G-Suite - Guide
G-Suite for Education: A Parents Guide
What is Google Suite for Education?
Google Classroom is a free Google App that aims to simplify creating, distributing and assessing learning in a paperless way. Teachers can use Google Classroom to send announcements to entire classes, share resources, lesson notes, PowerPoints, diagrams, and home learning.
Pupils can use it to access work covered in class in school, at home or on the go and complete home learning. Parents can use some of the features of Google Classroom to help engage with and support pupils in their home learning. It is a free resource that can be accessed from any device connected to the internet - laptops, desktop computers, chrome books, tablets or mobile phones.
Why is Abercarn Primary School using GSuite?
Google Suite provides the ability for children and teachers to communicate, store files and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, and presentations from school or home, all within a secure “closed campus” online environment. It is important to remember an educational Google account is structured and managed differently to a ‘personal’ Google account.
How can I use GSuite to support my child's learning?
We encourage parents to sit down with their children to look at the school work stored within their child’s Google Drive and Classroom, just as we encourage pupils to share their work with their parents.
Will all my child’s work be in their GSuite?
The simple answer is no. GSuite is used to enhance and develop the experience of the child. As such, teachers will decide when it is appropriate to use GSuite to share work and when other methods are more appropriate. Due to the age of our children, the majority of work will be completed in their writing books in class. On occasions, children may complete a presentation or document online.
Accessing Google Classroom
Pupils can access Google Classroom using the mobile apps (Android and iOS), or via a web browser by visiting www.classroom.google.com. They should sign in using their @abercarnprimary.org email address that they have been given by their teacher, Once pupils have logged in, they will see the class overview page. From here they can see all of the classes they are registered with, a summary of any work set and the due date.
Accessing resources
If pupils are accessing Google classroom from a mobile device, they should download the appropriate Google Apps to make best use of the shared resources. The most useful Google apps are: Classroom, Slides, Docs and Drive. When home learning is set online, it can be submitted directly within Google Classroom online without needing to be printed.
To open the home learning, click on the Open button on the appropriate post in the Stream page. You will then see the homework description and any attached documents.
The simplest way to complete the home learning online is to open the attachment and complete your assignment in this document. When you are finished, click on the MARK AS DONE button. You can even add your own attachments to your submission, such as photos, audio clips, videos, etc. Once the home learning has been marked by the teacher, you can see feedback and any comments made by the teacher by opening the home learning task as before.
Safety Features
Although many safety features have been enabled by our administrators, it is still the responsibility of parents to monitor what children are accessing online at home. We will continue to teach children the importance of being responsible digital citizens and accessing age appropriate material and we appreciate parents supporting this at home with their children.
Google Classroom is to be used for school related content only.
Any misuse will be reported and investigated by our Support Team (support@abercarnprimary.org).
Misuse could result in removal from use of the site.
Google Drive
What is it?
Cloud storage for all file types including images, videos and audio files. Students have unlimited storage and can access their files from any device, anywhere they have an internet connection.
Google Classroom
What is it?
A blended learning platform that integrates Google Suite to allow teachers to assign and collect work from students. Classroom creates a paperless environment and saves time providing a way for teachers and students to easily communicate and stay organized. Parents can get update emails about the work going on in Google Classroom.
Google Slides
What is it?
Presentation tool that allows students to collaborate together on the same presentation and easily add images, videos and graphics to tell a story. Students can choose from templates or create their own slide format.
Google Docs
What is it?
Word processing tool to allow students to create and edit text and paragraphs. Students can collaborate on the same document and teachers can easily provide feedback while students are working.
Google Sheets
What is it?
Spreadsheet tool for analysing, visualizing and charting data. Similar to the other G:Suite tools, students can easily share and collaborate in real-time.