Google Classroom Updates 10-14-14

Google made some updates to Classroom on Tuesday, October 14. Here are the three we can begin using here at LPS right away.

1. Mark assignments as “done”
Not all assignments require students to submit work online — like reading a chapter or conducting an experiment — so Google added the ability for students to simply mark assignments as "done" if there's nothing to turn in. Google also gave the Assignments page a refresh, to make it easier for students to keep track of upcoming work. 

Students can mark assignments as "done" if there isn't anything to turn in

2. Greater teacher controls
Google also gave teachers greater control over their class stream. Teachers can now set permissions for whether or not their class can post or comment in the stream, they can mute individual students from posting or commenting and can even view previously deleted items in the stream. To find this feature, select the STUDENTS tab of your class. Then chose one of the three choices given to you if you click the down triangle.

3. Sort by first or last name
And now teachers can also choose to sort students by first or last name, depending on their needs. Again to find this feature, select the STUDENTS tab of your class. Then chose one of the choices given to you if you click the down triangle next to students.

Here is a short video demonstration of all this: