5 Steps for Getting Started with Google Classroom in a High Poverty Classroom

Technology integration for high poverty schools is a luxury for most teachers. The teachers either have some outdated technology or none at all.

As a math teacher integrating technology honestly was not a priority until after an intense conversation with my son about 3 years ago. He was so disappointed because he felt like school had not prepared him for real life.

Our conversation really bothered be so much that I began to reflect and change how I taught math concepts to my students. I’ve always made sure that I connected math to real-life situations but I also included culturally responsive teaching and more technology.

Although I have plenty of experience with working in high poverty settings, making changes like these didn’t come without its challenges! There were many challenges that didn’t anticipate. For example, after getting a classroom set of Chromebooks I didn’t expect my high achieving students would  have so many computer deficits. I had to take the time to teach them basic keyboard skills.

After implementing Google Classroom with just one of my three classes, I quickly realized that there are 5 simple steps that teachers in high poverty setting show follow to get started with Google Classroom.

1. Create a Plan

Before jumping feet first into using Google Classroom it is very important to create a plan. This plan should include:

• Purpose – if you don’t set the purpose for implementing the platform the students will use is a entertainment tool
• Expectations – lay the foundation of what you expect when using the platform
• Consequences – what will you do when students don’t follow your expectations
• Computer storage- where will you store your computer/how will you charge your computers
• Frequency – how often do you want to use Google Classroom
• Routines and Procedures – routines are the step by step process and the procedures are the how

2. Find Resources

There are many blogs, podcasts, and books that you can turn to when getting started with Google Classroom. When I decided that I wanted to use Google Classroom I began with Twitter. I found the hashtag for Google Classroom which then led me to other resources.

1. Alice Keeler
2. Kasey Bell
3. Teachers Using Google Classroom

Being a change agents can sometimes be a lonely place. Often times it seemed as if I was the pioneer for trying to expose my students to more 21st Century skills. This made me look for resources outside of the school and sometimes the school district. If you want to implement innovative teaching ideas in your classroom don’t let the lack of support deter you because there are online communities that can provide the support that you will need.

3. Prepare Your Classroom

Preparing your classroom for technology integration may seem silly to some teachers. When I began to use Chromebooks on a daily basis it changed the dynamics of my classroom. I had to create an area to store the computers as well as additional routines and procedures for distributing and charging the computers.

It is not uncommon for students in high poverty setting to associate computers with entertainment. Throughout this process I learned that it’s a huge mind shift for me and the students when we began to use computers alongside paper and pencil.

4. Scaffold Google Classroom Introduction

Just like with your instruction you have scaffold the implementation of Google Classroom. Some of the students will go with it and be rock stars and others not so much! Of all of the resources that I have used, I think Alice Keeler’s blog does a great job of scaffolding instruction using Google Classroom.

When I introduced Google Classroom to my students I began with a simple Youtube video on the purpose of the platform. Then I created a question in the stream for the students to answer. Every week I introduced a new feature by creating a new assignment for the students.

5. Create Paperless Assignments

There are some teachers who have paperless classrooms. I’m not a fan of total paperless classrooms. Especially not for in a high poverty school, because a large majority of the students don’t have access to computers at home. Also, sometimes the technology doesn’t work. Creating a hard copy for the students allows me to continue with my lesson when the technology isn’t available.

There are 2 programs that I use to create paperless assignments that integrate with Google Classroom. Nearpod and EdPuzzle are 2 platforms that I use to create my assignments. I create Google Slides to create my lesson and Nearpod allows me to make the slides interactive. I use Edpuzzle to flip some of my lessons with videos.

There are a plethora of other apps, extensions, and platforms that can be used with Google Classroom. You have to remember that less is more!

If you started using Google Classroom or would like to start using Google Classroom you can download my FREE Google Classroom checklist below!