Google Workspace Admin: Allow Access to Google Classroom from Other Domains

 

A quick post today, but really important one.  So often we hear of updates to Google Apps and just take it for granted they will work.  Unfortunately, many times a 'feature' doesn't work properly because it requires a modification in the Google Workspace ADMIN panel.  

Google Classroom has become more widely used for professional development and training.  Teachers are enrolled in classes at outside colleges and universities that are teaching with Google Classroom.  Many districts have students coming in from other schools for only a few classes.    This means that being knowledgeable of HOW to configure Classroom to allow users to join from outside your domain is very important!  

It requires that the Admin Settings in Classroom be modified to do this:

1. Sign into admin.google.com
2. Select Apps
3. Select Google Workspace>
4. Select Classroom
5. Select Class settings.  
6. Select the EDIT icon.  There you will find the options to modify access for those who can join classes in your domain and what classes users in your domain can join.  

Below is a video that demonstrates the process.  

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Google Workspace for both business & education as well as other educational topics.  Please check out what we have to offer at edtrekkers.com.  If you would like to inquire about professional development, email info@edtrekkers.com

Create a FlipGrid and Post to Classroom - Fast & Furious for Beginners

The school year is underway and many teachers are setting out to take their skills to the next level and try new ways to engage with students.  

FlipGrid is an EXTREMELY popular and versatile too!  Communication, community, differentiation, UDL - so many great reasons to use it! 

I have many teachers who prompt me with questions about how to invite students, how they access, etc.  This post with the accompanied video show how to create a Group (your class), invite students, and share the topic to classroom so they can access.  These are the parts that teachers who are new to FlipGrid struggle with.  Creating posts and viewing are never a problem and student seem to NEVER have trouble posting, especially with the video effects!

Don't second guess yourself!  Tell your students it is your first attempt and you want to work through it WITH them the first time.  Show them how it is posted, demo a response and then see how they do.  Have a back up plan if you run into a SNAFU.  Do your best and forget the rest!  You will BE SO GLAD that you took the time to do this.  There will be countless ways you can leverage FlipGrid that will make your classroom a happier place and believe it or not, make many things more fun and easier for you!

Recapping the steps below:

1. Sign up for an educator account at info.flipgrid.com
2. Once you are signed in, select +Group to create a group.
3. Name the Group (i.e. name of your class).
4. Invite students from your Google Classroom by select the Classroom icon and 'sign in with Google' to sync your teacher account with FlipGrid.  This allows your Flipgrid to identify who is in your class
5. Select the class that you want to invite.  
6. Return back to the main screen.
7. Use the introductory topic or create a new topic. We don't cover the nuts and bolts of this now, most teachers don't struggle with this.  
8. Select the 'arrow' (share option) and copy the link.
9. Go to your Classwork page in Google Classroom
10. Create an assignment (add title and description, due date, assign topic etc as you see fit).
11. Add the link to the assignment and post.
12. Be sure to tell students to share the LINK / URL to their response from FlipGrid when they submit the assignment.  

Please let us know your thoughts.  We can hear you in the comments below, or you can tweet us at twitter.com/@edtrekkers.  

We would love to have you join us for any of our training or bring one of our trainers to your school or organization!   - www.edtrekkers.com