1. Google Classroom is different from a traditional teacher website because it allows you to post assignments, send them directly to the students, have the students complete the assignment using a computer, and send it back to the teacher for corrections. A traditional teacher website does not allow for the student to complete and return assignments to the teacher through the website.
2. I created a Google Classroom and the main benefit I can see in the future would be easy access to assignments for students who are absent without notice or leaving for an extended period of time. Instead of me trying to copy and collect assignments missed that day/those days, the parent & student would be able to sign into Google Classroom and have the material right there. It would save paper and time.
3. Google Classroom can help make my classroom a more student centered environment by giving parents additional access to assignments and reducing the "I forgot my homework" excuse. Kindergartners have difficulty remembering to bring their homework back to school sometimes. When they pack their take home folders, sometimes the homework gets "lost" in the shuffle on the table or left at aftercare or left in their mailbox.
Overall, it was fairly easy to create a Google Classroom. I had some difficulty understanding how to add items to the classroom calendar but googled "how to edit google classroom calendar" and was able to find a site that explained the connection to posting assignments and the calendar. I'm not sure if I will use Google Classroom this year since the team website is our main way of communicating with parents. I think I would either have a team website or a Google Classroom but not both.
