Google Classroom Celebrates Its 10th Birthday
Today, Google Classroom is a powerful tool in K–12 schools around the world. It recently marked 10 years since its initial release, hitting the scene the same year Taylor Swift released her album 1989, Lebron James first returned to the Cleveland Cavaliers and ALS Ice Bucket Challenge videos took over social media.
The brand took to social media to celebrate this milestone, highlighting the features of Google Classroom as ingredients in a birthday cake.
Ready to bake up a delicious learning experience? 🎂 We’re celebrating #GoogleClassroom’s 10th birthday and we want to hear what secret ingredients you use to create the perfect learning environment 🤫 Let us know in the comments! https://t.co/MybHMBbns8 #ShotOnPixel pic.twitter.com/UUwhDnzZsM
— Google for Education (@GoogleForEdu) August 28, 2024
Since its inception, the tool’s capabilities have only grown. Google has even incorporated emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, into the mix. These continued innovations have attracted educators and IT administrators, many of whom now rely on the technology as a crucial component for teaching.
We rounded up a few Google Classroom stories, tips and anecdotes from K–12 users that highlight the many ways the ed tech community finds value in this tool.
Students and Educators Find Creative Uses for Google Classroom
There are the expected, educational uses of Google Classroom, and then there’s the way Jacqueline Gardner’s middle school science students used Google Classroom. Gardner, a teacher in the San Jacinto Unified School District, said that her students took advantage of the chat board in Google Classroom after an earthquake to share their experiences and engage their teacher.
Y'all 😭 that lil tremor in San Bernardino gave us a good shake but lemme tell you how this nerdy--- science teacher is bawling at the fact that my students blitzed the chat board of our Google classroom and are throwing facts and stories around and asking where I am...😭❤️ pic.twitter.com/JzMHL30Q4p
— Jackie Gardner🏳️🌈 (she/they) (@the_fish_nerd) January 25, 2024
Megan Ryder’s STEAM students are also taking initiative on Google Classroom. She shared that these Winfield School District 34 students were uploading proof of their achievements while completing work outside of class.
We don’t have homework in STEAM. We just started our new coding unit & some students told me that they continued working on completing levels outside of class. 🎉📱🤖This morning I checked Google Classroom & saw more screenshots of their achievements! #EveryoneCanCode #winfield34 pic.twitter.com/NB3i3O9DrR
— Megan Ryder (@MrsRyderEDU) January 27, 2024
Meanwhile, third grade teacher Tara Cruz found ways to use the technology inside the classroom at Humble Independent School District. She shared an activity that sparked engagement and collaboration among her students.
Students had fun today with our States of Matter Scavenger Hunt on Google Classroom! 💚✨ @HumbleISD_EGE pic.twitter.com/njbWicG8h0
— Tara Cruz, M. Ed. (@taracruz_ege) September 3, 2024
Tips Help Educators Make Use of Google Classroom’s Features
In addition to educators sharing Google Classroom wins on social media, there are also ed tech experts using their platforms to share resources and advice.
Alice Keeler, an educational technology specialist and consultant, created and shared a guide to Google Classroom for students.
Student Guide to Google Classroom - Teacher Tech https://t.co/UVZVtz52XR pic.twitter.com/WZLqnrTiG7
— Alice Keeler (@alicekeeler) August 15, 2024
John Sowash, founder and CEO of professional development provider Sowash Ventures, promoted and shared a resource for Google Classroom’s discussion feature.
🔥 Don't sleep on Google Classroom's discussion feature! 💬 It's a game-changer for student engagement. Just craft an engaging prompt and watch the magic happen! ✨#GoogleEDU #TeacherTwitter pic.twitter.com/qtVFL5Ju6y
— John R. Sowash (@jrsowash) June 10, 2024
To keep up with all of the exciting updates and features of Google Classroom in its next decade, K–12 IT admins and educators can follow experts including these and join organizations with like-minded ed tech professionals.
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