Teaching with technology is a latest trend and there are several ways to use technology like Tablets, Blogs, Google Plus and even Twitter to make teaching interesting and easier. Google docs is one of the most technical and easy to use teaching techniques which can help promote group learning in students.
Google Docs is a section of the Google Drive which is basically cloud based. All kinds of documents like word, spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation and image editor can be used from the same place. It is more like the Microsoft office interface but has the added advantage that all changes are saved to the cloud file making it readily available online to any other user with whom the file is shared in real time. There is also a chat option which allows the collaborators to chat in real time and comments can be added to the document. All actions are saved automatically and they can even be saved manually.
These options of Google Docs is making it a favored technological tool in classrooms to make better interactions. There are several different ways by which Google Docs can be used to make the teaching environment easier and better.
- Collaborative Peer Reviewing
For graduate and post graduate level students weekly peer reviews can make use of google docs where the students can post their peer drafts into that weeks collection. The teacher and the other students can view these reports and suggest necessary changes. This will help in sharing knowledge and create a better competitive feeling among students.
- Submitting Papers
Usually students create the projects or assignments on paper and then submit it to the teacher. The processes can be greatly reduced by using Google Docs as a the intermediary mode of submitting papers where the students can submit their research papers and the teachers can check it online and suggest edits with the chat or comment section of Google Docs. The paper can even be made available for other students to see. This makes it possible for the student and the teacher to check the papers at any time.
- Reading Assignments
Students are given reading assignments mostly on a weekly basis. A log of these are maintained in a notebook. This can be made simple by using google docs and the children do not have to carry their several composition books. Students who are more idealistic can use it to write newer ideas as and when it occurs to them.
- Spreadsheets as Sign up Sheets
When the parents have to be informed of an upcoming parent-teacher meet or for any other information to be passed over to the parents, the spreadsheets can be used as a sign -up form. The parents can enter their time and the others can adjust the times accordingly. In the same manner, the teacher can also upload spreadsheets for allocating research topics where each students can tag the topic chosen by them so that others can easily know what topics are left for selection. Even simple matters like a program organization can also be informed to the students via sign up sheets.
- Communicating with parents
This can be very useful even for teachers of smaller classes whereby the teacher can keep the parents informed of the lessons taught, upcoming test papers, homeworks, assignments etc. Writing notes in each diary requires a whole lot of effort and this can be a better method of communication with the parents. A tracking sheet of the child's performance and homework status can also be shared with the parent. Google translation even allows the parent to view the details in the preferred language.
- Using Flash Cards
Children love interactive session and flash cards are used by teacher even to the kindergarten section. Such flash cards can be easily created in Google Presentations. The teacher can ask a question with a flash screen and then click the mouse to reveal the answer to see if the answer is correct. Small animations and more details about the item in the flash card can make the session even more interesting.
- Student assessments
In the beginning of the academic year the students are assessed to see that they have retained on what they have studied from the previous year. There are also monthly assessments conducted to keep the student replenished. Using Google Forms, the students can be assigned simple pop quizzes so that they are engaged and interested in the assessments and do not dread them. The forms can be so created that the scores are displayed and the teacher also gets the student answers into her spreadsheet.
- Book Records
The teachers are entrusted with the job of increasing the interest of the students in reading books. By creating an excel sheet with the author name, book title, student name and book summary by the student, it will make it interesting for the students to share their review about the books and this will also help the other students to choose the books. The teacher can even set reading goals per day and the students can enter the minutes spent reading each day along with the pages.
- Save teacher inboxes from filling up
When it is time for project or paper submissions the teacher usually has the inbox full with emails and attachments. This can be cleverly avoided by creating a spreadsheet with student name, project or paper name, and a box to enter the link to the project update on google docs. This will save space in the inbox and the teacher can keep track with the projects and make necessary comments on the project page on the student document sheet.
- Providing Submission templates
Usually when the students submit projects, assignments etc, each format differs from the other and this does not give an orderly look. By providing google templates for the students to begin with and also a sample assignment to show how it is to be presented, the teacher can ensure that all the submissions follow the basic template.
- Keeping up with Missed Class Notes
Students who become absent in class find it difficult to keep up with the missed notes. By making available such notes to the students via Google docs can be a good method to ensure that the student is updated with the daily notes even if he is absent so that he comes prepared for the class on his next school day.
There are several other hacks and innovative ideas for the teacher and the students to make use of google docs. The more the educational institutions make use of this platform, the better they will be able to understand it and come up with great ideas to make teaching easier and interesting.
