Are you new to Google Classroom and in search of new and innovative ways to use this powerful LMS? Don’t worry, we have you covered. In this short, but sweet post, our editors have come up with 7 smarter ways to use Google Classroom.

1. Anonymous Help Requests– Many students are afraid to let the teacher know that they need help, for fear of bullying or ridicule from peers. If your students complete their assignments on computer devices, tell them to send you a quick email message if they need help. Not as practical as a real-time chat, but since you will be monitoring your device, they should have to wait long. This way you can check on them without their classmates knowing.
2. Bullying Prevention– Create a classroom that contains all the students in your class (teacher) or school (administrator). Create an assignment labeled “Report a Concern.” This would permit students to quickly and anonymously report any issue (e.g., bullying, abuse at home, and emotional stress) that they may have encountered to faculty or staff members that they trust, using the same process that they use to submit assignments. Students would attach documents, audio, video, pictures or screen captures to their report to provide evidence and details of their concern. To give students additional help on their own, the “Report a Concern” assignment should provide them with a list of online resources, tools, and helplines. Staff can manage the pre-populated list and add any additional ones they feel are appropriate. This empowers students to confront bullying without fear of retaliation. When using this as a schoolwide deterrent to bullying, make sure you invite every employee to the Classroom, including the custodian. You never know who the student has formed a bond with.
3. Create an IEP Team– Create an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) team for students with disabilities. Invite members of the IEP team to join the group. Post announcements, manage the IEP process, create IEP’s and permit other members to edit, make comments, download, etc.
4. Create an RTI Team– Create an RTI (Response to Intervention) team for students who are experiencing academic issues and are in the Tier continuum. Invite members of the RTI team to join the group. Post announcements, manage the RTI process, create documents, and permit other members to edit, make comments, download, etc.
5. Interactive Lessons– There are several apps that allow you to create interactive lessons for Google Classroom. If I were you, I would choose one that allows you to create interactive lessons, presentations, and projects.
6. Literature Circles– Assign students to collaborative groups and have them read a book of their choice and then meet to discuss the book they have selected. They must create and assign particular roles within the group such as summarizer or discussion director. Groups are required to submit a report of their discussions using a PowerPoint, Word document, audio, video, etc.
7. Teacher Evaluations– Using Google classroom to grow and evaluate teachers is easy. During an evaluation, in addition to observation, administrators can require teachers to record videos of their teaching and submit it to the Classroom. Like a football coach and player, they can collaborate to document and comment on areas for growth. Then they can set up a final meeting to create a plan aimed at helping teacher meet growth targets.

Can you think of any additional smarter ways to use Google Classroom?