Educators have a plethora of ed-tech tools to choose from when it comes to classroom engagement, but in many cases, students spend time learning a new tool that has no benefit to them once they leave high school. While some of these resources and apps can still prove useful throughout a student’s education, many teachers have transitioned to tools that will be accessed beyond the classroom, both in higher education and in the workplace, building successful college and career readiness.
Google Workspace continues to be a hub of tools many employers utilize for productivity and creativity, so it seems like a natural fit to use these programs in the classroom with students to maximize learning in the classroom.
Let’s explore five ways secondary educators (grades 6-12) can utilize popular Google Workspace programs in their classrooms:
Use Google Slides to Strengthen Presentation and Collaboration Skills
It’s common practice for students to prepare classroom presentations both individually and in groups, which helps develop confidence in everyday skills like public speaking, research, summarizing content, using multimedia content, design, and more. Using Google Slides as part of an assignment or presentation helps students to develop real-world skills, equipping them to be more career and college ready after graduation. By gaining experience now, students can strengthen their ability to apply multimedia content as well as other key skills like graphic design and messaging–all applicable to both college and career readiness.
A key benefit of Google Slides, and all other Google Workspace tools, is the ability to create, store, and share presentation content in the cloud (Google Drive), so students do not need an extra program or app to work on their assignments. This allows for flexibility of being able to access presentations from school, the library, or at home, on any given device with the comfort of knowing files are automatically saved and everyone has access to the latest version. Students can collaborate with their peers and get real-time feedback from teachers.
Some tips for implementing Google Slides include:
- Use pre-created templates for initial assignments until students are more comfortable with the technology
- Use the jigsaw method to break up assignments and assign certain tasks to individual students
- Set interim timelines and provide feedback along the way
- Model Google Slides on your own instruction
Leverage Google Forms to Collect, Analyze, and Share Data
Google Forms are a great tool when it comes to classroom instruction and can be used to assess students, collect feedback, generate sign up forms, and much more. But taking this tool even further, many educators are having students utilize this resource to generate content, collect data, and analyze results. And while those alone are great real-world skills for students and increase classroom engagement, students are accessing a popular tool that’s used in many businesses and universities, giving them a leg up on future readiness for their lives after graduation.
Examples of Google Forms for student use include research projects where students create real-world surveys to collect and analyze data. They might also use Google Forms to assess the learning of their peers after a classroom presentation. The possibilities are endless and by allowing students to help design surveys and content, they become more engaged in the learning itself and allow their learning to flourish.
Some tips for implementing Google Forms include:
- Give students a choice when it comes to creating and developing Google Forms and let them be creative - as long as it meets the needs of the instructional lesson
- Model Google Forms in your own instruction and for a variety of purposes so students can see how robust of a tool Forms can be
- Have students test forms before utilizing them in a larger group to ensure they have been designed and implemented correctly
Write and Share Group Reports with Google Docs
Google Docs is Google's versatile word processing tool that allows users to create and edit documents with other users in real time. Edits are tracked by the user making the edit, which is then transmitted to the page for all the other collaborators to see.
Google Docs is a great tool to use for assigning students group project reports, since Google's cloud-based document storage allows students to access the document from their home computers or at school without the need for thumb drives. In fact, most of these previously discussed Google Workspace tools can be used collaboratively, encouraging students to use their newly-found skills across a variety of Google tools, fostering enhanced thinking and learning.
Some tips for implementing Google Docs include:
- Assign a project report through Google Docs and have the students collaborate on their paper from home by sharing the document via their Google accounts
- Have your students open a Google Document in Microsoft Word at school (should your school have access to Word)
- Have students turn in their paper assignments by PDF, RTF, and .DOC to have them familiarize themselves with Docs' supported file formats.
Collaborate in Real Time with Google Chat
Google Chat (formerly Google Hangouts) can allow students to collaborate online in real time through text, audio, and video means–great for online or hybrid classroom settings. This allows them to talk about projects or assignments, answer questions or prompts from teachers, check for understanding on homework, and much more.
Google Chat prepares students for real-world jobs where they will be required to work with remote teams and to manage conversations using digital tools. It helps improve their communication and clarity and is a great tool to build collaborative skills.
Some tips for implementing Google Chat include:
- Provide prompts to get conversations started
- Model effective communication in your own responses and questions
- Monitor conversations closely, ensure appropriate use, and make sure chats stay on topic
Utilize Google Sheets to Organize and Calculate Numbers from Simple Math to Financial Planning
Google Sheets is one of the programs with the highest rate of use in workplaces across the globe, and by utilizing this with students now, they will be able to easily transition into college or career spaces with ease and confidence.
Students can utilize Google Sheets to compute simple math, budgets, and data amongst other data-driven tasks. Teachers can have students use Google Sheets to create timelines, roadmaps, portfolios, or deadlines for upcoming projects, or simply learn the tool’s built-in intelligence for faster data insights. Google Sheets can be a well utilized tool to help students compile large amounts of research or notes. It complements Google Forms and Google Workspace’s other platforms nicely, allowing students to sort data and translate their findings into creative drawings or graphs for presentations.
Some tips for implementing Google Sheets include:
- Provide templates and examples of how Google Sheets can be used to support projects
- Model the use of equations and other functions within Google Sheets
- Utilize commenting and editing tools to provide feedback directly in the platform for students to see where they can improve
Many schools are working to make sure their students are prepared for what awaits them in the workforce. What they might not realize is that they already have some of the best tools available to help these students succeed right in their own classrooms. By adding a Google Workspace plan to their school, educators can bring the workplace into their classroom and allow students to experience real-world work tools first-hand. This can be crucial for preparing young adults for life after graduation, no matter where that path may lead them.
Google Workspace tools enhance 21st-century skills such as communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. As students become proficient in these tech tools, they can choose to test their knowledge with a Google Workspace Certification sure to get them noticed by future employers and higher education institutions.
By giving students access to the tools that are used in everyday life beyond the classroom, educators are preparing students for a bright and effective future. Tosa can help.
