"App smashing is a phrase used to denote the process during which teachers and/or students create content by starting with one app and using another app to enhance its creation process."
"1. Post Questions
Phan explains, "You can post questions to your class and allow students to have discussions by responding to each other's answers (or not, depending on the setting you choose). For example, you could post a video and ask students to answer a question about it, or post an article and ask them to write a paragraph in response."
2. Reuse Assignments
If you reuse curricula year after year-or at least reuse documents, there is an update you might like. Phan explains, "Now you can reuse assignments, announcements or questions from any one of your classes - or any class you co-teach, whether it's from last year or last week. Once you choose what you'd like to copy, you'll also be able to make changes before you post or assign it."
3. Improved Calendar Integration
We love changes that improve workflow. Phan: "In the next month, Classroom will automatically create a calendar for each of your classes in Google Calendar. All assignments with a due date will be automatically added to your class calendar and kept up to date. You'll be able to view your calendar from within Classroom or on Google Calendar, where you can manually add class events like field trips or guest speakers."
4. Bump a post
Sticking posts on blogs, tweets, or facebook updates has long been a thing. Now you can do it on Google Classroom as well by moving any post to the top.
5. Due dates optional
Project-based learning, Self-directed learning? Maker ed? If you use long-term projects or other due-date-less assignments, you can now create assignments without due dates in Google Classroom.
6. Attach a Google Form to a post
If you're a fan of Google Forms (here's a post on using Google Forms to create a self-graded exam), this is a change you'll appreciate. Phan explains, "Many teachers have been using Google Forms as an easy way to assign a test, quiz or survey to the class. Coming in the next few weeks, teachers and students will soon be able to
"Are corporate certification programs, like the Apple Distinguished Educator, Google Certified Teacher, or Microsoft Innovative Educator, valuable in Educational Technology? I discuss this from two vantage points: that of a teacher or practictioner and that of an administrator evaluating and hiring staff."
"Even the leading expert on Google Classroom, Alice Keeler, says it is not an LMS. She argues that Google Classroom is neither an LMS nor a CMS (Content Management System) because it does not automate course enrollment, have a grade book, or house content.
Alice Keeler is right. Google Classroom is not an LMS, it's better.
She goes on to define Google Classroom as "Google Drive Management." This description is accurate. Google Drive Management is more valuable to students and teachers than what an LMS provides because Google Apps for Education (GAFE) are essential for collaboration and feedback. Students hone future-ready skills when they collaborate and give and receive feedback in the Google ecosystem. Google Classroom automates the distribution of Google Drive files. Conventional LMSs force teachers and students into time-wasting workarounds to access and share Google Drive files."