Google Classroom Update - Students can Add and Create

Credit given to Alice Keeler on this blog entry.  http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/10/20/google-classroom-add-and-create/

Google Classroom put the Add and Create options back to being separate. When a student clicks on OPEN they have the option to add additional files or to create a blank Google document.

What to Add

After clicking on OPEN students can ADD anything from their Google Drive, a link or attach a file from the computer. Note that students must be the owner of the file in order to attach the document.
 

Students can take screenshots frequently when they are doing digital work and submit the screenshots to show their progress through the activity. Students can click on the paperclip file icon to add the screenshots. Students can hold down the shift key to select multiple screenshots

Attaching screenshots to a Google Classroom assignment.

Group Work

If students are collaborating on a document, only the document owner can add the file from Google Drive to an assignment. The group leader can create a Google Doc in Google Drive and use the ADD button in Google Classroom to add the presentation OR the group leader can click on CREATE in Google Classroom and create a blank Google document right in Classroom. Group members will copy the URL of the collaborative work, click on ADD in Google Classroom and click on the LINK option. While Group members can not attach the actual document from Drive, they can link to the collaborative document.

Do Not Do All The Work

Alternative thought to creating a template for every assignment. Unless a graphic organizer is really necessary it might be good for students to learn to create their own documents and format them in a way that clearly communicates their ideas. Instruct students to click on the OPEN button in Google Classroom and click on CREATE to create a blank Google text document, Google Slides presentation, Google Sheets spreadsheet or a Google Drawing. Even better, have the students determine which tool is the best tool to communicate their ideas.

Send Feedback

The Google Classroom team reads every piece of feedback. Look for the question mark in the bottom left-hand corner of Google Classroom. Choose “Send feedback.” If you like this feature of the create and add buttons being separate make sure you tell the Google Classroom team! Share your other ideas too!

Credit Given To:
Alice Keeler: http://www.alicekeeler.com/teachertech/2015/10/20/google-classroom-add-and-create/