A simple but effective use for Google Docs in class

Google Docs is a very powerful suite of software, and there are many great uses in the classroom. The real power over the more traditional Microsoft office package is the ability to collaborate in live time. Here I share one way I have started to use Google Docs in my class. All you need is a laptop (or other device) connected to a projector, and a phone or tablet with the Google Docs App installed.

I use this activity when students are working independently or in groups, and I am circulating to talk with them or check their work.

Start by opening up a new Google Doc document (or if you prefer a Google Slides document) on the laptop, and project the blank document.

On you phone or tablet, open the Google Docs (or Slides) App, and open the document you have projected.

When you see a particularly good piece of work, or an example of a common misconception you would like to address with the whole class, simply press the edit button in the bottom right corner, then click the + symbol in the top right, and choose Image, then From Camera (see screenshots of iPad screen below).

This will open your Camera App, and you can take a picture of the piece or work, and it will appear on the Google Doc, projected within seconds.

The whole process is over in about 30 seconds, and then you have an example of student work on the screen. You can leave this as an example, or bring the class together to talk about the work.

Once the lesson is over, you can then share this document with all students in the class, so they all have a record of the excellent work identified, as well as any common misconceptions (if you do use these, it is worth typing a note for each saying it is a misconception, and also taking a photo of the correct approach afterwards).

A slightly different way to use this is to have students themselves add images of their work. This is best on a Google Slide document, where each student has their own slide to add to. If you do this, you will need to share the document so all students can edit it before the activity.

I have found this a great way to quickly allow all students to see a piece of work, and for me to use it as a teaching point, either to demonstrate excellent work or to address a misconception.