After you have an email address that supports Google classroom, to set-up Google classroom is very easy and simple. You just need to use it correctly. Some advice would be to not use too many new apps all at once. Start with GC and then work though it and master how it works. You can then link your GC with more apps and other ways of teaching. There are also added advantages of then using other Google apps like Google docs with Google classroom as these apps integrate seamlessly.

Lastly, just remember that GC is your LMS and do not use it for tasks that other apps are more suited for. Also only use one App of a kind e.g., do not use more than one LMS.

You must use this platform for its purpose. I use GC as a method to submit work to my learners and for them to send me work back. I make a post with the learners’ instructions in and links to other content like videos, presentations, Google forms, etc.

Creating an assignment this way, it allows me to use the gradebook and rubrics feature so that learners can easily see where they will be awarded marks and I can easily share results with them.

Some advice would be that some teachers just use the stream tab in GC and do not utilise the classwork tab. This is unwise as most features then go to waste and GC is no longer used for its purpose. 

Lastly, we must not use Google classroom as a media repository that just shares presentations and videos, as Google Drive would be better suited for that.

We must avoid simply sharing instructions and then explaining content, assigning work, and allowing the learners to send work back. We must layer the content shared here with pedagogy. Make sure if you share a video that you used Ed Puzzle or another alternative so learners will pause videos and answer questions, etc. You can also use this way so that formative assessment can take place. 

You can share a Google Form you set up with a rubric so that learners can actively participate in summative assessments.

We have now already seen from our training thus far that creating synchronous videos and sharing that with our learners are not nearly as effective as the active learning alternative.

You need to create posts with material, assignments, etc. to allow learners a platform to receive and submit their work. WhatsApp is good for communicating with learners easily and immediately. This can also be done cheaply and requiring minimal data depending on use and sharing of files.

One should also not use WhatsApp for sharing of files alone as Google Drive would be better suited for this. 

Lastly, I think that WhatsApp could be used extremely effectively in conjunction with other educational apps.

WhatsApp has a lot of useful features such as cheap instant messaging, creating of groups, sharing small files, and doing cheap voice calling. These features can be implemented and used effectively with other apps including an LMS.