Google Classroom:
GOLD FOR MUSIC EDUCATORS!
By Benjamin Potvin, MMEA President-Elect
Up until recently, I used to take 2-3 days each quarter to do playing exams during my
performing ensemble blocks. I had pushback about having students come in to test
before or after school, so it seemed my only option if I was to truly know what students
were able to do. Another struggle I suffered was living at the photocopier making copies
of rubrics, counting sheets, fingering charts, etc. All of that changed when I decided to
go completely digital (except for concert sheet music) two years ago. Google Classroom
has been the vehicle that has made this change a possibility and technology, once again,
has aided my ability to do more with less time.
Google Classroom is a free web-based program through Google Apps for Education that
can be accessed from any electronic device with internet access. If your school does not
currently use Google Drive and is not a Google Apps for Education school, I highly
recommend you talk to the tech guru at your school. My school instituted a one-to-one
Chromebook program last year, but Google Classroom is a great tool even if you do not
have one-to-one technology.