If you have any questions about distance learning, or simply wish to find out more, take a look at our frequently asked questions here. Click on a tab to find out more:
The email notifications in Google Classroom are overwhelming. How can I manage these better?
There are a couple of ways you can better manage email notifications you receive from Google Classroom:
1) Turn notifications on or off in Google Classroom;
2) Create a Gmail filter for Google Classroom notifications.
To learn more check out the following article: How to Manage Google Classroom Email Notifications.
Why do my scheduled posts sometimes appear late?
When you create an assignment, you can post it immediately, or schedule it to post it later. If they are appearing late, double check the date and time. You will receive an email once the scheduled assignment has been posted to Classroom.
To learn more about scheduling assignments read: Post, schedule, or save a draft assignment.
How can I write on my screen or annotate a presentation while sharing my screen during a Meet?
There are a couple of ways to achieve this, which will work best on a Chromebook or another touchscreen device.
1) Jamboard is Google’s collaborative whiteboard app. It enables you to write directly on the screen, annotate slides or images, and you can even add other users to the Jam.
2) Page Marker is a very simple Chrome extension that allows you to write or draw over any Chrome tab. For instance, you can annotate a Google Slide during a Meet and you can even download the annotation as an image to share in Google Classroom.
Where can I find help for Meet?
Meet is Google’s video conferencing tool that enables you to to talk face to face and share your screen with your class. For help with getting started on Meet read the following article: Meet Staff Guide.
How can we quickly convert Microsoft Word documents in Google Docs?
Google Drive can automatically convert your Microsoft Office documents into Google Docs. Simply to go drive.google.com/drive/settings and tick the option Convert Uploads. Now when you upload Microsoft Office files they’ll be automatically converted into their respective Google G Suite format (e.g. Docs, Sheets, Slides). Learn more >>
Where can I find a guide on how to use Screencastify?
We’ve created a quick run through of Screencastify including a video introduction to it. Click here.
How can I upgrade to the premium version of Screencastify?
The college now has a license to enable all staff and students at Barton Peveril to use the premium version of Screencastify. To get started you just need to sign up with your college credentials. Head to http://account.screencastify.com/user/subscribe to get started.
My videos are taking a long time to produce and upload to Google Drive?
When creating a Screencast it’s a good idea to keep them short and focused. If it’s a bigger topic, break it up into smaller chunks. This will be quicker to upload and it makes it easier for students to navigate the videos.
Some of my students have reported they cannot watch videos created in Screencastify.
The quickest way to share a video is to press Copy Shareable Link after finishing a recording. This will automatically turn on link sharing for the video, enabling anyone with the link to access it. You can then take this link and email it or post it in Google Classroom.
Another cause could be Sky Broadband. We’ve heard of Sky blocking Google Drive videos at other schools. If this could be the case, please get in contact with IT Services.
How can I get access to my college files that aren’t in Google Drive?
Everything in your College documents that aren’t stored in Google Drive should be accessible using MyFiles (filr.barton.ac.uk). When you log in to myBarton you can find a link to MyFiles in the Quick Links section on the left hand side.
We would recommend storing all your files in Google Drive to make it easier to access from anywhere and any device.
How can we access files stored on the college Public drive whilst at home?
Parts of the Public Drive are available through MyFiles (filr.barton.ac.uk) under NetFolders. If the folder you’re looking for is not listed under Net Folders you can request IT Services to add this. Learn more about Filr >>
Alternatively, IT Services are happy to upload your files and folders on the Public Drive onto a Google Shared Drive, which will make it far easier you to access your work.
I’m finding AfL more difficult to do when teaching remotely. Do you have any ideas?
There are a lot of great digital tools available for assessment for learning. The following list includes some digital tools to explore for AfL:
1) Google Classroom includes the Question Tool, which enables you to ask students to respond to a question you’ve set. Answers can just be viewable to you as a teacher, or you can make this collaborative for the students. Learn more >>
2) Google Forms is an easy to use tool for creating surveys and quizes. You can even turn your Google Form into a self-grading quiz on Google Classroom. Learn more >>
3) Flipgrid is an educational social media tool that allows you to set a question for students who can record a short video reply. You can leave feedback as a teacher or you can allow students to reply to one another. Learn more >>
4) Kahoot! is a game-based learning tool that is already hugely popular with our learners in classrooms. Kahoot can also be used as a distance learning tool, enabling you to create an engaging quizzes. Learn more >>
5) Mentimeter is an interactive presentation app that allows you to receive realtime feedback from learners. You can ask questions and get results right away. Learn more >>