Guide to Using Google Classroom

1Introduction to Google Classroom

Google Classroom is a free web service developed by Google for schools that aims to simplify creating, distributing, and grading assignments in a paperless way. For Taruna Akademi Maritim Nusantara, this platform provides an organized space for cadets (taruna) to access course materials, submit assignments, and collaborate with instructors and classmates.

The primary purpose of implementing Google Classroom at our academy is to:

• Streamline the learning and teaching process
• Facilitate easy access to course materials and resources
• Improve communication between instructors and cadets
• Reduce paper usage and promote eco-friendly educational practices
• Provide a centralized platform for tracking academic progress

Whether you're a new cadet at the academy or a faculty member, this guide will help you navigate through Google Classroom effectively and make the most of its features for your maritime education journey.

2Getting Started with Google Classroom

Before accessing Google Classroom, ensure you have a valid @amarinusantara.ac.id email address provided by the academy. If you don't have one, please contact the IT department.

3Navigating the Google Classroom Interface

Understanding the Google Classroom interface will help you use the platform efficiently. Here's a breakdown of the main components:

Main Dashboard

Upon logging in, you'll see the main dashboard displaying:

• All your classes as cards with the class name, section, and teacher's name
• A calendar view showing upcoming assignments and deadlines
• The "To Review" section for faculty members showing pending assignments to grade
• Notifications for any recent activity in your classes

Class Stream

When you click on a specific class, you'll be taken to that class's stream, which contains:

• Announcements from the instructor
• Posts shared by the instructor or cadets (if enabled)
• Upcoming assignments and their due dates

Classwork Tab

The Classwork tab is organized by:

• All materials and assignments categorized by topic
• Question posts for discussions or quick assessments
• Materials for reference without submission requirements

People Tab

The People tab shows:

• The instructor(s) for the class
• Classmates (for cadets)
• Options to invite others (for instructors)

4Joining Classes

For Cadets

Alternative Method: By Invitation

Instructors can also send direct invitations to cadets. If you receive an invitation:

1. Open your email
2. Click the "Accept" button in the invitation
3. You'll be automatically added to the class

5Creating and Managing Classes

For Instructors

Class Settings

To customize your class settings:

1. Open your class
2. Click the gear icon in the top right corner (Settings)
3. Here you can modify various options such as:
• The class description
• The class location (if using for distance learning)
• Sharing permissions for the class
• Display options

Managing Class Members

To manage who is in your class:

1. Go to the "People" tab
2. To view the class code that students can use to join, look under the "Students" heading
3. To invite students individually, click the "Invite" button under "Students"
4. To remove a student, click "More" (three dots) next to their name and select "Remove"

6Managing Content and Assignments

Creating Material

To add reference materials (not requiring submission):

1. Go to the "Classwork" tab
2. Click "Create"
3. Select "Material"
4. Enter a title and instructions
5. Add attachments from Google Drive, links, or upload files
6. Choose a topic or create a new one
7. Click "Post" or choose "Save draft"

Creating Assignments

To create an assignment for students:

1. Go to the "Classwork" tab
2. Click "Create"
3. Select "Assignment"
4. Enter a title and instructions
5. Add attachments from Google Drive, links, or upload files
6. Set the point value and due date
7. Choose a topic or create a new one
8. Click "Post" or choose "Schedule" or "Save draft"

Creating Questions

To create a question for discussion or assessment:

1. Go to the "Classwork" tab
2. Click "Create"
3. Select "Question"
4. Enter your question
5. Choose between short answer or multiple choice format
6. Set if students can see each other's answers and if they can edit their answers
7. Set a due date (optional)
8. Click "Ask" or choose options for scheduling or saving as draft

Organizing Content with Topics

To organize content efficiently:

1. Go to the "Classwork" tab
2. Click "Create"
3. Select "Topic"
4. Enter a topic name (e.g., "Navigation Charts" or "Marine Safety")
5. Items can be rearranged by dragging them to different topics

7Communication Features

Announcements

To create an announcement visible to the entire class:

1. Go to the "Stream" tab
2. Click "Announce something to your class" box
3. Share announcements, reminders, or course updates
4. Attach files, links, or Google Drive items if needed
5. Click "Post"

Private Comments

To communicate privately:

• For private comments on assignments: Both cadets and instructors can leave private comments on assignments that are only visible to the student and teacher
• For direct messaging: Click on the "People" tab, then click on the user's name to send an email

Email Notifications

To customize your email notifications:

1. Click the three lines in the top left corner to open the main menu
2. Select "Settings"
3. Choose which notifications you'd like to receive via email
4. Options include notifications for comments, invitations, scheduled posts, etc.

8Tips for Effective Use of Google Classroom

For Cadets

• Check Google Classroom daily for updates, announcements, and new assignments
• Set up mobile notifications to stay informed about important deadlines
• Use the "Google Calendar" integration to track all assignment due dates
• Organize your Google Drive folders to keep materials for each class separate
• Submit assignments before the deadline to avoid late penalties
• Contact your instructor via private comments if you have questions about an assignment
• Download important materials for offline access, especially for practical maritime training sessions

For Instructors

• Consistently organize your Classwork section using topics
• Use due dates for all assignments to help cadets manage their time
• Provide rubrics or grading criteria for major assignments
• Return graded work with detailed feedback to improve learning outcomes
• Use the calendar feature to schedule posts for different times
• Regularly update the stream with announcements and course reminders
• Utilize the question feature for discussions or quick assessments of understanding
• Take advantage of the integration with other Google services like Google Forms for quizzes

9Troubleshooting Common Issues

Login Problems

If you're having trouble logging in:

• Ensure you're using the correct email address (@amarinusantara.ac.id)
• Reset your password if you've forgotten it
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try a different browser or device
• Contact the academy's IT support if problems persist

Class Not Appearing

If a class isn't showing up in your dashboard:

• Refresh the page
• Check if you've been removed from the class by contacting the instructor
• Verify you're looking at the correct email account
• Try rejoining the class with the class code

Assignment Submission Issues

If you're having trouble submitting an assignment:

• Check the file format requirements (some formats may not be supported)
• Ensure you have the necessary permissions to attach files from Google Drive
• Try attaching the file again after a few minutes
• Contact your instructor before the deadline if technical issues persist

Notification Problems

If you're not receiving notifications as expected:

• Check your notification settings in Google Classroom
• Verify your email notifications aren't being flagged as spam
• Check if notification permissions are enabled on your device
• Ensure pop-up notifications are allowed in your browser settings