today. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release More information: Help Center Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Change is Good!

Google has released  new training certifications and requirements for anyone who is interested in getting Google certified.  Each level requires different specifications.

Here is a list of the new levels and requirements by Google for Education:

Certified Educator Level 1

If you are an educator who knows how to use Google tools in the classroom, this certification proves your proficiency.  Individuals who have achieved this certification may publicize their status with their personalized certificate and badge. Always label your status with the achieved level: Google Certified Educator Level 1. This certification is valid for 24 months

Certified Educator Level 2

If you are an educator who is a super user and enthusiast of Google tools in the classroom, this certification proves your expertise.  Individuals who have achieved this certification may publicize their status with their personalized certificate and badge. Always label your status with the achieved level: Google Certified Educator Level 2. This certification is valid for 24 months.

Certified Trainer

If you are an educator or trainer who has a strong history of training other educators to reach their full potential using Google tools, then apply to become a certified trainer.  Individuals who have achieved this certification may publicize their status with their personalized certificate and badge. The certification exams are valid for 18 months and the trainer status must be renewed every 12 months.


Certified Innovator

Designing creative solutions to the world's toughest challenges in education.

A New Tool: Google Expeditions

Imagine visiting places that you would only dreamed of! Well, with a new tool from Google called Google Expeditions, you will be able to visit the places you only imagined!

Google Expeditions is a tool that will allow you to go on virtual field trips all over the world!  You can visit places such as The American Museum of National History, the Planetary Society, the Palace of Versailles, the Great Barrier Reef, and many more.

I was chosen to demo this new product at ISTE.  I will be visiting the Galapagos Islands for 20 minutes.  I am excited about the demo.  I would like to bring this technology to my school so that staff and students can experience the virtual field trips right within their classroom.

Stay tuned for a follow up post on my reflection about Google Expeditions.

Google Apps Update Alert

Google Drive event attachments, 7-day week view and more for the Google Calendar app for iPhone Posted: 23 Jun 2015 12:54 PM PDT In March we announced the Google Calendar app for iPhone, and today we’re adding lots of improvements based on your feedback―with more on the horizon: See more events at a glance with 7-day week view Add Google Drive files to events (for domains with Drive enabled) Drive will check if all event invitees have access to the files and if not, ask you if you'd like to add them Directly email guests or open a map from an event notification Option to show week numbers in Settings You’ll also notice that access to all available views (Schedule, Day, 3 Day, Week) has been moved from the overflow menu into the navigation drawer. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release For more information: Help Center Get the Google Calendar app for iPhone in the App Store Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Event attachment improvements for Google Calendar web and API Posted: 23 Jun 2015 12:33 PM PDT Event attachments allow people using Google Calendar to attach meeting notes, presentations, or any other relevant files from Google Drive to events and make them available for all event attendees. Previously a Calendar Labs feature, event attachments are now fully launching in Google Calendar web by default with today’s rollout. The ‘Add attachment’ link will appear in all Google Calendar events moving forward, except for those domains whose admins have disabled Google Drive. Drive will also start checking if all event invitees have access to attached files―and if not, ask if you'd like to grant them access―saving the hassle of sharing each attached document with every attendee. In addition, developers can now add Drive files to Google Calendar events created through the Calendar API. Release track: Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks For more information: Help Center Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Undo Send for Gmail on the web Posted: 22 Jun 2015 06:40 PM PDT Previously a popular feature in Gmail Labs, and recently added to Inbox by Gmail, today we’re adding 'Undo Send' as a formal setting in Gmail on the web. 'Undo Send' allows people using Gmail to cancel a sent mail if they have second thoughts immediately after sending. The feature is turned off by default for those not currently using the Labs version, and can be enabled from the General tab in Gmail settings. People currently using the Labs version of 'Undo Send' will have the setting turned on by default at launch. Release track: Rapid release, with Scheduled release coming in two weeks For more information: Help Center Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Google Apps Update Alert - Images and Sheets

Insert images into Google Sheets when offline Posted: 16 Jun 2015 08:45 AM PDT We’re making it easier for your employees to work on the go—and without Internet access—in Google Sheets on the web. With this launch, people can now insert images into Sheets even when they’re not online, provided they’re working in Chrome and have turned on offline access. Those images will be synced once the person gets back online. Try it out in Google Sheets today. Release track: Scheduled release and Rapid release More information: Access your files offline Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Google Apps Update Alert - More Chart Options in Sheets

More options for charts, cells, and collaboration in Google Sheets on the web Posted: 15 Jun 2015 11:52 AM PDT When working with spreadsheets, it’s important to take raw figures and turn them into a story. Today’s update to Google Sheets on the web allows people to do just that, offering even more ways to visualize and analyze data. Customized charts, made easier Charts can make even the largest data sets digestible, so we’ve made a few improvements to help people highlight what’s most important. With this launch, people can now: Use data labels to display the exact values of bars and points in charts. Choose different shapes and symbols for data points in both line and scatter charts. Move and resize charts more easily. Data, displayed right Today’s launch also includes new tools for analyzing spreadsheet data. For example, people can: Preview the results of a formula, including any formula errors, instantly as they type. Filter rows and columns by conditions, including “less than,” “greater than,” “text contains,” “date after,” and more. Add calculated fields to pivot tables in order to apply formulas to pivot table data. Use the GETPIVOTDATA function to retrieve data from a pivot table. Collaborate, confidently Collaborating in Sheets can greatly improve the end product, but it’s important to avoid making accidental edits. Currently, people can restrict who can edit an entire worksheet or range of cells using the protected sheets and ranges feature. To reduce the number of unintended changes (e.g. typos) made by people who do have permission to edit, today’s launch includes the ability to warn individuals who attempt to edit certain cells. This will facilitate increased collaboration, as owners won’t need to set complicated permissions in order to allow others to work on the document. Try these updated Google Sheets features on the web today, and start telling better stories with data. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release: Calculated fields in pivot tables GETPIVOTDATA functionality Protected cell warnings Live on Rapid release, with Scheduled release to follow on June 29th: Data labels in charts Custom data point shapes in charts Moving and resizing charts Formula previews Filter by condition More information: Create and edit charts in Sheets Functions and formulas in Sheets Work with data in Sheets Filter your data in Sheets Overview of pivot table reports Protect a range or sheet from being edited Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Gamify your Training!

I am starting to rethink my professional development or training sessions thanks to +Alice Keeler.  Recently, I completed a Gamify Google Search that she has available on her blog, Teacher Tech by Alice Keeler  and I thought it would be a great idea to share this type of training style with staff at +William Davies Middle School.

In her spreadsheet, she has many tasks and each one is tagged by difficulty level.  This is a great way to differentiate the skill to the user.  In addition, each task is labeled with an agenda number, title, description, and a link to refer to for instructions.  

When the task is completed,  it is recommended that an  'X' is entered into the 'Check off' column to receive a badge. This is shown below.  

The Gamify Google Search learning goal is to learn how to search for information in Google Drive.  This included searching techniques using Boolean operators, quotes, filters, and more. +Alice Keeler even created a presentation on Searching in Google Drive.   Here is the template for the spreadsheet with the activities on it.  You can visit her blog about Gamify your PD.   I would highly recommend trying it.  I definitely learned a few tricks!  

Another great resource for Gamify Google Chrome training is from +Bob Petitto. He shared a Google Spreadsheet with me that included a 30 day Google Chrome Challenge.  He recommends that the user complete a task every day and at the end of the challenge, the user will receive a certificate of completion.

I will be adjusting my training sessions to include gamification! 

Google Apps Update Alert - Google Hangouts

Full-view screen sharing for Google Hangouts Posted: 11 Jun 2015 01:14 PM PDT For a richer experience when presenting screen-shared content, today we’re launching full-view screen sharing for Google Hangouts. Moving forward, when people using Hangouts present to meeting participants in ‘Present to everyone’ mode─or another participant pins someone who is screen-sharing─Hangouts participants will see two changes to the user interface: The screen shared content will use as much visible area of the screen as possible. The thumbnail photos of meeting attendees will overlay the content at the bottom of the screen by default. A new button will be added to the control bar at the top to allow participants to hide the thumbnail photos of meeting attendees as desired. Check out the Help Center for more information. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release For more information: Help Center Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Google Resource Symbaloo

Here is a Symbaloo I created for Google Resources!  Some of the bookmarks are considered to be productivity, utilities, and classroom ideas for technology integration.  

I hope you find it helpful!

The Clean Pal - Cleanscreen Technologies

I recently was asked to evaluate a cleaning cloth for mobile devices and tablets.  At first, I wondered how this product could be different from my dollar store cloth?  To much to my surprise, it cleaned my smart phone thoroughly and quickly.

What is different about this product?  It is a microfiber cloth that removes smudges and fingerprints from screens.  Plus, I liked that I had to apply the microfiber adhesive to the plastic card, (which is provided in the packaging). The card allowed me to clean the hard to reach corners and edges of my mobile device. I cleaned my phone with the case on it.  In addition, I like that I am able to carry The Clean Pal in my wallet.  

This product was nicely packaged with simple directions and links to reference the product.  I would recommend The Clean Pal to clean the screens on your mobile devices.  Give it a try!  

Visit www.cleanscreentech.com for more information.

Tech Tip Tuesday: Quick Formatting in Google Docs

A great video from the +The Gooru on quickly copying formatting in Google Docs.  It is a time saving tip that I wanted to share with you!  Thanks to +The Gooru! 

Here is the link to the video:  https://youtu.be/B3EnOgC2898

Google Apps Update Alert - Export Language Option

Export non-Latin text from Google Docs on desktop to Microsoft Word Posted: 08 Jun 2015 01:26 PM PDT Many modern companies have employees, customers, and business partners across the globe, working in a multitude of languages. Many of those languages, including Hindi and Mandarin, are written in non-Latin scripts. Previously, when a document was created in Google Docs and included non-Latin text, it could not be exported to Microsoft Word properly—the non-Latin content would show up illegible. With today’s launch, documents written in the following non-Latin scripts will remain readable when exported from Google Docs on desktop to Microsoft Word: Armenian Bengali Devanagari Ethiopic Gujarati Gurmukhi Kannada Khmer Malayalam Oriya Sinhala Syriac Tamil Telugu Thaana Tibetan The 16 scripts above serve as the writing systems for more than 25 languages, so working with your international counterparts will now be easier and more efficient.  In addition to these new scripts, we will now support several new unicode blocks, including Arrows, Bopomofo, various Hangul jamos and other CJK symbols and radicals, mathematical operators, and more. Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted

Google Apps Update Alert: Google Drive app for iOS

New UI, faster syncing and more with the latest version of the Google Drive app for iOS Posted: 03 Jun 2015 10:26 AM PDT A new version of the Google Drive app for iOS is now available in the App Store. New features include: New material design Faster syncing with Google Drive web Improvements to image viewing and scrolling (people no longer need to tap “Load more”) Swipe gesture to go back Release track: Rapid release and Scheduled release For more information: Help Center Download the latest Google Drive app in the App Store

Google Apps Update Alert - Account Settings

New privacy and security tools for Google accounts Posted: 01 Jun 2015 01:15 PM PDT We recognize that people today are constantly connected, making control over their digital privacy and security even more important. We want to help them better use tools and settings to safeguard their data, protect their privacy, and decide what information is used to make Google services work better for them. With this in mind, we recently launched a single hub where people can manage their Google account data. My Account, which replaces the previous Google Account settings page, features sections dedicated to managing one’s sign-in and security settings, personal info and privacy settings, and account preferences. Below are just some of the things a person can do with My Account: Take the Privacy Checkup and Security Checkup, two simple, step-by-step guides for reviewing and editing one’s personal privacy and security settings. Manage the information that can be used from Search, Maps, YouTube, and other products to enhance one’s experience on Google. Control which apps and sites are connected to one’s account. In addition, starting on June 15th, Google for Work account owners will receive an email when we’re unable to determine if they’ve previously used a particular browser or device with their account. This could happen when someone signs in to a Google for Work account for the first time on a new computer, phone, or browser, when someone uses their browser’s incognito or private browsing mode or clears their cookies, or when someone besides that account owner accesses their account. Individuals will also be able to view a list of recently used devices and recent new sign-ins on their Sign-in & security page and, if something looks suspicious, take action quickly. Check out My Account at myaccount.google.com. Along with My Account, we’ve rolled out a new site at privacy.google.com, where we answer common questions about privacy and security on Google (e.g. “What data does Google collect?” and “What does Google do with the data it collects?”). We also explain how encryption and spam filtering help keep individuals’ data safe and how personal information helps customize an individual’s experience on Google. Explore the new site atprivacy.google.com. Release track: New My Account pages and Privacy and Security Checkups available now for both Rapid release and Scheduled release; Sign-in Alerts coming June 15th for both Rapid release and Scheduled release Note: all launches are applicable to all Google Apps editions unless otherwise noted Launch release calendar Get these product update alerts by email Subscribe to the RSS feed of these updates

Tech Tip Tuesday: Chart Options in Sheets

I recently learned how to capture a chart as an  image using Google Sheets.  There's no need  to use a screen capturing tool, the functionality is built into Sheets.  Here's how you do it:

• First, create a chart in Sheets.
• Next, click on the chart and it will be in edit mode.  
• Then, click on the down arrow at the top right corner of the chart.

• From the drop down menu, select, 'Save Image'

The chart will be downloaded to your device and saved as an image.

In addition, you have many other chart options. You can perform:

• Advanced edit which will allow you to edit the titles, legend, etc.  
• Delete chart will remove it from the spreadsheet. 
• Publish Chart will make it available on the Internet. 
• Copy Chart will copy it to the clipboard and paste it into another document. 
• Move to own sheet will move it to a new sheet. 
• Alt text is accessed by screen readers for people who might have trouble seeing your content.