Friday, February 19, 2021

Google Workspace for Education Updates

In the last 48 hours, Google has announced some amazing new updates to Google Workspace for Education. After reading over their blog post and blog posts of fellow Googley edu-bloggers, here is a summary of some of the updates.

Google Classroom

Have you ever been typing instructions on a Google Classroom assignment and wished you could add bullets or bold/italicize/underline the text? If so, these features are coming very soon. 

This GIF comes from the Google Workspace for Education Blog

We have all probably struggled to see the content on an image of handwritten student work uploaded to Google Classroom. New upgrades to scanning of images will improve the quality of the submissions. Students will be able to use the Google classroom mobile app to scan multiple papers at once and submit as a PDF.

This GIF comes from the Google Workspace for Education Blog

In addition, Google Classroom will be getting tools to better track student engagement, offline support, improvements to grading on the mobile app and better integration with Google Meet, Student Information Systems and third party apps.

Google Meet

Most of the features we love about Zoom will now be available in Google Meet. Breakout Rooms will be scheduled beforehand easily via Google Calendar. You will be able to drag and drop attendees or choose them from a dropdown menu to arrange them into Breakout Rooms. 

This GIF comes from the Google Workspace for Education Blog


You will also be able to mute all students at the click of a button. 

This GIF comes from the Google Workspace for Education Blog


Students will not be allowed to stick around in the main room or breakout rooms when the teacher ends the meeting.

This GIF comes from the Google Workspace for Education Blog

If using Meet via Google Classroom, co-teachers will automatically be co-moderators with all the host controls the teacher has. During Meet video call, host controls will now include abilities to mute all participants at once, lock attendees microphones and remove all attendees. New options for attendees' reactions (raising hand is only option now in free version) have also been added. 



Google Drive

If you have students do a quiz on Google Forms, their progress will be saved automatically. This means they won't lose their progress if they lose connection or need to go to the restroom. They can reopen and continue where they left off. 

One of the coolest parts of Docs, Slides, Sheets, etc. is the ability to view Version History. Soon, this feature will become part of Jamboard. 

Chromebooks

There are some exciting new features for Chromebooks. One of my favorites is the built in screen capture function. In addition to improvements in the ability to take screenshots, you can now record your screen natively. In the past, you needed a screencasting extension to do this. 

This GIF comes from the Google Workspace for Education Blog


Recently, Google Meet added live translated subtitles. This function will now be added to accessibility features for the Chromebook. In addition, a telestrator function will be added to give you the ability to annotate your screen like John Madden during a football game.

It's definitely an exciting time in the world of Google Workspace for Education.. What new features are you most excited about? If you have any questions and would like a follow up, contact me via Gmail or Chat at ajuarez@techcoachjuarez.com. 

My book, The Complete EdTech Coach: An Organic Approach to Digital Learning, co-authored with my wife Katherine Goyette is now available on Amazon. Click here to purchase. It is published by Dave Burgess Publishing. Be sure to follow the hashtag #OrganicEdTech and #CVTechTalk for updates.










4 comments:

  1. I was reading some of your content on this website and I conceive this internet site is really informative ! Keep on putting up. months in spanish in order

    ReplyDelete
  2. As the world stands at an historical juncture, it calls for a universal education system that integrates the three dimensions of sustainability (economic, social and environmental) in all activities, addresses inequalities in all areas, respect and advance human rights, fosters love and peace, and that is based on credible, equitable and sustainable system and safe environment for learning. A good global education is the step - the first step in ensuring that these development goals are achieved. omega symbol

    ReplyDelete
  3. ABSTRACT - Best Preschool in San Leandro the child has always been very important to parents. The Poro and Bondo Secret Societies were institutions where Sierra Leonean children used to undergo training among the Themnes, Kpa Mendes, Sherbros and Konos. These secret societies were very instrumental for the total development of the child. Both secret societies were social and educational institutions which helped to preserve societal norms and values; they served as institutions for higher learning. History reveals that there were no formal schools where children were educated. Parents sent their children to either craftsmen or have them in farms without learning any skills. The introduction of formal education started in the colony after the arrival of ex-slaves in the eighteenth century. This has brought about dramatic changes in the country's educational system.

    ReplyDelete