Get Ahead This School Year: Essential Google Workspace Tips for Teachers

The start of the new school year is almost upon us and with it, brings the opportunity to set yourself up for success for the year ahead. Whilst you might be occupied with making sure your physical classroom is set up just as you want it, it’s important not to neglect your digital space as well. 

Imagine starting the school year with a clean and organised Google Classroom, that’s ready for your new students, your Google Drive easy to navigate based on your preferences and your Google Calendar perfectly set up from day one.

All of this can be yours as we’re here to help you get organised and streamline your digital work life so you can have a stress-free year. 

Google Classroom: The Key to a Smooth Start

If you didn’t get a chance to clear down your Classroom before the summer break, then now is your chance to do so. After you’ve marked and returned any outstanding assignments, make a copy of your classroom to prepare for the new year.

But don’t just leave it as an empty space – instead, think about what posts you could add in advance so that your students have everything they need from day one.

You can also think about features such as the Stream and how you want to use it this year. All of this helps set the tone for how your students will engage with your Classroom over the coming months. 

Google Drive: Declutter and Organise

It’s easy for Google Drive to get wildly out of control! So take the time to draw up a plan to organise your files in a logical structure. Your folder structure doesn’t need to be overly complicated – in fact, the more simple the better as it will be easier to maintain and for you to use. 

Also consider how you actually use Google Drive – are you still relying on the ‘Shared with me’ section to find files? If so, then it’s time to make a change and add these to your own Drive so you can move them into your new folder structure.

Google Calendar: Plan Ahead Like a Pro

There have been many updates to Google Calendar over the years – it’s not just a place to keep track of meetings! Instead, take full advantage of the features and turn it into your personal time management tool.

Make sure regular meetings are set as recurring events, add in your timetable and take the opportunity to explore features such as Tasks and Focus Time to truly create a calendar that accurately reflects your school week.

Ready to Dive In?

We’ve got plenty more tips and suggestions so we’ve created a detailed checklist that will guide you step-by-step through getting your Google Classroom, Drive and Calendar ready for the new academic year. By using this checklist, you can make sure you are feeling organised and prepared before your students come back into the classroom. Complete the form below to get access:

Start the School Year Confident and Organised

Ensuring both your physical and digital spaces are set up as you want and need them, can make a world of difference. By taking the time to clean up your Google Classroom, organise your Drive and optimise your Calendar, you are setting yourself up for a smooth and stress-free year ahead. Not only will it save you time, but it will help you focus on what matters most – teaching and inspiring your students.