Common Google Classroom Mistakes and How to Fix Them?

Here are some common mistakes made in Google Classroom and how to fix them

How do I rearrange topics in Google Classroom?

Mistake: Assignments are listed in a random order or under the wrong sections, making it hard for students to find work.

Fix: Use topics to organize your assignments and materials. Go to the “Classwork” tab, click “Create,” and choose “Topic.” Organize each assignment under its relevant topic for clarity.

Why are due dates important?

They make you clearly define your goals

This basically forces you to thoroughly consider all the steps that you need to take to complete the task and how long it takes you to complete them. Having gone through this thought process, you are likely to have a clearer view of your goals and what it takes to achieve them.

Mistake: Forgetting to set due dates can result in confusion for students and lead to late submissions.

Fix: Always set due dates for assignments by clicking on the due date section when creating or editing an assignment. This helps students manage their time and stay on track.

How do I stop being overwhelmed with notifications?

Sometimes, the best way to cope with the stress of electronic notifications is to disconnect from them completely. Try to spend some time every day without any digital devices or screens. You can use this time to meditate, read, exercise, or do something else that relaxes you and makes you happy

Mistake: Sending too many notifications for minor updates, causing students to ignore important messages.

Fix: Be mindful of when and how often you send announcements or updates. Use the stream for important communication and refrain from posting too frequently unless necessary.

Misunderstanding Assignment Types (Quiz, Question, Material)

Mistake: Using the wrong type of post for your needs (e.g., using “Material” when you want students to submit work).
Fix: Familiarize yourself with the different post types

Assignment: For submitting work.
Quiz Assignment: Automatically adds a Google Form for quizzes.
Question: For quick polls or discussion questions.
Material: For resources and readings (no submission needed).

5. Why should you repurpose content?

… your content are that it helps your message stick, makes your brand more memorable, and allows you to reach a broader audience with a variety of preferences

Mistake: Manually recreating assignments or materials for different classes, leading to repetitive work.

Fix: Use the "Reuse Post" feature to copy assignments from other classes or previous years. This saves time and ensures consistency across classes.

Forgetting to Grade or Return Assignments

Mistake: Failing to return graded assignments means students don’t receive feedback.

Fix: After grading, make sure to click “Return” to send students their grades and feedback. You can return multiple assignments at once.

7. Why not to use rubrics?

Often rubrics give students too much information, overwhelming them instead of empowering them. Rubrics also create teacher dependence by teaching my students that there is only one way to be a good writer, and that I know what it is; as such, they encourage students not to think for themselves.

Mistake: Not providing clear grading criteria can make it difficult for students to understand how they are being evaluated.

Fix: Create a rubric for each assignment to clearly define expectations. This can be added when creating an assignment by selecting “Rubric.”

What does archiving a class do?

Archiving a class is a 'soft delete' that removes the class from the Class Management list in the Admin Portal.

Mistake: Leaving old classes open can clutter your interface and confuse students.
Fix: At the end of the school year or semester, archive old classes to remove them from the active view. This can be done in the “Classes” menu by selecting “Archive.”

How do you deal with unclear instructions?

Effective strategies for handling unclear instructions from your manager: Ask clarifying questions: Request more details to fully understand the task. Restate the instructions: Repeat the task in your own words for confirmation. Prioritize key points: Identify the most important aspects of the task.

Mistake: Posting assignments without detailed instructions can lead to confusion.

Fix: Provide clear, step-by-step instructions when assigning work. You can even add video or screenshot tutorials to clarify complex tasks.

Not Using the Google Calendar or Class Drive Folder

Mistake: Forgetting to integrate Google Calendar and Class Drive can make it harder for students to manage their assignments and resources.

Fix: Regularly remind students to use the integrated Google Calendar and Class Drive folder, where they can see upcoming due dates and access class materials.

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