Using Google Apps in the Classroom
by Saul Wagner
There are so many apps to use in the classroom, no matter what subject you are teaching. Once you get the hang of them, apps can make an educator’s life a whole lot easier. There are lots of free Google apps for the classroom which can help teachers with everything from preparing quizzes, to grading group projects, to scheduling parent-teacher conferences and beyond.
Which apps should I be using in the classroom?
The most basic app which is fairly easy to use is Google Docs. As long as you students have Gmail, they can store all of their assignments in Google Docs, which enables them to work from any device. Docs can be shared among a group of students who are working on a project, and eventually handed in to the teacher virtually. This wonderful tool ensures that assignments never get lost, you never have to worry about students forgetting to write their names and you never have to carry home big stacks of notebooks.
Docs also allow students to collaborate easily. Each student can edit a document from their own device, while simultaneously viewing the changes that their peers are making. They can even chat within the document as they are editing. Alternatively, each member of the group can leave their comments and edits which are color-coded according to who is editing, so when their friends come back to look at it later, they can respond and decide whether they agree with the changes.
Are there apps for grading?
Google Docs is a great app to use in the classroom for teachers as well. To assess how well a group is collaborating, an instructor can get a record of the changes made on a document to see if the work is being shared equally. Google Sheets is another great app, which is perfect for keeping track of grades and attendance. Educators can even create equations which will average the final grades for them when report card time comes around. Spreadsheets can also be used for scheduling parent-teacher conferences.
What apps can students use to collect data?
Google Forms is a great app to use in the classroom, especially for collecting data. If students are learning about social science research and creating their own survey, they can easily use forms to streamline the whole process. Teachers can also use Google Forms to create quizzes which students can take on their tablets or even smartphones. With all of the answers collected in one place, it is easier to see which questions the class struggled with. Educators can even write formulas which will automatically grade the quizzes for them.
Is there an app to help keep track of assignments and tests?
With Google Calendar, it is much easier to make sure that students and parents know what the schedule is. A teacher can simply put all of the assignments, tests and events on a shared calendar which can be accessed from any device through a Google account. You can even set reminders about important events and dates. A shared calendar can also help faculty stay in the loop about special events and trips, and make sure that they don’t schedule too many tests on the same day.
Using apps in the classroom is a great idea. Today teachers are expected to know how to incorporate technology in education, and apps are one of the simplest ways to do this. In addition to all of the wonderful Google apps for the classroom, there is a whole world of apps out there for all kinds of specific subjects and needs.
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