Google Suite
What is Google Suite?
Google Drive
Google Docs
Google Sheets
Google Slides
Google Forms
Google Sites
Google Jamboard
Why use Google Suite?
It’s free and available to all UCSC students, faculty and staff
Can be easily added to Canvas with direct access to google of faculty or student.
Easy to share between collaborators, add comments
Good web-based substitute for more traditional Microsoft Office softwares like Word or Excel, which students would have to download
Live updates / living document
Everything saved to cloud
Compatible with traditional Microsoft Office files, like .docx, .xslx, or .pptx
Google Drive in Canvas
There are several ways to make Google Drive files, documents, or sheets available in your Canvas course. You can add Google Drive as a course navigation item, directly embed or link to files, or use the Google Docs Cloud Assignment type in Canvas to easily provide document templates for students.
Enable Google Drive in course navigation
You can add Google Drive to your course by customizing your course navigation. The purpose of adding this is to make Google Drive files more readily accessible from within Canvas. A user that clicks on this item will access their own Google Drive. It is not a way for instructors to see their students' Drive files, or vice versa. Students will not be able to see your Google Drive documents and files — they will see their own Google Drive files.
More information: How do I view my Google Drive files in Canvas?
Adding Google Drive files in the Rich Content Editor (RCE)
You can add files from your Google Drive into Canvas with the rich content editor — allowing you to easily add files into Canvas announcements, pages, assignments and more.
How to add Google Drive files:
Click on the Google Drive icon from the formatting menu bar at the top of the rich content editor
Your Google Drive files will be shown — click the file(s) you want to add and select either Embed or Link.
Embedding will show the file inside Canvas
Linking will create a link to the file, the linked text will be populated from the name of the file.
Make sure that you have made the file accessible to
Google Docs Cloud Assignment
This assignment type is best used when you have a template or worksheet — type Google Doc or Sheet for students to work on and submit individually. Students will automatically get their own copy of the attached Google file, and they can submit these into Canvas. These assignments work with SpeedGrader, so teachers can easily access, annotate, and grade. Despite the name, this assignment type can be used with Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides. This assignment type does not work with Group Assignments.
How to set up Google Docs Cloud Assignment:
In Canvas, create a new Assignment. Under Submission Type, select External Tool. Click Find and locate and select 'Google Docs Cloud Assignment' from the alphabetical list.
From the window, select the template/worksheet you want the students to complete. It is important that the file is viewable/public — if students have messaged you about Access Denied issues, this is probably why.
Set other assignment options as desired and click Save. When students access, direct them to click on the title of the Google file so that a copy is added to their Google Drive account. When they click Submit, that same copy is submitted to Canvas in a static file type (.docx, .xlsx, .pdf — depends on the Google Drive file type).
What do students need to know about this assignment type?
Here's an instruction sheet for students that covers the basics of this assignment type.
Consider setting up a practice assignment worth little-to-no points to help students become familiar with the assignment type and troubleshoot any issues before incorporating these assignment types.
More information: How do I create a cloud assignment with a Google Drive file?
Google Drive
What is it? Cloud-based file storage that allows you to save files online and access them anywhere from any smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Why use it? You can use Drive on your computer or mobile device to securely upload files and edit them online.
Examples of Activity: Organize files, unlimited storage, all file types supported, collaborating (shared folders or files)
Google Docs
What is it? Word processor with formatting, styles and editing tools
Why use it? You can use Google Docs for collaborative note-taking, sharing of changing resources, group work (easy to suggest, comment, and assign tasks)
Examples of Activity:
Instructors — use for worksheets, homework, syllabus
Students — use for taking course notes, writing papers
Google Sheets
What is it? Spreadsheet program
Why use it? Use Google sheets to keep track of data, data visualization, office hour sign up sheet
Google Slides
What is it? Online presentation tool
Why use it?You can use Google Slides as a virtual background in Zoom or YuJa and for synchronous lectures
Examples of Activity:
Instructors — lectures, recorded lectures, lecture notes for students
Students — presentations
Google Forms
What is it? Survey-creation tool
Why use it? All entries are automatically fed into a spreadsheet + visualizations of answers
Examples of Activity:
Surveys and questionnaires
Google Sites
What is it? Web site/page creation tool
Why use it? Use Google Sites for easy to build websites, interactive content, group collaboration, clean way of showcasing a project, research findings, portfolio, or for instructors: create self-paced activities for your students
Examples of Activity:
Students — Portfolios, Project presentations
Instructors — Lab Reports, Liquid Syllabus
Google Jamboard
What is it? Whiteboard and sticky notes, up to 20 individual frames and 50 simultaneous users
Why use it? Use Google Jamboards for a livelier way to collect micro-contributions than Sheets or Docs
Examples of Activity:
Brainstorming activities, ice-breakers, concept mapping