Using Google Calendar to Post Homework
Did you know that you can use Google Calendar to post homework for your classes?
Take a look at a few UC live examples!
- Ms. Doherty Geometry AC
- Mrs. Hofmann's Physics
- Mrs. Lubin's Chemistry
- Mrs. Mascolino's Chemistry
- Mr. Thornton's American Conflicts
- Mr. Johnston's Algebra
- All faculty and students already have an account.
- Single sign-in with your email username and password.
- You can share your class calendar with your students so they have it everytime they log into their email (they no longer have to go anywhere but to their school email account.
- Flexability in configuring repeating events.
- You can add links and documents to your calendar events. (If you want to assign a worksheet, just post the actual document to the due date).
- Parents can download your public calendar too.
Creating a Google Calendar for your class
- Log into UC email.
- Navigate to Google Calendar (at the top of your email you will see a link titled Calendar, click it)
- If this is the first time you have ever clicked on Calendar you may be prompted to access Google's calendar policies, just click accept.
- If you would like to change your preferred default view follow this link for a brief set of instructions (by default, Google sets this to weekly view but many prefer month view). http://support.google.com/calendar/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=37196
- To create a new class calendar. Click the drop-down arrow to the right of My calendars on left side of website.
- Select Create new calendar.
- Enter information about your new calendar.
- Click Share this calendar with others.
- Click Make this calendar public.
- Click the Create calendar button.
- On the left side under My Calendars place your mouse over the calendar you would like to get a website address for.
- Click on the drop down arrow next to your calendar name and select Calendar Settings.
- Near the bottom of this settings page is a section titled Calendar Address, click on the HTML button and a window pops up with the direct URL to your calendar.
- Copy the URL and either share via email to your students or you can post it in your classroom website, whether it be Schoolnotes.com or a Google Site.
http://www.google.com/calendar/embed?src=unioncatholic.org_44lncssaju4s4p1hc6nk8or3u0%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/New_York
Questions for Response/Comments:
Do you have any questions or best practices about setting up and using a Google Calendar in your classroom? If you do, feel free to use the comment section below.
Using Google as a site for all of the required information, has proven to be extremely useful.
ReplyDeleteEven the International Students appreciate the ability to examine and know what the assignments are and when they are do.
When the students are expected to download a document, I go to the document and remind them to download and not just 'open' the document.
This process makes class power points available.
If you have any suggestions,please send them to me.
DeleteLisa, one of the best aspects of the site, as I mention below, is that
Delete1-nothing has to be removed to add a new document,
2-you can also make the document available as on online document
3-the document can be changed as you need to, even during class
If you go to the Smartboard module, you can see how save any notes you have made right into the powerpoint you are working on in class
I am a brand new user to the Google Calendar, thanks to Tracy D. - over the past years it seems the girls lacrosse team has been using this program and now that I am coaching the team again I need to get on board with it - the girls have been asking for it....so again thank you Tracy and now you Jim for the directions to get me started
ReplyDeleteJohn - I'd be happy to help you and Susan. Perhaps we could have a "wing" tutorial!
DeleteThanks, Laura...
DeleteSounds like a great idea.
Just to let you know that the process is very simple and straightforward. If Laura could teach me, anyone can learn. The fact that you can maintain the information from year to year and not reload the documents is such a timesaver. All in one 'click' is the main page and everything else they need. Calendars particular to their class, unit information, links for textbook and other ancillaries are all in one place. It is a timesaver for the Instructor and the student.
DeleteThis is a great way to post information to students. I like Google very much. Will start looking into this.
ReplyDeleteI agree, and the possibilities seem endless for all aspects of student life here at UC.
DeleteI have noticed other teachers using the google calendar to post homework. I have been interested in learning how to set it up, but I just never got a chance to ask anyone. This info is very helpful, and the step-by-step instructions are great. I will have to give it a try. Thanks Jim!!
ReplyDeleteThhanks Jim I am going to use this. Very helpful and good clear set of instructions.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love google calendar. Response from both students and parents has been very positive. The only assignments they see are for their class so there is no confusion as to what assignment is theirs. It also allows you to post quiz and test dates well in advance so the student can better prepare. Google calendar in conjunction with the google website for each class has proven to be a very valuable tool for me.
ReplyDeleteLaura, I completely agree with you. It is a clean and organized way to post homework, tests, and quizzes. I, too, like that they can only see their class's homework. I also like how user-friendly it is and that you can update it with your iPhone instead of having to turn on your laptop.
DeleteEd makes an excellent point. I have been using Google Calendar for several years, and it is very easy to update; I find it to be quick and efficient. Over time, I have also found that my students are more likely to check the calendar than they are to go to School Notes.
DeleteI hadn't heard of this being used, but it looks more organized than using schoolnotes. I like that it is set up in a "calendar" formation instead of linearly, like schoolnotes. It seems like it would be much more effective for longterm goals like tests and projects. For those that use this mean that you only use google calendar, or do you also use your schoolnotes page, too?
ReplyDeleteI believe in general we all end up just using this instead, especially when in conjunction with a Google Site you can quickly link each one of your class calendars to one Google Site page (then we link to that in our website faculty directory).
DeleteSamantha, I only use Google calendar. If you click on my schoolnotes page it brings you directly to my home website where all my classes are listed. You click on the appropriate class and it brings you to that website. I have my students bookmark it so they have one click access to everything for the class - assignments, notes, worksheets, etc. It is an excellent tool.
DeleteI have no problem switching over to Google calendar(I'm for anything that is easier for me and the students) but will we still have to use schoolnotes? Having to do it twice is a pain. I had to teach my freshman at the beginning of 3rd marking period how to get to schoolnotes so clearly they are not using it.
DeleteJoan, you don't have to maintain both. I link to either schoolnotes or google sites in the online faculty directory. We just need a single location that lists all of the calendars and provides open access for public view.
DeleteI still use SchoolNotes because I give very little homework in my classes, but it may be time for a change. School Notes is a bit clunky and unnecessary. Some teachers use Google Sites with Google Calendars integrated into their site. I have seen Tracy's, looks very good. Seems like the way to go.
DeleteI also like this option of switching to Google calendar. I actually use Moodle in my classes because in addition to posting calendar items, files, and links, I can create assignments for the students to submit right from the online classroom - it has virtually halted the need for them ever to print out papers for me. We have no issues with wasted paper or printing on time since no printing is ever needed. The only issue with Moodle is that my pages are currently private, so only the students can log in and see - there is no access to parents. This is a change that i am considering taking to Jimmy more about in the future.
DeleteI have never thought to use this but after reading this I believe this will be another useful way of making sure the students and parents can easily see the work and due dates. I really appreciate this Jim. This is going to be something I look into during the summer and prepare to use for next school year.
ReplyDeleteTim, I find Google calendars a great way to stay organized in and out of the classroom. You can access the calendar(s) from the Google app so you can update any changes from the Iphone, Ipad, Laptop, etc.
DeleteIf you need any help with setting it up just let me know.
I switched over to a Google Site at the beginning of last year and found it extremely beneficial. I am able to post homework assignments, quiz/test dates, and announcements right into each class calendar. I am able to do that from my laptop, Ipad, or even the Iphone. I can even attach documents to each class page like you can in SchoolNotes.
ReplyDeleteEvery student has a Gmail account so they are able to link their class calendar their email. I will walk the students through this on the first day of school and they seem to like the organization of it. Parents are also able to do the same thing if they have a Gmail account.
The only downfall is that parents will not get an update notification like they get with SchoolNotes.
Hi Ed,
Deletethe funny part is that most of the parents I have spoken with about grades, assignments and class materials prefer the google site. One of the parents has hers on her smart phone so, like my phone, it 'pings' when I enter a new assignment on the calendar or a new email.
Thanks. I will give it a try. Thanks for the instructions. Seems easy enough....but somehow I predict I will be sending you an email with questions, ha!
ReplyDeleteI have used the Google Calendars for years. In today's Smartphone era, the calendars have an added advantage. I have all of Union Catholic's Calendars synced to my iPhone. This allows me to easily view all necessary information without having to search for it. The information is sent to me directly. Less work = easier. So, students can add their class calendars to their smartphones and have homework information (sent to them) without having to do more than open the calendar on their phone. I feel that the using Google Calendars at UC makes for a simpler and clearer experience for students and parents.
ReplyDeleteMike
It looks like Google Calender is the way to go! I had problems with schools notes just last week. If the Google sites are already link in the faculty directory I am going to start using it. Thank you
ReplyDeleteJim,
ReplyDeleteI have a Google Site now how do I add the calendar to my site?
Thanks!
I havent used this yet but learning about it and getting new ideas I am very interesed in applying this in my classroom use along with my 3 sports I coach. This could be very useful in a lot of ways.
ReplyDelete