Please note: we aim to keep this page up-to-date, but please be mindful that Google Classroom is regularly updated so the look of the site and icons may have changed since these guides were published. The processes should mostly remain the same.
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Accessing Google Classroom
> On a laptop/computer:
To login to Google Classroom, pupils need to visit classroom.google.com and log in using the details their teacher has provided for them.
Pupil login information is also available from the school office upon request.
> On an iPad/iPhone or Android device
Google Classrooms is best accessed through the didicated Google Classroom app which is available on the App Store. Look out for this icon:
In addition to the Google Classroom, you will also need to download and install the following Google apps which work together with Classroom:
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joining a class in Google Classroom
> On a laptop/computer:
Pupils will be instructed on how to join their classroom on Google Classroom during their computing lessons in September. Each classroom has a unique code that acts like a passcode to join it. Class codes can be requested from the school office and must not be shared. Teachers can also add pupils to their class.
To join a class, your child must log in to classroom.google.com with their school account and click on the + icon in the corner.
On the new page that appears, they should enter their class code into the box and click the join button, which will turn blue when a correct class code has been entered.
The class will now appear on the page at classroom.google.com. They will not need to enter this code or join this class again.
Pupils should only join classes they belong to, including the music and French classes for their appropriate year group.
> On an iPad/iPhone:
Open the Google Classroom app, log in and then click on the + icon in the corner of the screen. A new screen will pop up asking for a class code. If a correct class code is entered, the Join button will become available to click and confirm.
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finding and completing work on google classroom
> On a laptop/computer:
Pupils will be taught how to find and complete activities (referred to as 'assignments' on Google Classroom) during their computing lessons in September.
To find homework tasks or home learning (remote learning) activities, your child should visit their classroom (e.g. 5F Mars) and then on the Classwork tab at the top of the page.
On the Classwork page will be learning materials (with a bookmark icon) and assignments (with a clipboard icon and a due date). Clicking on these will open up a preview window and the option to view the material or assignment in more detail.
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> On an iPad/iPhone:
Visit the classroom page on the Google Classroom app, then click on the Classwork button at the bottom of the page.
Clicking on an assignment or teaching material will open it up to a new page with the instructions on. To view the attachments or upload files, click on the Your Work area at the bottom of the screen.
The new screen will show attached files and the button that allows you to add attachments (e.g. documents, pictures) to Hand in to the teacher.
When an assignment attachment is opened, some basic editing tools will appear at the top of the screen. To begin editing, click on the pencil icon. For more advanced editing tools, click on the share icon (a square with an arrow pointing out of it). This will open the attachment is the appropriate Google app (e.g. Google Docs).
Documents on Google apps automatically save. To hand the work in, go back to the Google Classroom app and click on Hand in. -
sharing home learning on google classroom
> On a laptop/computer:
Pupils will be taught how to share work with their teacher during their computing lessons in September.
At the moment, pupils can only share home learning with their teacher as part of assignments that their teacher has set. Teachers will usually set assignments that include the file they want them to use attached or set assignments that don't require uploading files at all. When a teacher sets an assignment, pupils will have the option to add or create a file, link, document, presentation, spreadsheet or drawing, before they hand it in.
> On an iPad/iPhone:
To add attachments to an assignment, click on the Your Work area at the bottom of the assignment screen.
The new screen will show attached files and the button that allows you to add attachments (e.g. documents, pictures) to Hand in to the teacher. Click on the + Add attachment button to add files from the iPad to the assignment before handing it in. The Google Classroom app is the easiest way to share photos or videos of offline work, as it has a camera option when you click on + Add attachment. -
Sharing Photos or Videos of offline work
If your child has created something off of the computer that they would like to share with their teacher, you can take a photo or video using the Google Classroom app. A tutorial for how to do this can be found here: https://www.loom.com/share/4431357bf52f49529b03d5168ac46687
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asking for help on google classroom
> On a laptop/computer:
Pupils will be shown how to ask their teacher for help in Google Classroom during their computing lessons in September.
Google Classroom has a private comment feature for each assignment which allows pupils to ask their teacher a private question about the activity. Pupils should only use the private comment feature if they are unable to ask their teacher in person at school (i.e. if they are learning from home/isolating).
The private comment box is on the right-hand side of assignment pages only and not included on material pages.
> On an iPad/iPhone:
On the same page where you can add an attachment is an box which says Add private comment. This is where you can write a message to the teacher about the assignment. Clicking on the paper aeroplane icon sends the message.
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sending messages on google classroom
Pupils can message their teacher using the private comment box in each lesson. They cannot contact their classmates at this time as Gmail is turned off for all pupils. Gmail may be introduced later if it is deemed necessary to support learning. When it does become available, pupils will be limited to only messaging members of the classrooms they are part of.
Parents of pupils working from home who need to contact their teacher should do so via the school office.
If a pupil tries to access Gmail, they will receive the following error message:
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changing profile pictures or passwords
Pupils are not able to change their profile picture on Google Classroom. By default, it will show their first initial.
Pupils are currently unable to change their password. They will be given a password by their teacher that is kept on record so that a reminder can be requested from the school office if it is forgotten. Passwords can be changed on request.
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creating different user profiles within the browser (for families with more than one child)
We already enforce safer controls as part of your child's school Google account. However, you can create individual profiles for each user in the Chrome Browser and apply further limited controls to their account. Further information about creating individual profiles can be found here.
Further information about generic internet safety and parental controls can also be found at:
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/parental-controls/
Google Classroom Help Guides
Google Classroom is our online learning platform for pupils in Year 4, 5 and 6. It is used by teachers to set homework and share home learning resources in classrooms that pupils are members of. It is password protected and is only accessible to teachers and pupils.
Read more about how we have set up Google Classrooms to be safe for our pupils and how Google collects and stores information here.
ARE YOU BEING ASKED FOR A JOINING CODE FOR GOOGLE CLASSROOM?
If you are being asked for a joining code for Google Classroom, you are probably still logged into another Google account somewhere. Please watch this video to see how to create separate Google Chrome profiles.