Teachers will soon be able to create a new class in Google Classroom using Student Information System (SIS) data

What’s changing

We recently introduced the ability to import data, such as student rosters, co-teachers and grading categories, from your Student Information System (SIS) to Google Classroom. 
In the coming weeks, we will be introducing a new feature that allows teachers to set up a Google Classroom class using information directly imported from an SIS, including co-teachers, student rosters and class lists, grading categories and grading periods. Please note this feature is only available with our current SIS partners
In preparation for the “full class” import feature, we advise admins to connect Classroom to their Student Information System (SIS) as soon as possible. Once the admin establishes a connection between their district SIS and Google Classroom, teachers will be able to use the connection to import data from their SIS to set up new classes or update existing classes when the feature launches later this quarter. 

Getting started 

Admins: Visit the Help Center to learn more about connecting your Classroom to your SIS. End users: Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Classroom with your SIS and importing data from your SIS. 

Rollout pace 

Full class import will be available in the coming weeks. We will provide an update on the Workspace Updates Blog when this feature becomes generally available. 

Availability

Available for Google Workspace:

Google Classroom now supports exporting grades and importing rosters and grade settings with PowerSchool SIS

What’s changing

Google Classroom teachers can now export and import select information via the new integration with PowerSchool SIS, a third-party student information system (SIS) that provides innovative K-12 software and cloud-based solutions to improve educational outcomes and simplify school operations. 
Once an admin establishes a connection between PowerSchool SIS and Classroom, teachers will be able to export grades from Classroom to PowerTeacher Pro Gradebook. Teachers can also import useful information, such as student rosters, co-teachers and grading categories, from PowerSchool SIS into Classroom. 

Getting started 

Admins: To enable the feature, go to http://classroom.google.com/admin > next to “Select your SIS,” click the Down arrow > select “PowerSchool,” > “Connect to Google.” Under “SIS Setup, click “Connect” > enter the OAuth credentials. Visit the Help Center to learn more about connecting your Classroom to your SIS. End users: If your admin has connected to your SIS: You can export grades by going to classroom.google.com > select the class > “Grades” > “SIS export.” You can import grading categories by going to classroom.google.com > select the class > Settings > “Grading Categories” > “Import from SIS.” You can import student rosters by going to the People tab > “Invite Students” > “Import from SIS”. You can invite co-teachers by going to the People tab > “Invite Teachers” > “Import from SIS”. The ability to import grading periods from your SIS and create a class using SIS rosters and settings will be available later this quarter. Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Classroom with your SIS, exporting grades to your Student Information System (SIS) gradebook and importing data from your Student Information System (SIS)

Rollout pace 

This feature is available now 

Availability 

Available for Google Workspace: 
Education Plus and the Teaching & Learning Upgrade 

Resources 

Import and export Markdown in Google Docs

What’s changing

In 2022, we introduced expanded support for composing with Markdown in Google Docs on web. Today, we’re introducing highly-requested features that enhance Docs’ interoperability with other Markdown supporting tools. These include the ability to: 
Convert Markdown to Docs content on paste Copy Docs content as Markdown Export a Doc as Markdown (from File > Download) Import Markdown as a Doc (from File > Open or “Open with Google Docs” from Drive) 

Who’s impacted 

End users and developers

Why you’d use it 

This update is particularly useful for technical content writers as they can now convert Docs content to/from Markdown. For example, developers can collaborate on software documentation in Docs and then export it as Markdown for use in other Markdown supporting tools. 

Getting started 

Admins: There is no admin control for this feature. End users:
The import and export options are ON by default.
The “Copy as Markdown” and “Paste from “Markdown” options will be OFF by default and can be enabled in Docs by going to Tools > Preferences > Enable Markdown.
Visit the Help Center to learn more about using Markdown in Google Docs, Slides, & Drawings.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 16, 2024 

Availability 

Available to all Google Workspace customers, Workspace Individual Subscribers, and users with personal Google accounts 

Resources

Use the Apple Volume Purchasing Program (VPP) to distribute apps for device enrollment and company owned devices

What’s changing

In November 2023, we announced the ability to purchase and distribute iOS apps to user-enrolled devices through Apple’s Volume Purchase Program. Beginning today, we’re expanding this functionality to include device enrollment and company-owned iOS devices.

Who’s impacted

Admins and end users

Why you’d use it 

Admins can use the Volume Purchasing Program to efficiently curate a suite of work-related apps—both free and paid—for their team. This streamlined process not only simplifies the deployment of essential business apps but also ensures that employees have access to the right apps they need to be productive and efficient, all within the secure perimeter of our MDM platform. To further streamline the enrollment and app distribution process, we’re automatically installing mandatory apps during enrollment for company-owned devices. This latest update makes it easier for admins to deploy apps across various device types in their organization.

Additional details

Please note that Apple ID sign-in won’t be needed in the company-owned iOS devices flow after configuring apps with VPP.
The automatic installation of mandatory apps during onboarding applies to all enrollment types and devices that violate mandatory apps compliance will be immediately blocked until the required app(s) are installed. 

Getting started

Admins: This feature can be configured at the domain, OU, or group level. Visit the Help Center to learn more about setting up company-owned iOS devices and distributing iOS apps with the Apple VPP.End users: Visit our Help Center for more information about how your iOS device is managed and getting approved work apps on your iOS device.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Gradual rollout (up to 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 9, 2024

Availability

Available to Google Workspace
Business PlusEnterprise Essentials and Enterprise Essentials PlusEnterprise Standard and PlusEducation Standard and Plus, and the Endpoint Education Upgrade add-onFrontline Starter and StandardCloud Identity Premium

Access Google Meet artifacts with a new Google Drive API scope

What’s changing 

We’re introducing a new OAuth scope for the Drive API: drive.meet.readonly. The new scope grants app access to read and download files from a user’s drive that were created or edited by Google Meet — this includes meeting transcripts, notes, recordings, and more. This granular level of authorization helps ensure Drive access is not provisioned too broadly and only the necessary files can be accessed.

Getting started

Admins and Developers: Use our Developer Documentation to learn more about configuring the OAuth consent screen and choosing scopes and Drive API scopes.

Rollout pace

Rapid Release and Scheduled Release domains: Extended rollout (potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility) starting on July 11, 2024

Availability