Day 3: Navigating the Google Classroom Interface
Introduction
Now that you have set up your first Google Classroom, it’s time to explore the interface and understand how each section works. A well-organized classroom leads to better teaching efficiency and student engagement.
The Four Main Tabs in Google Classroom
Stream Tab – Your classroom’s homepage
Displays announcements, upcoming assignments, and student posts.
Allows teachers and students to interact via comments.
Best used for quick updates and class discussions.
Classwork Tab – The core of your course content
Organizes assignments, quizzes, and course materials.
Allows you to create topics to structure your lessons.
Provides easy access to Google Drive, Calendar, and Meet links.
People Tab – Managing students and co-teachers
Lists all enrolled students and allows manual invitations.
Enables communication with individual students or the whole class.
Lets you add co-teachers to collaborate on course management.
Grades Tab – Tracking student progress
Displays assignment submissions and grading history.
Allows teachers to assign grades and provide feedback.
Helps monitor student performance in one convenient place.
Additional Features to Explore
Settings (Gear Icon): Adjust grading preferences, class details, and notifications.
Google Meet Integration: Start or schedule video calls with students.
Calendar View: See all upcoming deadlines in one place.
Class Code (Top Banner): Easily share with students for quick access.
Best Practices for Navigating Google Classroom
✔ Keep the Stream tab clean – Use Classwork for assignments to avoid clutter. ✔ Use Topics in Classwork – Helps students find materials easily. ✔ Check Grades regularly – Monitor student performance and provide timely feedback. ✔ Encourage interaction – Use Stream for Q&A and discussions to keep students engaged.
What’s Next?
Now that you understand the Google Classroom interface, get ready for Day 4, where we’ll cover adding students and co-teachers to your class effectively!
What part of the Google Classroom interface do you find most useful? Let us know in the comments!