Let's explore how to create your first class with Google Classroom and you'll be on your way to efficiently sharing class information. Remember, you can use your personal Gmail account as a sandbox for learning how to use Google Classroom.
Google Classroom, like all Google products, is constantly being developed and receiving new updates. This guide will be the most up to date version of a kickoff instructional manual. The purpose of this ultimate and comprehensive guide is to teach how to:
Create your class
Post announcements
Create assignments via Classwork
Create discussions
Create activities for students
Organize your docs
Connect to add-ons
Customize classroom settings
Add or invite students
An excellent video tutorial which walks you through these steps
Before creating your first class, ensure you have the following:
A Google Account – Teachers need a Google account to create and manage classes.
A Compatible Device – Use a laptop, PC, Mac, Chromebook, or a mobile device.
Student Google Accounts – Students must have Google accounts to join your class.
Google Classroom supports both personal Gmail accounts and Google Workspace for Education. However, it’s best to use a school-managed Google Workspace for Education account because it ensures security and compliance with educational policies specific to your school district or school.
Go to classroom.google.com and sign in with your Google account. For help with login issues, see our FAQ.
Click the + button in the top right corner and select Create Class.
If prompted, confirm that you’re a teacher.
Fill in the required Class Name field (e.g., "Biology 101 - Spring 2025").
Optionally, add details like Section, Subject, or Room.
Click Create, and your class is ready!
Creating your first class is simple and only takes a few minutes. Google Classroom provides an intuitive interface that allows teachers to easily set up and manage their digital classrooms with minimal effort. Based on your inputs, the app will also provide some initial customization, like a fun coordinating banner.
Once your class is created, personalize it by:
Changing the banner image and theme color.
Using design tools like Canva to create a custom banner.
Customizing your classroom enhances its visual appeal and helps create a welcoming learning environment. A well-organized and visually engaging class can make navigation easier for students.
The Stream page is where you post updates and announcements. You have familiar formatting options like you'll see in Google Docs, even emoji. To create an announcement:
Click "Share something with your class".
Type your message.
Attach resources such as images, Google Drive files, or YouTube videos.
Post immediately, schedule for later, or save as a draft.
The Stream page functions as the central hub for class communication. By regularly posting announcements, teachers can keep students informed about assignments, upcoming events, and important updates. Check your settings if you want students to be able to comment on your announcements or not.
The Classwork page is where you post assignments and course materials.
Using Google Drive you can add all different file types, like Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, Sites. These different mediums can be really interesting for students to interact with.
Click Create → Material.
Upload a syllabus or other resources from Google Drive.
Click Post.
Click Create → Question.
Enter a question (multiple-choice or short answer).
Set due dates, grading options, and participation settings.
Click Post or Schedule.
Click Create → Assignment.
Add assignment instructions and attach a file if you want.
Choose how students interact with the document:
View only
Edit the same document
Make a copy for each student
Set a due date and point value.
Click Assign.
Using Google Classroom for assignments allows teachers to distribute, collect, and grade work efficiently. It also keeps all student submissions organized and accessible in one place.
To manage large amounts of coursework, use Topics as folders:
Click Create → Topic.
Name the topic (e.g., "Unit 1: Introduction").
Drag and drop assignments into the relevant topic.
Organizing assignments and resources into topics helps keep your class structured. It allows students to easily find relevant materials and stay on track with coursework.
Enhance Google Classroom with external tools:
Embed Zoom or Google Meet links for virtual classes.
Add links to resources like Quizlet, EdPuzzle, and more.
All files automatically save in Google Drive.
Assignments with due dates appear on the Google Classroom Calendar.
Integrating additional learning tools can significantly enhance engagement and provide diverse ways for students to interact with course material.
Customize class preferences:
Stream Settings – Allow/disallow student posts.
Classwork Notifications – Keep assignments separate from announcements.
Guardian Access – Enable email summaries for parents.
Google Meet Integration – Generate a meeting link for virtual sessions.
Gradebook Settings – Enable grading, weighted categories, and feedback options.
Adjusting class settings ensures that the classroom environment aligns with your teaching style and classroom policies, improving overall workflow and efficiency.
Students can join your class in three ways:
Class Code – Display the class code in Stream and have students enter it at classroom.google.com.
Email Invitation – Send an invite link via email.
Manual Enrollment – Add students via the People tab.
To add co-teachers, go to the People tab and invite additional teachers.
Providing multiple ways for students to join ensures accessibility and allows flexibility in managing classroom enrollment. Co-teachers can also help manage the class more efficiently. Students cannot join Google Classroom without a Google account.
Google Classroom is a powerful tool for educators to streamline course management, communicate with students, and integrate digital resources seamlessly. Whether you're setting up your first class or looking for advanced features, this guide will walk you through the essential steps to get started.
References: Google Classroom for Beginners: Start Fast by John R. Sowash