Google Docs Across the Curriculum

There are many ways to incorporate technology into the classroom.  I plan on covering each aspect of Google Drive one at a time and share some of my ideas with my readers. Today I’d like to examine the use of Google Docs and include some of my ideas for putting them to work in the everyday classroom setting. As many schools are orienting themselves as an online presence and the Common Core is directing students to have more online experiences it is imperative that we as teachers incorporate technology into our lessons.

Incorporating technology should be more than just having students watch or create PowerPoint presentations. The technology needs to be more viable and hands on than just copying and pasting information. I could rant for hours about this and not share any good ideas. I would much rather state some of my ideas for using this technology into the different core learning situations and encourage other educators to share theirs.

In the English Language Arts classroom Google Docs can be a great tool.  Independently students write essays and such using Google Docs then share with the teacher or classmates for peer editing. Along the right side of the doc editors may add comments and even see the editing history for the document. For teachers this is handy for monitoring student activity, input and adding guidance. Personally I have added guidance in several different ways. For example when I notice a student is struggling with tense or comma usage I have added links to YouTube Videos or other websites that help to clarify the issue. This truly puts the student in the driver’s seat with the teacher acting as the true “tour guide” to learning.  

Collaboration is a great feature of Google Docs. In the Social Studies, Government or History classroom. In these classes students could be assigned to compile a group “News Letter” with each group member assigned to research and report upon a particular place. Topics could be things such as Topography, Economy, Location, Politics, Climate… This could be adjusted according to grade level and CCSS.

In the Science classrooms students can work independently or collaborate to record experiments, observations, document processes, document outcomes by using words and pictures. (Google Sheets can also be used for this process but that will be covered in a different posting.) Once again teachers and co-collaborators can add input and direction by posting links, questions and redirection in the comments area of the document.

Math teachers also can put Google Docs to use in their classrooms. Word Problems come to mind very quickly but also students can describe the process, collaborate with each other while solving the problems and it is proven that writing out the steps to solving a problem helps clarify understanding and contributes to learning retention. Seeing that Google Docs are constantly updated and saved teachers can add input throughout the process. I suggest letting students take pictures with their cell phones and include them in the doc in order to illustrate the process of solving an equation or other mathematical process. 

The list of uses of Google Docs in the classroom is unfathomable and I have described only a few of my own. I would love it if other educators would share their ideas also.

Using Google Docs:  http://learn.googleapps.com/docs

Ms. Richardson’s Tech Resource Page:

Teaching with Technology