30 Days of Google Classroom: A Guide for Future Educators
Day 5: Google Classroom Settings & Customization – Personalizing Your Class for Better Engagement
Introduction
Now that your students and co-teachers are added, it’s time to customize your Google Classroom settings for a more engaging and organized learning experience. A well-structured and visually appealing class helps keep students motivated and makes navigation easier.
In this guide, we’ll walk through Google Classroom settings and customization options that enhance the learning experience.
Accessing Google Classroom Settings
To access your class settings:
- Open your Google Classroom.
- Click the gear icon in the upper-right corner.
- Explore the following settings:
- Class details (name, section, subject, room)
- General settings (class code, Stream permissions, guardian summaries)
- Grading preferences (grading categories, calculation methods)
Customizing Your Google Classroom
1. Change the Class Theme and Banner
Visual appeal matters! Customize your Classroom to make it more engaging:
- Click on "Select Theme" to choose from pre-made designs.
- Click "Upload Photo" to add a custom banner (ideal for branding or subject-specific images).
💡 Tip: Keep text in the middle of the image clear, as Google Classroom may overlay the class title.
2. Adjust Stream Settings for Student Interaction
The Stream is where class announcements and discussions take place. Control how students interact:
- Students can post and comment – Best for open discussion and collaboration.
- Students can only comment – Keeps conversations focused while preventing spam.
- Only teachers can post or comment – Ideal for structured, teacher-led communication.
3. Enable Guardian Email Summaries
Keep parents informed by enabling guardian summaries:
- Go to Settings > General and turn on Guardian Summaries.
- Parents receive weekly email updates on missing work, upcoming assignments, and class activity.
4. Set Up Grading Preferences
Decide how you’ll track student progress:
- Grade categories – Organize assignments into sections like Homework, Quizzes, and Projects.
- Grade calculations – Choose between total points or weighted grading.
- Display settings – Allow students to see their overall grade or keep it hidden.
5. Integrate Google Meet for Live Sessions
Want to host live classes? Generate a Google Meet link:
- In Settings > General, toggle on the Meet link.
- Share it with students for virtual lessons and Q&A sessions.
Best Practices for Classroom Customization
✔ Keep visuals simple and relevant – A clear, subject-focused theme works best.
✔ Choose interactive Stream settings – Decide whether students can engage in discussions.
✔ Enable grading categories – This helps students track their progress efficiently.
✔ Encourage parental involvement – Guardian summaries promote accountability.
✔ Use Google Meet for engagement – Video sessions enhance learning and interaction.
What’s Next?
With your settings customized, your class is now more structured and engaging. In Day 6, we’ll explore how to create announcements and discussions to keep students actively involved.
How do you plan to personalize your Google Classroom? Share your ideas in the comments!