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Google Workspace Updates Weekly Recap - August 2, 2024

by | Aug 3, 2024 | News

3 New updates

Unless otherwise indicated, the features below are available to all Google Workspace customers, and are fully launched or in the process of rolling out. Rollouts should take no more than 15 business days to complete if launching to both Rapid and Scheduled Release at the same time. If not, each stage of rollout should take no more than 15 business days to complete.


More granular control for Google Apps Script
We're introducing a new toggle in the Admin console that adds controls for who can access and execute Google Apps Script scripts.
Users who have Apps Script turned on can use it to create, edit, and execute Apps Script scripts.When disabled, end users can't create or edit scripts and script and trigger executions are blocked. 
By default, Apps Script is turned on for all users in an organisation. To change this setting, navigate to the Admin console > Apps > Google Workspace > Drive and Docs > Google Apps Script. This setting will not take effect if the entire Drive and Docs Service is turned OFF. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains. | Available to Google Workspace customers | Learn more about turning Apps Script on or off for users.

Improving tables in Google Sheets

Following our announcement of tables in Google Sheets, we're excited to introduce improvements to the experience. More specifically, you can now: 
1. Add table rows (anywhere in a table) and columns (to the right of a table) from an easy button at the edge of a table. 
2. Automatically set column types when converting a range to a table.
3. Drag values down or across to auto-fill cells, which expands the table automatically.
4. Use spaces in table names, meaning you can name something "Project tracker" instead of "Project_tracker".

Rollout to Rapid Release domains for #2 is complete; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for August 5, 2024 | Rolling out to Rapid Release domains now for #1, #3 and #4; launch to Scheduled Release domains planned for August 14, 2024. | Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts. | Visit the Help Centre to learn more about using tables in Google Sheets. 

Google Meet annotation updates for mobile devices 
Earlier this year, we announced annotations for Google Meet, which made it possible for presenters and their appointed co-annotators to highlight content or make other notations over presented content. Beginning today, Android users can appoint co-annotators. Previously on Android devices, it was only possible for presenters to use annotations. | Rolling out now to Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domainsAvailable to Google Workspace Business Starter, Standard, and Plus; Enterprise Starter, Standard, and Plus; Frontline Starter and Standard; Essentials, Enterprise Essentials, and Enterprise Essentials Plus; Education Standard, Plus, the Teaching & Learning Upgrade; Workspace Individual subscribers. | Visit the Help Center to learn more about using annotations in Google Meet.

Previous announcements

The announcements below were published on the Workspace Updates blog earlier this week. Please refer to the original blog posts for complete details.
Catch up on following threads from the home shortcut in Google Chat 
We're introducing the ability to follow and review threads within the home shortcut in Chat. | Learn more about threads at home. 
Gemini in the side panel of Google Drive introduces a new PDF viewing experience 
You can now interact with the Gemini side panel while viewing PDFs. | Learn more about PDF viewing with Gemini. 
Allowlist and Audit Logs for URLs accessed from Google Apps Script and Google Sheets 
Admins can now monitor which URLs are being accessed by referencing new logs that we're adding to the audit and investigation page. Admins can then create an allowlist that controls which of those URLs they'd like to enable/disable. | Learn more about accessed URLs. 
Prevent downloading, printing, or copying files by combining Data Loss Prevention rules with Context-Aware Access conditions 
Today, we're expanding protections by enabling admins to combine DLP rules with Context-Aware Access conditions. | Learn more about combining rules and conditions.
Admins can now centrally set default grading settings for teachers in their district
Classroom admins can now centrally set default grading settings for teachers in their district using the Admin console. | Learn more about default grading settings.
Educators can now create new classes in Google Classroom using SIS data and import grading periods from the SIS
Teachers can now create new classes by importing information such as student rosters, co-teachers, grading categories, and grading periods from their SIS. Also, teachers can now import their grading periods from their student information systems (SIS) into Classroom. | Learn more about new SIS capabilities. 

Completed rollouts

The features below completed their rollouts to Rapid Release domains, Scheduled Release domains, or both. Please refer to the original blog posts for additional details.

Rapid Release Domains: 
Scheduled Release Domains: 
Rapid and Scheduled Release Domains: 

Paused rollouts

We have paused the rollout for this feature while we evaluate performance and quality. We will provide an update with new rollout information as soon as possible. 

For a recap of announcements in the past six months, check out What's new in Google Workspace (recent releases).  

Educators can now create new classes in Google Classroom using SIS data and import grading periods from the SIS

by | Aug 1, 2024 | News

What's changing 

In 2023, we introduced the ability for Google Classroom teachers to export grading periods to their Student Information System (SIS) gradebook. This helps education teams simplify student data management and complete administrative tasks faster. 
Today, we're excited to announce the ability for teachers to create new classes by importing information such as student rosters, co-teachers, grading categories, and grading periods from their SIS. Teachers can also pull this information into newly created classes in Classroom. Along with this, we're launching the ability for teachers to import their grading periods from their student information systems (SIS) into Classroom. Please note this feature is only available for customers using one of our current SIS partners, which will expand over time. 
Once an admin establishes a connection between their district SIS and Google Classroom, teachers can manually link new or existing Google Classroom classes to their SIS, then use the connection to import grading categories, import student rosters, import co-teachers, and starting today, import grading periods and create new classes using SIS data.

Getting started

Admins: This feature is available for domains connected to a SIS partner-Aspen, Infinite Campus, Skyward SMS, Skyward Qmlativ and PowerSchool. To enable the feature, go to http://classroom.google.com/admin. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about connecting your Classroom to your SIS. 

End users: If a SIS is connected by your admin:Teachers can import grading periods by going to classroom.google.com > select the class > Settings > next to "Grading Periods," click "Import from SIS."Teachers can import "full class" information by going to classroom.google.com > click "Create or join a class" > select "Create class" > in the pop-up window, click the down arrow and select your SIS class > check the items you want to import to the new class (e.g. students, co-teachers, grading periods, grade categories).Visit the Help Centre to learn more about using Classroom with your SIS and importing data from your SIS.

Admins can now centrally set default grading settings for teachers in their district

by | Aug 1, 2024 | News

What's changing

Classroom admins can now centrally set default grading settings for teachers in their district using the Admin console. When a teacher creates a new class in Classroom, these default settings are automatically populated for the class. 
Starting today, admins can set default settings for grading periods and later this month, they will be able to set default settings for grading categories and grading scales.
With this new capability, admins can make it easier for teachers to set up and maintain their classrooms, saving them time since they won't have to input grading settings for new classes they create. This will also ensure more consistency in grading settings for classes in a district. 

Getting started 

Admins: This feature will be OFF by default and can be enabled at the OU level by going to the Admin console > Apps > Google Workspace > Classroom > Default grade settings. Note: If any of the central settings need to be changed or deleted, you can do so in the Admin console as outlined above. However, any changes made to default settings will only apply to new classes going forward and not existing ones. Visit the Help Centre to learn more about setting default grading settings for teachers in your districts.End users: When a teacher creates a new class in Google Classroom, the settings defined by admins are automatically populated for the class. Teachers can still edit or delete these settings for their classes if they choose. Note: Any changes made by teachers will be specific to that class only and will not propagate back to the Admin console. 

Rollout pace 

Grading Periods 
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 31, 2024 
Grading Categories 
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 7, 2024  
Grading Scales 
Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on August 15, 2024 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
Education Plus 

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