How to use Google Classroom

Guides

11 June

Person sitting at a table, with a white empty coffee cup, on their laptop with the "Google" search engine home screen.

In this guide, we will explain what Google Classroom is used for, as well as how to access and utilise it, as a Music & the Mind student.

Google Classroom is a free to access education platform that Music & the Mind uses to efficiently communicate with our students. All that is required of the student is that they have a free personal Google Account, which you can sign up for here. This is where all relevant resources will be shared & can be accessed - including the “Practice Diaries” or “Learning Journals” provided after each lesson. Additionally, for music students, work from a platform called Flat (music education software) can also be accessed via your classroom. Students can also write messages and upload relevant files for their tutor and/or peers to see.
To access Google Classroom, head to https://classroom.google.com/, and ensure that you're logged into Google with a personal account.
Yet to Accept an Invitation (first time visitors only):
You would have received an invitation email from Google Classroom, which you’ll need to accept prior to the next steps. Alternatively, you may have received an invitation link from us, which you simply need to click on. If you cannot the email / link, get in touch with us.
Invitation has been Accepted:
1. Once you’re on the Google Classroom page, there will be a class named after the students in the class (eg, "Jim" or “Jane & John”), click on it.
2. This will take you to the classroom’s “Stream”. Here you can see all messages, materials & assessments in the class, presented in chronological order (most recent first).
3. To view all materials & assessments at ease, select the "Classwork" tab, found at the top in the centre.
Viewing Materials
1. Once in the “Classwork” section, find the appropriate topic for what you’re looking for (eg, “Algebra” or “Pitch”).
2. Click on any given material to view the resources it contains. To open those resources, simply click on them.
Accessing Assessments:
1. Once in the “Classwork” section, find the appropriate topic for what you’re looking for (eg, “Algebra” or “Pitch”).
2. Click on the relevant assessment, then “view instructions” in the bottom left corner.
3. Open the relevant attachment/s to complete your assessment.
Posting Messages in the “Stream”:
1. After opening your Google Classroom, you’ll automatically be in the “Stream” section.
2. Underneath the class banner, click “Announce something to the Class”.
3. Type your message (eg, questions, statements or notes for the class / tutor to refer to), and click “Post” in the bottom right corner.
Uploading Files to the Classroom:
1. After opening your Google Classroom, you’ll automatically be in the “Stream” section.
2. Underneath the class banner, click “Announce something to the Class”.
3. Type a brief description for the file/s and use the uploading options in the bottom left corner to attach the file/s.
4. Click “Post” in the bottom right corner to allow the entire class to see the file/s.
Accessing & Submitting “Practice Diaries” / “Learning Journals”:
1. Once you have located your most recent “Practice Diary” or “Learning Journal” (as above), click on “view instructions”.
2. Click on the document that appears, to open it in Google Docs. This allows you to view & edit the document as required.
3. Once you are finished with the “Practice Diary” or “Learning Journal”, simply return to the assessment’s page on Google Classroom and click “Hand In” or “Mark as Done”.