Co-Hosts
The host of the Google Meet can now add up to 25 co-hosts to a Google Meet. The co-host will have all the functionality of the host including muting and removing participants as well as creating breakout rooms and controlling the additional activities including polls and Q and A. Any recordings or attendance files will be sent to the main host.
To designate a co-host, click on the three dots beside their name in the people tab of your Google Meet. Select “Grant Host Controls”
Unpin your presentation while presenting
When you are presenting in Google Meet, your presentation takes up most of the screen. This means that you cannot see your whole class. Now, you can ‘unpin’ your presentation. Your presentation box will then be the same size as the rest of your participants in the Meet, and you will be able to see your whole class while you are presenting.
To unpin, hover your mouse over your presentation in Google Meet. Then click the unpin button.
Moving between tabs
When you are presenting a tab in Google Meet, you can now easily present a different tab. You can do this by clicking on the “Share this tab instead” which will be at the top of your screen.
As well, if you are presenting a tab and wish to quickly return to the Google Meet tab, you can select the “View tab: meet.google.com” button.
Google Forms
Google forms now have an auto-save feature. This means that when logged in to a board account, the user can return back to the form and anything that was previously filled out will be saved. This will give you and your students peace of mind when using Google Forms for assessment. Prior to this feature, all work would be lost if there was a disruption in the internet connection or the student navigated away from the page.
Any information that is filled on the form will be saved for 30 days, or until the form is submitted. An overview of this feature can be viewed in this video.
Google “Rooms” will be Google “Spaces”
Google “Rooms” which is available through Google mail or through Google chat, will soon be called Google “Spaces”. Spaces are a great way to communicate with your colleagues. Spaces is a great way to collaborate with teams as it allows you to send messages, assign tasks, share files, and have Google Meets.
You can easily create a Google Space in your Gmail window. On the bottom left side of your screen, simply click the + sign beside “Spaces”. Then you can add the individuals who will be a part of your space.
Simply click the “Files” or “Tasks” tab to add files or assign tasks.
Tasks can be assigned to the entire “Space” or it can be assigned individually. Due dates can also be assigned to tasks.
By clicking on the “Files” tab, you can choose to add files to share with your group. As well, any files that are shared in the chat tab will be listed on this tab. A great way to organize files for the space!
Google Contacts
Google contacts can be accessed through the side panel in your Google Mail. Now, when you search for a contact, you will get some very useful information regarding this contact. You can see a list of past email correspondence with that contact. As well, you can quickly create a calendar event, a Google Meet, a chat message or an email to that contact using the icons shown.
Google Classroom
Google Classroom has the ability to schedule announcements, material and assignment posts as well as other items. Since you should not be posting any material in your ‘off weeks’, the ability to schedule these items can help you with your planning and organization.
When you are creating the item, simply click on the drop down arrow beside the ‘Assign’ , ‘Post’’ or “Ask” button.
Then select “Schedule” and select the appropriate date/time. The item that you just created will not be visible for the students until that date/time.
