In the spirit of reducing our photocopying and prolonging the life of our trusty Canon Copier, today’s Tech Tuesday Tips focus on how you can use several digital tools to eliminate extra paper in your classroom.
Please note, these tips are based on my personal opinions on what I consider “extra” or “unnecessary” paper and in no way I am devaluing their use in paper format. Also, all tips are things I would do in both my regular classrooms and my computer labs.
This post is also long and consists of 3 parts:
Reducing extra paper you give out
Reducing extra paper you collect in
Reducing assessment related papers
Read all 3 or Scroll Down and read just the one(s) that interest you.
Course Outlines and other information-only materials: Course outlines are one of those really important documents we all seem to spend at least half an hour discussing at the start of each class, each semester and yet never seem to refer to them again. Are they important? YES. Do they need to be copied, on coloured paper, for every student. Not Really. Course Outlines, along with course schedules and other random information sheets can all be left in digital format for students to look at or download or print off at their own convenience.
Here are two ways you can make sure all students have access:
Today’s “drag-n-drop” website builders are getting simpler to use and nicer to look at by the month.
My number 1 recommendation is the NEW Google Sites. Up until this school year I would never have recommended Google Sites however it has recently gone under some major changes and is now one of the nicest and simplest website tools to use (sometimes a bit too simple). If you are already using Google Drive to store your documents and have a GAFE account it’s even easier.
To find The NEW Google Sites:
Go to www.sites.google.com
Sign in with your GAFE account
Click on NEW Google Sites (bottom of the left menu)
Create your site.
Your new site will now show up in your Drive so it will be easy to access anytime.
I still need to update the EdTech Support Website with more information on the New Google Sites (which was created using this very tool) but for now check out one of the few tutorials I could find below
Don’t want to try Google? Another popular website tool among teachers is Weebly. Check it out here.
Not into creating a website? Another option is to just use Google Drive.
Here’s how I would share documents with a class without creating a website:
Sign into Google Drive using your GAFE Account.
Create a NEW folder in your Google Drive for your class
Rename it - Example: Accounting 11 Shared Documents
Share that folder with your students.
Right Click on the Folder and Select SHARE
Look up their accounts in the GAFE address book by simply typing in their names and add students yourself OR
Have them do the work for you by typing in their own addresses at your computer
IMPORTANT: Make sure you select the Share Setting ‘CAN VIEW’ so that students can’t edit any of your documents
Put copies of any materials in your folder.
I would suggest you “Make a Copy” of your originals > Right Click on the document > Select “Make a Copy”
Use the copy in your shared folder rather than the original as an extra precaution
Once documents are added to your Shared Folder all students you have shared it with can now view them. Simple as that!
Most written project work for students is done by creating a typed document or presentation of some kind. If you have been collecting printed off versions of these reports and think you might be open to collecting and marking them digitally this section is for you.
Just as you are able to share documents with students with Google Drive, they can also do the same with you. It’s actually even easier.
Have students create their original document or presentation within Google Docs or Google Slides
To SHARE: Students click on the blue Share button (top right) within their document > Type in Your Name > Select your sd61learn account > Select DONE
You will now to see their project in your Shared Folder in Google Drive (and will be sent a notification email)
Alternatively, if they have used MS Word or PowerPoint they will need to upload these documents into their Drive Accounts first
To UPLOAD: Students open Drive > Select NEW (top Left) > File Upload > Select the file from their computer > Wait for file to upload into Drive.
To SHARE: Student right click on the Word/PowerPoint file in Drive > Select Share > Type in Your Name > Select your sd61learn account > Select DONE
You will now to see their project in your Shared Folder in Google Drive (and will be sent a notification email)
Assessment Tip: I would suggest using the Comments Tool (top right next to the blue share button) to easily assess and provide feedback.
If you use Rubrics or Marking Guides for collected work (digital or not) completing and returning these in digital format will definitely save a lot of paper.
Create a new Folder in Google Drive for your assessment and name it appropriately.
Add your assessment document to the new folder by dragging it there.
Within the Folder Right Click > Make a COPY of the assessment for EACH student in your class
This will be a bit time consuming as there is no shortcut I know of
Open each copy one at a time:
First, RENAME the document by adding the student’s name
Click in the document title to change it
Assess the students work
the text highlight tool works great for rubrics or add comments directly into the document.
When Done: SHARE it back with the student
Select the blue SHARE button
Type in the student’s name > select their GAFE account > Select Done
If you use Exit Tickets or informal mini Quizzes to check for understanding I would highly recommend you try using Socrative. Socrative is a website where you can create mini online assessments for students and see their responses in real time. Students can login in on any internet enabled device (example: cell phone) by simply entering a given Teacher Classroom Code. No login or password for them. You will want to login using your GAFE account to save assessment information however.
Here’s how you can use Socrative for an easy Exit Ticket or Quick Check for Understanding:
Go to www.socrative.com on your computer
Select Teacher Login
Sign in with Google
Write your Room Code on the board - it will be on the top of your screen and it NEVER changes for your account.
Select Exit Ticket or Quick Question Choice
Verbally give students the question or write it on the board
Wait for their responses
Have students Login is as follows:
Students go to www.socrative.com
Select student login
Type in the Room Name
Wait for you to start
Answer the posed question
You can also use Socrative to create more detailed quizzes ahead of time and launch those when needed.
Socrative is one of my favourite tools and more information can be found on the EdTech Support Page.
Last but not least I couldn’t leave this post without mentioning Google Classroom.
Need a website to share documents or schedules? - Google Classroom can do that.
Want to have students submit their assignments online? - Google Classroom creates an organized space for them to do so.
Want to create digital assessments for each student? - Google Classroom will make the copies for each student for you!
Want to poll the class or ask a quick question? - Google Classroom now has a Create Question Post option.
I will save my many many wonderful ideas and thoughts on Google Classroom for another time. If you’re interested in Google Classroom now however, check out the page on the EdTech Support Site!