Resources for Teachers Teaching Remotely: Collaborative Tools like Google Docs

At Inspired Classroom, we advocate a blended approach to distance learning. That means using technology tools like Zoom video conferencing synchronously in combination with collaborative tools like Google docs, slides, and forms, asynchronously.  There are many great resources out there to help you. Students will need to have an email to access Google Drive. Click here for a short tutorial video from Google.

Google Docs are simply word documents that multiple people can access at the same time.  This link is a short ‘cheat sheet’ to help you get up and running if you are not familiar with creating collaborative projects. 

Here are some ideas for using the various Google tools in your virtual classroom.

Google Docs

1.  Collaborative Notetaking:  Set up your favorite method of note taking, for example, two column notes in a table. As you are conducting your virtual class, ask students to have the collaborative document on their devices and add notes to each important topic. 

2. Open ended discussion questions:  Either before or after the virtual lesson, create a Google Doc with ‘big idea’ questions that you want students to think about and respond to them as a virtual KWL chart. You can use the responses to go deeper, clarify or group students by learning needs.

3. Collaborative story writing:  Start with a prompt and let each student build the story as they go. You can set parameters of character, setting, plot or descriptive detail or factual evidence depending on the writing assignment. 

4. Collaborative book review:  Require all of the students to read the same article or book and write a collaborative review.  Break into virtual breakout rooms with the groups to discuss or create a virtual jigsaw activity or ‘one stays the rest stray’  if you have multiple books so that all students can get information about all books read.

Google Slides

1. Create a choose your own adventure story, two voice poems or e-book that students can add pages to.  Discuss the premise of the piece of literature and the types of visuals you are going to require by showing an example during a video conference. Then create a file for each group and let them collaboratively go to town!

2. For non-fiction information, ask students to build a ‘museum kiosk’. Define the components that must be in it such as: summary information, basic facts, interesting photos with captions, discovery activities, etc. Again, show an example during a video conference and use the virtual breakout rooms if you have them to let groups plan together before they get started.

Google Forms

1.  Google forms can be used for suveys, feedback, and tests all along the way.  Also, students can create a google form for others to fill out as part of an assignment.

For more great ideas and helpful Google Drive tips, check out 100 Ways to Use Google Drive and Google Student Projects

As always, Inspired Classroom wants to help you make the most of remote teaching.  We are here to help! Fill out the contact form or email us at: EducationTeam@inspiredclassroom.com

Resources: EDU On Air by Google

Google is starting a live streaming resource for educators! The first events will help administrators make sense of remote or distance learning.

EDU On AIR , by Google

Resources: More Great Resources from Google

Google, way to go! Thank you for helping educators make sense of the transition to teaching remotely. Here is a comprehensive resource blog on using Google products remotely:

Explore Distance Learning Resources for Schools Affected by COVID-19, by Google

Resources: YouTube Learning Hub

Have you checked this out, yet? I can definitely go down the rabbit hole looking at all the great content housed on the YouTube Learning Hub. As part of a blended classroom, using resources like these will enhance your student engagement. What videos are your favorites? Have you already used the Learning Hub with your students?

YouTube Learning Hub

Resources: Excerpt from Google CEO post with links to resources

Below is an excerpt from a post by Google CEO Sundar Pichai. It includes some great hyperlinks and resources! Here is a link to the full post.

Enabling productivity for remote users and students

As more employers have asked workers to stay at home to help slow the spread of COVID-19, we’re seeing more people using the premium features of Meet, our video conferencing app, which we made available to all G Suite customers at no cost until July 1, 2020. We’ve also shared tips and resources for remote workers of all kinds.

For educators around the globe, we’ve created new distance learning resources, including a collection of training materials, a new YouTube Learning Hub, and a series of blog posts and webinars. We're working with Google Educator Groups around the world, for example in Hong Kong, Japan and Taiwan, to provide local content from teachers for teachers. In Italy, we’re helping schools quickly get set up with G Suite for Education and are working to provide additional technical support through partners. We’ll continue working with educators to see what more we can do to help as they navigate the transition to distance learning.

For educators and schools facing closures, distance learning tools can help keep students engaged.

Tips and Tricks: Even without Internet at Home, Students can Keep Learning (by Google)

Equity of Access. Those three words keep popping up in my head. How do we continue to provide services to students in a way that is equitable? Google has outlined tips and tricks for learning at home even when there is no internet. As mentioned in previous posts, some schools are working on a lending program for computers and some internet companies are provided free internet.

Even without Internet at Home, Students can Keep Learning, by Google

Resource: 12 Virtual Museum Tours

This is a good one! Students can take virtual tours of 12 different museums when they are at home! https://www.travelandleisure.com/attractions/museums-galleries/museums-with-virtual-tours

How would I use this?

1. Virtual scavenger hunt

2. History or Art History Lesson: report out

3. Compare/Contrast: time periods, styles, cultural artifacts, etc.

4. Flipgrid discovery project

Tips and Tricks: How to Make a Video--Using your phone

There are three main ways to make a video for your students:

1. Using your phone

2. Using screen capture

3. Using a video animation or whiteboard program (We will share a resource later)

Sometimes, its a really good idea for students to see you teaching. It helps to build a sense of community and familiarity. Using your phone to record you is a simple, low tech way to build an on-demand video. The video we are sharing was originally developed by Inspired Classroom for student use. This is an excellent opportunity to allow for student-led projects. How could you use video as a way for students to respond to assignments?