What do you think?
Rate this book
50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom
One of the most frequent questions educators Alice Keeler and Libbi Miller hear from teachers “How can I effectively implement digital tools in my classroom when I don’t fully understand them myself?” It can be challenging to add new technology to the classroom. Figuring out the equipment and software and deciding how to integrate technology into existing lesson plans are just a few of the learning curves teachers face. But adding technology to classrooms isn't optional; it’s a must if students are going to be well-equipped for the future. In 50 THINGS YOU CAN DO WITH GOOGLE CLASSROOM, Keeler and Miller shorten the learning curve by providing a thorough overview of the Google Classroom App. Part of Google Apps for Education (GAfE), Google Classroom was specifically designed to help teachers save time by streamlining the process of going digital. Complete with screenshots, 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom provides ideas and step-by-step instruction to help teachers implement this powerful tool. Google Classroom helps • Encourage collaboration between students • Seamlessly use other Google tools, such as Google Docs • Provide timely feedback to keep students engaged in the learning process • Organize assignments and create a paperless classroom Google Classroom makes it easy to facilitate a digital or blended-learning classroom. 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom shows you how to make the most of this valuable, free tool. You’ll learn how • Set up and add students to your Google Classroom • Create a lesson • Share announcements and assignments with multiple classes • Reduce cheating • See who’s really working on team projects • Offer virtual office hours • Personalize the learning experience • And much more!
164 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2015
227 people are currently reading
415 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews
Read
August 14, 2018كتاب لاغنى عنه للمعلم العصري، الشرح بسيط ومرتب ومناسب للأشخاص الي علاقتهم بالتقنية مو في أفضل حالتها.
October 11, 2016
While I have been working with Google Classroom for over a year, I still found great ideas in this book to apply to my work. For someone who is a beginner in the GAfE world, I see this book as incredibly valuable; the practical application and easy-to-read tasks would be a huge draw to anyone learning about this model. I am looking forward to reading more about student-centered approaches in the sequel.
September 9, 2017
I read most before using Google Classroom the first time and now aim to go back after a few days of use to dig a little deeper into the hints here.
August 20, 2015
I read this on my Kindle for free via my Prime membership. I point that out because I would not pay for this book.
There is a lot of talk about Google Classroom. If you haven't used it, you are probably going to have questions about it. Look around, read an article or two, look at the tutorial on Google and you will have as much information that this book provided.
There's no real what a teacher can use Classroom for. It's all about how Classroom has a stream like Facebook, you can send a message to students, etc. It's the barest of all facts about Classroom. All this information is readily available for free.
A teacher who knows little/nothing about Classroom will not feel anymore settled after reading this. Keep plugging away and you will get what you need and save your money.
There is a lot of talk about Google Classroom. If you haven't used it, you are probably going to have questions about it. Look around, read an article or two, look at the tutorial on Google and you will have as much information that this book provided.
There's no real what a teacher can use Classroom for. It's all about how Classroom has a stream like Facebook, you can send a message to students, etc. It's the barest of all facts about Classroom. All this information is readily available for free.
A teacher who knows little/nothing about Classroom will not feel anymore settled after reading this. Keep plugging away and you will get what you need and save your money.
October 4, 2021
موضوع مهم عن التطبيقات الغير مشهورة التي يمكن عملها باستخدام محرك البحث جوجل، لا يعرف الكثيرين من استخدامات جوجل إلا أنه موقع للبحث عن المعلومات وفقط، لكن الموقع له استخدامات كثيرة جدا، منها المراسلة مثلا، وتحميل التطبيقات، وومحتوي يتعامل مع الخرائط، وكذلك تنظيم الوقت بعمل مذكرات وتنبيهات للوقت، كذلك يستخدم في عمل أفلام قصيرة، ومن التطبيقات الهامة لجوجل، استخدامه في مجالات البحث العلمي باستخدام حوجل سكولار، ويمكن استخدامه في عمل فصول افتراضية يلتقي فيها المعلم والتلميذ، ويمكن من خلال الفصول الافتراضية عمل اختبارات الكترونية، وغير هذه التطبيقات الكثير من الاستخدامات المفيدة التي يتحدث عنها الكتاب.
June 14, 2015
I learned 30+ new ways to use Classroom
We've been using Classroom for a semester and this book really streamlined many of the process for me and gave me ideas for modifying and boosting what I already do. I can't wait to read the blog post (links attached at the end of the book) to learn 30 more!
We've been using Classroom for a semester and this book really streamlined many of the process for me and gave me ideas for modifying and boosting what I already do. I can't wait to read the blog post (links attached at the end of the book) to learn 30 more!
July 29, 2017
Alice Keeler is amazing and shares so much in her books and online!
June 30, 2017
Summary
“Today’s technology empowers educators to move away from the traditional classroom where teachers lead, and students work independently- each doing the same thing (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” In 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom: A Student-Centered Approach, educators offer inspiration and resources to help teachers create a digitally rich, engaging, empowering, student-centered environment. In a student-centered, twenty-first-century classroom, students are to learn how to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and create (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016). Educators must change their way of delivering instruction and adapting their teaching towards the learning of their students. At the beginning of the book, Highfill discusses the release of Google Classroom in 2014. “Google Apps for Education caused a shift in the way classrooms across the globe functioned (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” This shift, which we are all still a part of today, is moving to a paperless, digital format. Highfill and Keeler were partners as they worked with fellow educators to question, research, and understand the “why” as they shifted to digital platforms for instruction. Keeler has worked with teachers across the country to share her innovative approach toward using Google in the classroom. “Alice and her co-author Libbi Miller created 50 Things to Do with Google Classroom with the emphasis on the ‘Do’ (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” The “how to” book is organized in number order and breaks down each topic into step-by-step instructions. The purpose of each topic is thoroughly explained and answers the question, “Why do I need this in my classroom? How will this benefit my students?”. The book also offers a ‘Go Further’ section. The ‘Go Further’ section, compiles Google Add-ons that may be helpful, links to templates created by the author, and ideas to incorporate into your classroom seamlessly. “Changing classroom practices takes the courage to try new things with the understanding that they might not work. It requires critical thinking to resolve issues and adapt to new methods. It also demands patience, time, and drive to continue evolving as pedagogy shifts (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom is a jump-start to step out of your comfort zone and try something new in your classroom. This book not only shows teachers “how” to incorporate technology but also explains it's importance. Google Classroom supports twenty-first-century thinking and learning, and the book is full of new ideas that you can incorporate immediately.
Critique
The theme and goal of this book is to encourage and support teachers when creating a student-centered classroom. It encourages educators to embrace student-centered instruction and move away from the traditional classroom structure. A student-centered classroom starts with the teacher. I strongly agree with Keeler, when she states that we must change how and what we think about teaching and learning. Educators must envision the roles of the teacher and the students in student-centered classrooms. We must intend to address individual learning needs, interests, aspirations, backgrounds, and individuals and give our students more responsibility for creating their own learning experiences. Teachers must shift their thinking and become coaches. Now, the teacher is not the primary source of knowledge, but the facilitator and guide. Digital resources, technology, and inquiry are keys toward making this change happen. My vision is very similar to Keeler’s, where students are posed with a challenge or problem and take ownership of their learning and understanding. I encourage my students to embrace the struggle, embrace the challenge, and ask for help from their peers or teacher if needed. Inquiry-based learning paired with digital resources develops critical thinking skills, collaboration, and meaningful learning experiences. As teachers, it is our job to encourage students to access resources and obtain unlimited amounts of details, facts, ideas, and opinions via Google and YouTube. Some teachers are hesitant and worried in regards to the freedom and access our students have to technology. But, it is our job to guide them and teach them how to appropriately use the information they find on the Internet and resources. Teachers express their concerns with how children have access to unfiltered or loosely filtered information at their school sites. This conversation was very valuable to me because I see and understand both sides. But then, I realized that students, especially in my school district, have technology at home with unfiltered access. How can I teach my students what is appropriate and create digital citizens, without letting them experience researching first hand? We must give our students an opportunity. It is our job to model and intervene, to teach our students how to respond. We must model and coach how to research, how to share ideas, collaborate, respectfully communicate, etc. 50 Things to go Further with Google Classroom encourages and offers support to further embrace student-centered instruction by trying something new in our classrooms.
Author’s Qualifications
Lisa Highfill wrote the foreword in 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom. She was a CUE National Conference Spotlight Speaker in 2016 and is the co-creator of HyperDocs. Highfill was a classroom teacher for over twenty years. Currently, Highfill is a TK-12 Instructional Technology Coach for Pleasanton Unified School District and shares ideas to improve the way students experience learning. Highfill met Alice Keeler at the Google Teacher Academy in 2011. She stated, “From that moment, I had a mentor and partner in helping teachers ask themselves ‘why’ as they shifted to digital platforms of instruction (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” Alice Keeler is a Google Certified Teacher along with New Media Consortium K-12 Ambassador, Technology Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, and so much more! She taught high school math for fourteen years and had developed and taught online K-12 courses as well. Keeler has led project teams for Google products like YouTube teachers and Google Play for Education. Keeler is a passionate educator who believes in the importance of connectivity. Libbi R. Miller is the co-author of 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom and serves as Assistant Professor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology at California State University, Fresno. Miller focuses on supporting future teachers to integrate technology and create engaging student-centered classrooms. Miller is very passionate about technology and engages in research that involves investigating educational technology tools. “She believes that when used correctly, technology can become a tool for empowerment and student voice. Technology can move education outside the classroom walls and connect students with learners, professionals, and activists around the world (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).”
References
Keeler, A., Miller, L., & Highfill, L. 50 things to go further with Google classroom.
“Today’s technology empowers educators to move away from the traditional classroom where teachers lead, and students work independently- each doing the same thing (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” In 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom: A Student-Centered Approach, educators offer inspiration and resources to help teachers create a digitally rich, engaging, empowering, student-centered environment. In a student-centered, twenty-first-century classroom, students are to learn how to communicate, collaborate, think critically, and create (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016). Educators must change their way of delivering instruction and adapting their teaching towards the learning of their students. At the beginning of the book, Highfill discusses the release of Google Classroom in 2014. “Google Apps for Education caused a shift in the way classrooms across the globe functioned (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” This shift, which we are all still a part of today, is moving to a paperless, digital format. Highfill and Keeler were partners as they worked with fellow educators to question, research, and understand the “why” as they shifted to digital platforms for instruction. Keeler has worked with teachers across the country to share her innovative approach toward using Google in the classroom. “Alice and her co-author Libbi Miller created 50 Things to Do with Google Classroom with the emphasis on the ‘Do’ (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” The “how to” book is organized in number order and breaks down each topic into step-by-step instructions. The purpose of each topic is thoroughly explained and answers the question, “Why do I need this in my classroom? How will this benefit my students?”. The book also offers a ‘Go Further’ section. The ‘Go Further’ section, compiles Google Add-ons that may be helpful, links to templates created by the author, and ideas to incorporate into your classroom seamlessly. “Changing classroom practices takes the courage to try new things with the understanding that they might not work. It requires critical thinking to resolve issues and adapt to new methods. It also demands patience, time, and drive to continue evolving as pedagogy shifts (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom is a jump-start to step out of your comfort zone and try something new in your classroom. This book not only shows teachers “how” to incorporate technology but also explains it's importance. Google Classroom supports twenty-first-century thinking and learning, and the book is full of new ideas that you can incorporate immediately.
Critique
The theme and goal of this book is to encourage and support teachers when creating a student-centered classroom. It encourages educators to embrace student-centered instruction and move away from the traditional classroom structure. A student-centered classroom starts with the teacher. I strongly agree with Keeler, when she states that we must change how and what we think about teaching and learning. Educators must envision the roles of the teacher and the students in student-centered classrooms. We must intend to address individual learning needs, interests, aspirations, backgrounds, and individuals and give our students more responsibility for creating their own learning experiences. Teachers must shift their thinking and become coaches. Now, the teacher is not the primary source of knowledge, but the facilitator and guide. Digital resources, technology, and inquiry are keys toward making this change happen. My vision is very similar to Keeler’s, where students are posed with a challenge or problem and take ownership of their learning and understanding. I encourage my students to embrace the struggle, embrace the challenge, and ask for help from their peers or teacher if needed. Inquiry-based learning paired with digital resources develops critical thinking skills, collaboration, and meaningful learning experiences. As teachers, it is our job to encourage students to access resources and obtain unlimited amounts of details, facts, ideas, and opinions via Google and YouTube. Some teachers are hesitant and worried in regards to the freedom and access our students have to technology. But, it is our job to guide them and teach them how to appropriately use the information they find on the Internet and resources. Teachers express their concerns with how children have access to unfiltered or loosely filtered information at their school sites. This conversation was very valuable to me because I see and understand both sides. But then, I realized that students, especially in my school district, have technology at home with unfiltered access. How can I teach my students what is appropriate and create digital citizens, without letting them experience researching first hand? We must give our students an opportunity. It is our job to model and intervene, to teach our students how to respond. We must model and coach how to research, how to share ideas, collaborate, respectfully communicate, etc. 50 Things to go Further with Google Classroom encourages and offers support to further embrace student-centered instruction by trying something new in our classrooms.
Author’s Qualifications
Lisa Highfill wrote the foreword in 50 Things to Go Further with Google Classroom. She was a CUE National Conference Spotlight Speaker in 2016 and is the co-creator of HyperDocs. Highfill was a classroom teacher for over twenty years. Currently, Highfill is a TK-12 Instructional Technology Coach for Pleasanton Unified School District and shares ideas to improve the way students experience learning. Highfill met Alice Keeler at the Google Teacher Academy in 2011. She stated, “From that moment, I had a mentor and partner in helping teachers ask themselves ‘why’ as they shifted to digital platforms of instruction (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).” Alice Keeler is a Google Certified Teacher along with New Media Consortium K-12 Ambassador, Technology Trainer, Microsoft Innovative Educator Trainer, and so much more! She taught high school math for fourteen years and had developed and taught online K-12 courses as well. Keeler has led project teams for Google products like YouTube teachers and Google Play for Education. Keeler is a passionate educator who believes in the importance of connectivity. Libbi R. Miller is the co-author of 50 Things You Can Do with Google Classroom and serves as Assistant Professor of Curriculum, Instruction, and Technology at California State University, Fresno. Miller focuses on supporting future teachers to integrate technology and create engaging student-centered classrooms. Miller is very passionate about technology and engages in research that involves investigating educational technology tools. “She believes that when used correctly, technology can become a tool for empowerment and student voice. Technology can move education outside the classroom walls and connect students with learners, professionals, and activists around the world (Keeler, Miller & Highfill, 2016).”
References
Keeler, A., Miller, L., & Highfill, L. 50 things to go further with Google classroom.
Read
March 5, 2022I have been working with Google Classroom for a few years and I was convinced I knew everything there was to know about this platform. I discovered some new information and found a better understanding of certain features Google Classroom provides. Google Classroom can become overwhelming, particularly at the elementary level. We teach several different subjects that we must keep track of. It was certainly streamlined and made it simple to check off items I have mastered or look at the ones I need to understand how to use better and more effectively. The step-by-step instructions, the detailed explanations, the links to websites, and the vivid colors were wonderful. I continue to come back to the book to look up information as needed or if I need a refresher. I only wish I had this book when I first began to use Google Classroom. I believe this book is best for new teachers or someone who is just starting to use and implement Google Classroom. It would be an excellent gift for student teachers or new teachers. If you are an expert at using Google Classroom, this book would not be for you.
March 1, 2018
Book was very easy to read, quite understandable. Learn the ins and outs easily with this amazing book by the Alice Keeler! Step by step process was helpful along with the screenshots, and integrating GSuite into Google Classroom. I can see myself being able to implement most of the ideas and came up with other ways of using Classroom as I read through the book. This book would be very helpful for anyone starting with or thinking of using Google Classroom. It is packed with full of tips, tricks and pictures to get you going in no time! A must read! Each of the 50 things to do include a clear, concise synopsis coupled with a screen-shot type illustration that visualizes the steps needed to execute the work in one’s own class.
As stated in the introduction of the book, “Adding technology to our classrooms isn’t optional; it’s a must if we’re to equip our students for their futures”
As stated in the introduction of the book, “Adding technology to our classrooms isn’t optional; it’s a must if we’re to equip our students for their futures”
July 14, 2018
Another phenomenal read by Alice Keeler. I love that Alice has pictures in her books that help the readers to have a visual as we learn with her. This book is filled with 50 great ideas to help teachers get started with Google Classroom. I wish I had this when I was first beginning in the G Suite world.
May 8, 2017
A nice introduction to Google Classroom and some of the things you can do with it. Great getting started resource, but there were also some things that were new to me and I've been using the program for a year.
May 19, 2017
Some really good ideas in this book. Yes, you can find a lot of them already online but it was really nice to have them all in one convenient place. Plus this is also book I can loan it to the colleagues that I'm trying to get to use Google classroom.
April 20, 2018
Just finished this and it is a great resource for anyone who is looking for more effective ways to use technology in the classroom. Great for beginners. Alice Keeler is also a blogger and a trainer so you can follow her online for more great ideas.
November 11, 2018
50 Things is a helpful manual that my building's social studies PLC Book Study read and discussed while implementing Google Classroom (CR). Whether new to Google's CR platform or a seasoned user, 50 Things provides ideas and suggestions that can be used on-the-spot.
May 3, 2019
The book is well written but is meant for beginners of Google Classroom. If you are trying to understand what you can do with Classroom then this book is for you. I have read several books from the authors and they never disappoint.
June 13, 2017
Great for beginners, but not much new for someone who's already been using it for a year.
June 30, 2017
Un livre possiblement utile pour ceux qui veulent découvrir Google Clasroom. Un enseignant qui utilise déjà cette plateforme n'y apprendra pas grand chose de neuf.
November 13, 2017
Gave me basics of Google Classroom with screen shots, so what I was looking for.
July 18, 2017
Amazing!!
This book has so many great ideas to make using Google apps even easier! I have used many suggestions, but can't wait to expand and use even more this year.
This book has so many great ideas to make using Google apps even easier! I have used many suggestions, but can't wait to expand and use even more this year.
July 26, 2017
Great ideas! Read it after a year of using Classroom.
August 8, 2017
Quick read, a great refresher after not using Google Classroom all summer.
September 21, 2017
Great tool to remind about all the cool things Google Classroom can do.
January 10, 2018
I already knew most of this, but for a newbie this would be a great read.
May 5, 2018
A fair introduction if you have never used Google products before but it’s very introductory and learning to use Google Classroom from a book seems backwards.
March 6, 2019
I’m trying to soak up all the Google Classroom knowledge, but I feel like the deeper in I go the more I realize there is to learn!
April 1, 2022
Good for newbies. Not much help for me
May 3, 2022
Its a good non-tech tech manual for Google in the Classroom. Worth the read for teachers and LMTs.
March 1, 2018
I have been on-board with the philosophy that Keeler and Miller describe in this book for the past few years. I know both personally as a student, and from research that I have studied, that students learn best when they are motivated, engaged, given autonomy, and take ownership. I have used Google Classroom in my classroom for the past three years. It has been a life saver as it has helped me effectively manage my instruction as I strive for the goal of creating a student-centered classroom. I appreciated hearing about Keeler and Miller’s insights and learning from their practical tips. Although, many of the information presented in this novel is basic Google Classroom fundamental skills. I believe this book would be perfect for a teacher who has used Google Classroom before, but is looking for ways to extend their use to something further than a spot to dump digital versions of worksheets. For me, I was hoping that the book would go into more detail on ways that I could use Google Classroom to differentiate and for experiences like Project-Based Learning, Jigsaw, and Digital Breakout. Keeler and Miller’s tips may have been a little too practical for a Google Classroom veteran; however, still meaningful and useful.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 83 reviews