Google Classroom - Email Teachers

[Cache]

Hi

 

We've setup Google Classroom, however we use Office 365 for emails - I'm getting asked about emailing students/teachers from within Google Classroom however because GMail is disabled, it doesn't work.

 

If I enable Gmail, I assume it won't effect external email going through to Office 365? I'm also assuming that mail sent from Gmail will fail the SPF check, but where will the Google Classroom messages end up? Will they go to Office 365 or will they stay within Gmail/Gsuite?

 

Any help as to the best way to fix this would be appreciated!

 

Thanks

[mavhc]

I'm surprised it failed if gmail wasn't enabled. When sending an email it does an MX record lookup, so sends it to O365.

 

Add google to your spf https://support.google.com/a/answer/33786?hl=en

[Cache]

All it says is that Gmail needs to be enabled in order to use the Email Teacher/Student feature.

 

I really want everything to carry on working through Office 365 for email and not confuse it with Gmail and fielding questions as to where the email is/has gone to/reply.

[Michael]

Have a look at this: https://support.google.com/a/answer/2685650 this is the closest Google have come - Split Delivery

[mavhc]

I'd just enable it, won't affect your actual email

[Primus]

Trying to use some of O365 and some of G Suite whilst possible is a recipe for disaster - pick a product and stick with it

[mavhc]

The only real problem is the split between gdrive and onedrive. It's annoying that both have an option to create new files in 3rd party systems, but neither support the other. I use both fine though.

[Primus]

The only real problem is the split between gdrive and onedrive. It's annoying that both have an option to create new files in 3rd party systems, but neither support the other. I use both fine though.

 

It's by far not the only problem and of course you have no problem using different systems - you're IT Support! A normal user is going to become very confused at using part of O365 and part of G Suite.

[Chaniel]

We're currently using both systems, students are fully G suite only, staff use Office 365 for outlook and (some depts) teams, but are synced across to G Suite, all work set on Google Classroom etc.

 

Gmail is enabled for our staff as well so that they can use the email class function or to email students. Works perfectly fine with no issues, staff can send emails from gmail with no issues but any responses go to their outlook inbox. There has been no confusion for staff, but we don't use OneDrive, only Google Drive.

 

If you wanted, you could see if Salamander can sync your classes to O365 distribution groups if you don't want to enable Gmail. You could then have it so all these distribution groups were in different exchange address lists for staff to search between (rather than having 100s of groups added to your GAL). Fairly certain salamander could do that.

[ITGuyNW]

Trying to use some of O365 and some of G Suite whilst possible is a recipe for disaster - pick a product and stick with it

 

Try telling that to SLT..

[mavhc]

Picking one product and sticking with it is how we had everyone just using Windows for decades. Now we have iOS and Android and Mac OS and Linux.

 

Same with IE.

 

"Sorry, you can't use the best tool available, we picked an alternative company a decade or 2 ago"

 

There's a reason GSuite and O365 are free, they're trying to lock you in.

[Cache]

Try telling that to SLT..

 

Exactly this in this case and in any case, we're now a week in to using it so to rip it out and start again in teams is going to cause far more problems.

 

Like everyone else, I'm merely trying to make the best of what we can.

[k-strider]

I’m starting to get asked the same questions we have an on-prem exchange for email and i was considering migrating it all to o365, but if classroom continues to be dominant after all this is over i may well migrate the email over to gsuite I was just about to ask a very similar question for enabling gmail so they can email their classes I will look at split delivery but I don’t want to break anything at the moment with everyone working remotely

[Michael]

I've tested this, see if it works for you -

 

Scenario - A domain configured to use O365 - Exchange Online MX and SAML configured to provision users from Azure. G Suite tenancy with Gmail enabled (it is by default).

 

Sign into G Suite > Apps > G Suite > Gmail

 

Select 'Hosts' > 'Add Route'

 

Name: Exchange Route

 

1. Specify email server

 

Single Host

smtp.office365.com:587

 

2. Options

Perform MX lookup on host (ticked)

Require secure transport (TLS) (ticked)

Require CA signed certificate (unticked)

 

Click 'Save'

 

Select 'Default routing' > 'Add Setting'

 

1. Specify envelope recipient to match

Select: 'All recipients'

 

2. If the envelope recipient matches the above, do the following

 

Select 'Change route'

Change 'Normal routing' to 'Exchange Route'

 

Click 'Save'

 

Navigate to the 'Exchange Admin Center' https://outlook.office365.com/ecp/

 

Select 'Protection' > 'Spam Filter'

 

Edit the Default policy and add 'classroom.google.com' to the allowed domain list.

 

Navigate to Google Classroom and add a student. They should receive an email in Exchange Online. Likewise create an assignment or quiz and they should also receive an email in Exchange Online.

 

As a suggestion, use two browsers/computers for this test.

 

Overall I'm happy with this solution, but not overly happy adding a domain to allowed spam lists. Rather specific email accounts such as for Scan to Mail functions. Let me know how you guys get on!

[Michael]

Solution (final requirement), navigate to your domain registrar and amend the following:

 

v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all so it now reads: v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com include:_spf.google.com -all

 

You can safely remove classroom.google.com from the allowed domains list.

 

Assignments, Quizes and individual emails sent to pupils all work. My only observation are that emails sent from G Suite can take anywhere from 10 > 40 seconds to arrive in Exchange Online!