A teacher wants a simple and straightforward location for parents to share student work. Additionally, the teacher wants to be able to provide feedback in a manner that is also simple & straightforward.
This teacher has not used Google Classroom enough to have students submitting work -- OR -- the work is best captured via photos -- OR -- students are providing evidence in photo form.
Utilize the student’s school Google account (&/or the parent’s personal Google account if possible) to create a Google Photos album! The teacher creates an album for each student, shares it to the students’ account - as well as a parent w/a Google account, if possible - and encourages parents use this album to add photos of the student & his/her work! This Google Photo album allows the teacher to receive notifications and allows commenting on the work. Parents, in turn, receive notifications when the teacher comments and can allow a flow of communication.
*Bonus* sharing with the student’s school Google account means work lives within the student’s “school” person and can be used both at home AND at school, making it a very simple e-portfolio!
Click the + to “Create album”.
Name the album.
Suggestion: create an easy naming convention & repeat for all students.
Click the “share link” in the upper right corner.
This will allow you to add in the student’s Google account.
Suggestion: include any parent who also has a personal Google account at
this point.
… continue
Include a message to give a short explanation.
Suggestion: It would be wise to have communicated this out in advance.
Some parents will not have personal Google accounts. It’s ok! Send them an email and ask them to log into Google Photos with their child’s school Google account. This keeps it simple - and all of the pictures stay with the student account.
Suggestion: You could have a spreadsheet of parent emails as well as a standard message to copy & paste in Step 4.
This WILL take time, BUT once it is set up it will allow for quick & effective feedback for even the youngest learners.
On a computer … go to photos.google.com . Log in with the students’ Google account provided by your teacher. Click on “Sharing” on the left side. It should have the red dot on it.
Click on the album with your child's name.
Click on the “world’s skinniest snowman” in the top right corner.
Choose “Show in Albums”. This will now allow your album to show when choosing the “Albums” on the main Google Photos page.
Take pictures & share away!
Need help?
Click here!
Download the Google Photos app on your phone via your app store.
Log in with your child’s school Google account.
Use the app to upload & share your child’s work with their teacher.
Watch for notifications as the teacher comments on your child’s work.
Help video
Need help?
Click here!
Take pictures & share away!
Go to photos.google.com . Log in with your personal Google account, if necessary. Click on “Sharing” on the left side. It should have the red dot on it.
Click on the album with your child's’ name.
Click on the “world’s skinniest snowman” in the top right corner.
Choose “Show in Albums”. This will now allow your album to show when choosing the “Albums” on the main Google Photos page.
Need help?
Click here!
Take pictures & share away!
Download the Google Photos app on your phone via your app store.
Log in with your personal Google account.
Use the app to upload & share your child’s work with their teacher.
Watch for notifications as the teacher comments on your child’s work.
Help video
Need help?
Click here!
Take pictures & share away!
By taking photos & sharing them via Google Photos (you can use EITHER the app -- OR -- the computer … it all goes to the same place, so you can do either one), you will share your child’s work with their teacher. The teachers will then comment on the photos & parents will receive notifications. Parents can then share the comments with their child, allowing there to be communication between home & school.
By using Google Photos, teachers will receive the photos AND be able to easily comment on the work and notify the parents in response. When the teachers notify the parents, parents can share with the students.
This Google Photos album will create a digital portfolio for each student. Since it is connected to their school Google account, any work curated will “live” with their school account. Comments will also provide immediate feedback.
By using Google Photos, students will be able to share their work - with both parents AND teachers. Commenting allows students to “hear” the teachers thoughts as well as respond.
You could go ahead & share this entire slide deck with parents … but it’s quite a bit more information than necessary for them.
I’d suggest downloading the slides your parents specifically need and only share that one or two.
You are welcome to make a copy of this for yourself and modify it to fit your specific needs.
I really think this idea is a low-tech way to connect students & teachers, especially during this distance learning time. BUT -- I also believe Google Photos is an untapped possibility for digital portfolios for our students.
If I can be of help, please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact me.
After all …
We are better, together!