Imbibing Google Classroom in the English Classroom

Imbibing Google Classroom into the English Classroom Dr. Emilda Josephine, Asst. Professor, Lebanese French University, Erbil Abstract Mobiles have become an integral part of everybody’s lives. It is an inevitable organ in one’s body. It is like the sixth finger. The main purpose of the mobile phone is to attend calls. One finds that people irrespective of all ages, looking into their mobiles often. They are constantly looking out for messages or calls. They try to engage themselves in social media like Facebook, Whatsapp, Viber, Twitter, Instagram etc., They read updates, check messages and post pictures in them. The mobile has features like Calendar, Clock, Calculator, Compass, Mirror, Maps and FM Radio in built in the system. The Voice Recorder, Music Player, Camera, You Tube and Editor channelizes the Audio-Visual streams. There are many Apps for playing recreational, mind or educational games in their mobile phones. Google Classroom is an Educational App introduced for better learning in the classroom. It creates interest among the millennial learners and enables them to learn better. It kindles their learning because it channels from the traditional methods of teaching learning process. There is a tremendous paradigm shift from the teacher-centred classroom to the student-centred classroom. This paper adheres to view the characteristics of Google Classroom for the benefit of the students. Key words: Google Classroom, Mobile Learning, English, ICT Introduction Mobiles have become an integral part of everybody’s lives. It is an inevitable organ in one’s body. It is like the sixth finger. The main purpose of the mobile phone is to attend calls. One finds that people irrespective of all ages, looking into their mobiles often. They are constantly looking out for messages or calls. They try to engage themselves in social media like Facebook, Whatsapp, Viber, Twitter, Instagram etc., They read updates, check messages and post pictures in them. The mobile has features like Calendar which had replaced the daily calendar found in houses. It can register the appointments of people. The Clock can show the time, alarm can wake up people, stop watch can set the time limit. The mobile has Calculator which has replaced the mental arithmetic and the scientific calculators. The Compass in the Mobiles gives the directions North, South, West, East, North East, South East, North West and South West. The Mirror in the mobile replaces the mirror kit in the hand bag. The Maps guides any traveller to move across the place by foot, bike, car or public transport. The mobile accesses the FM Radio and broadcasts News, songs and talk shows. The Voice Recorder in the mobile helps people to record voice notes, vocal songs and listen to them. The True Caller App can record conversations and use it for further reference. The Music Player lists the favourite audio and video songs to be played in solitude. The Camera and Video feature in the Mobile attempts the people to take photographs and video tape their memorable moments. The Editor enhances the photographs and videos in the gallery to either a slide show or a video. The You Tube App helps people view videos on any topic. The Wattpad App is a collection of books to be read for pleasure. Even the Newspapers, Magazines could be downloaded in an App and read at any given time. The Shopping Apps such as, Amazon, Myntra, Flipkart and Club Factory indulges the users to shop on the go. The extension of Shopping Apps has delivered provisions, meat and daily utilities at the thresholds of the houses. There are many Apps for playing recreational, mind or educational games in their mobile phones. People can transact money in the living rooms of their houses through Mobile banking. Phone payee Apps also encourage ordering food online, paying bills, booking tickets for bus, train and flight journey. The call taxis can transport people to places with just a click of the mobile phone. People can also sell their used good through Apps designed for them. Health Fitness Apps are a constant check for people’s diet and prevent unnecessary indulgences. The Google Search Engine can seek information online within a second. The Gmail App initiates the immediate reply to the emails. The Blogger App accounts to transfer knowledge in a common forum for people all over the world. The MS Word tries to type and prepare a written document. The MS Excel formulates data into spread sheets. The Powerpoint adheres to prepare slides for presentations. These documents could be saved in the Files or Folders and retrieved instantly. It can also be stored in the Google Drive and used anywhere through Cloud Computing. The SOS App has been a boon to the people in danger. People fainting, having a panic attack or heart attack can ask for immediate attention. Even women in predatory circumstances can get assistance from the authorities. Thus, mobiles have access to all the utilities, necessities, hobbies and pleasures of people. Google Classroom The recent developments in Science and Technology, students have moved from the black board to the use of gadgets. The classrooms have smart boards with the use of ICT enabled teaching. The ‘chalk and talk’ method have been replaced by various novel methods of teaching. Google Classroom is an Educational App introduced for better learning in the classroom. It creates interest among the millennial learners and enables them to learn better. It kindles their learning because it channels from the traditional methods of teaching learning process. It is an innovative pedagogy that involves all the learners into the learning process. There is a tremendous paradigm shift from the teacher-centred classroom to the student-centred classroom. The use of similar technologies in the classroom compels attention from the students. This paper adheres to view the characteristics of Google Classroom for the benefit of the students. Features Create a Class The class teacher is the Administrator of the Google Classroom App. This App should be installed by the teacher in his/ her mobile. The teacher clicks on the icon, ‘Create a Class’. There will be two options: ‘Join Class’, ‘Create Class’. The teacher can create a class, ‘B. Ed English’. The students can click on the option: ‘Join Class’ to join the group. Stream The Class teacher can list the names of students according to their Batch or year of Study. The students can be lined to be First Years, Second Years, 2019-2020, 2020-2021 so on. The Stream icon is a scrolling feature which updates information on assignments and announcements. This can be viewed by students anytime, anywhere and respond immediately. The Classwork can be uploaded and students can check it. This prevents the heavy bags or textbooks being carried to Educational Institutions. Locate Classes This icon, ‘Locate Classes’ is the storage unit of all classes recorded previously. If a student is absent for class, he / she can view the content taught in the class. All assignments, classwork can be checked during the year. If the student has a doubt on a particular topic, he / she can go back to that particular topic and refresh from it. This option insists that no classes are missed by the students. It lists the participants in the class. Create This icon, ‘Create’ has multiple options: ‘Create Post’, ‘Question’, ‘Create Assignment’, ‘Create Announcement’. The teachers can type their notes for classroom teaching and it can be seen by the students till the end of their course. The important keywords, hints can be posted for students learning. The Class teacher can post a question to check the understanding of the students. The students can answer to the questions of the teacher through their mobiles. This option can be used to type announcements, assignments for the class. View, Edit or Make a Copy This icon, ‘View, Edit or Make a Copy’ is a wonderful boon to the teachers. The teacher can choose to exhibit the content for the whole class or individuals. The important key words, hints can be made available to all students whereas the corrections to the questions posed can be done individually. This enables individual attention to the students and the teacher is aware of the learning levels of the students. The teacher can post a class assignment and allow the students to crosscheck the works of their peers. This enhances Collaborative Learning and Peer Learning among students. Attach Something This icon ‘Attach Something’ can be used to attach documents, power point presentations, notes, texts or content for the subject. This option can be used a window to open a world of opportunities. This icon can be used to google search notes, texts, videos, images related to the subject being taught. This online teaching enthrals the students into learning with anticipation. Calendar This icon ‘Calendar’ lists the classes of students with respect to the date and timing of the session. It can also be used to mark the attendance of the students. This calendar gives the schedule for the submission of assignments, conduction of Quiz, slip tests and reminds the students of the due date. Assignments This feature, ‘Assignment’ is visible to the whole class. It enlists the assignments planned for the specific course and also extends further references related to the subject. The reference list enables the students to read extensively on the subject. Assess and Provide Feedback This icon, ‘Assess and Provide Feedback’ helps the teacher to give prompt feedback to the students. This formative assessment induces students to rectify their mistakes and resubmit their assignments. This encourages original work and not plagiarized content into the assignments. Return Work This icon, ‘Return Work’ attempts to assist the teacher in the teaching process. The students are guided through their mistakes and initiated to rectify their mistakes. Even their own peers can suggest ideas and opinions on the assignments. This proves as a platform for holistic learning environment. English Classroom Any Language Learning Classroom will be a noisy classroom. The English Classroom formulates interaction and conversation to develop communicative competence. The main objective of the English Teachers is to enhance English Language Proficiency among students. They aim at developing the four communicative skills, namely Listening, Speaking, Reading and Writing. The English teacher creates an atmosphere where the students listen to the language and understand it when spoken. They use it various situations and speak the Language. They learn to read silently and loudly. They learn to write using the language. Using Google Classroom App in the English Classroom The English Teacher uses the icon ‘Create a Class’ and creates a group for her class. Since, the Class teacher is the administrator, the teacher can guide the students into the teaching learning process. The Class Code is available and the students join the Class using the Class Code. The teacher then streams then into First Year, Second Year and so on. The teacher posts an announcement that the students on the submission of assignments. The students respond to her individually. She receives the acknowledgement that the students are aware of the assignment. The Calendar icon reminds the students of their pending assignments and forthcoming test. The teacher then uploads the notes, power point presentations and essays prepared for the class. It is downloaded by the students into their mobile phones and are able to use it. This saves the usage and wastage of paper. During the class, the teacher conducts a Quiz with the help of Google Classroom. The students respond to her in the class. The chats are visible on the Smart board or the Screen of the Projector. The Assess and Provide Feedback icon initiates the correction of the answers of the students. This avoids huge bundles of papers being carried home for corrections and hours spent for correcting them. This Formative Assessment assists in error correction among the students and furthers learning without any back lag. This Return Work insists that the students rectify their mistakes and learn from it. Conclusion The Advancement of Science and Technology has been a boon to the mankind. The invention of the Mobile Phones with its updation into the recent trends has brought into immense changes in the lives of human beings. Google Classroom App with its features sources students to equip themselves with their smart phones and their practical applications. It will be an advantage to students, if used at the appropriate time and place. It should also be used as Assistive Technology and Replaced Technology. It lies in the hands of the English Teacher to exploit the resources available to impart English Language to her students. References 1. I. A. Richards, (2012). English through Pictures, Washington Squire Press, New York. 2. Perez, Sarah, (2015). Google Classroom expands its Educational Platform “Classroom” with a new API Share Button for its Websites. Ted Crunch AOL 3. Regan Tom, (2017). Google Classroom is open to anyone with an urge to teach, Engadget, AOL.