I began using Google tools in the classroom around 7 years ago. I did this as the tools were collaborative and easy to use. The fact they were built on collaboration was their strongest point for me. Over the years the tools have become more feature packed and easier to access. The post below goes through a whole lot of info on updates to the products and some excellent accessibility features that you may not be aware of.
Supporting families with resources
Google published the Guardian’s Guide to Google Tools series, including Classroom, Chromebooks, Hangouts Meet, G Suite for Education, Privacy & Security & one to come on Accessibility. These guides will live on the Teach from Home site along with a new Parents & Guardian’s page on the Google for Education website.
Wide Open School
Google is working with Common Sense Media to help them launch their resource site, Wide Open School. Meeting the heightened need for helpful, quality education content due to COVID-19, the resource offers a free and open collection of the best online learning experiences and activities for kids. The content is curated by the top, most trusted publishers, non-profits, education and tech companies. Teachers and families alike can find great resources on the site.
The Google classroom video series
Learn how to use Google Classroom in a range of contexts by watching this video series that was created by educators for educators, these are so good as they were created by educators who use the tools in a real context
Accessibility
Accessibility is a core mission at Google. Teams are working hard to help make learning accessible and inclusive for *all* students, inclusive of ability. There are Workspace for Education and Chromebooks, which have built in accessibility features, along with many third party partners, apps and integrations.
Chromebooks come with a wide variety of built-in accessibility features right out of the box. There is a rich set of Accessibility Settings you can access on the Chromebook at any time to help customize the experience for your students. Since settings are synced to each account, Chromebooks are easy to share among students or members of the family. If a student customizes their accessibility settings on one device, then uses the same account to log into another Chromebook device, all of the settings will be synced and readily available for them without requiring extra setup.
Workspace for Education is a set of tools that help students and teachers collaborate in real time and give personalized feedback. It’s also paperless and accessible from anywhere. And many features are built into Workspace , or integrated with the tools. You can turn on live captions in Google Slides and Google Meet, use voice typing in Google Docs, and use screen-readers with Google Classroom and across Workspace products.
https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/177893?hl=en
| Training & Resources |
- Websites
- One pager on accessibility tools
- One pager on Specific Learning Disability resources
- Accessibility flashcards
- Check out the ANZ YouTube webinar playlist on the Google for Education Youtube Channel to find how Google tools can empower learning while getting more time back to focus on your students.
- Blog Alert! Take a look at Google’s latest blogs:
- Check out the Google for Education’s Teacher Center for a free, interactive online platform with a curriculum created by educators for educators.
Teach from Anywhere is a hub of information, tips, resources and tools to help teachers, schools, and families keep teaching during school closures, and beyond. Visit the website for tools and tips to keep students learning.
(note, I am currently working at Google for Education but these are my own views)