Google Workspace is a flexible suite of web-based programs that can support your teaching. You could use one or a combination of tools to enhance the learning activity or assessment. Have a look at the different examples provided here to inspire you to use the different Google Workspace applications in your teaching.
Google Drive is a cloud based file storage server that allows for safe file sharing, synchronisation, editing and collaboration. It contains a Workspace of Google Apps and other productivity tools that can be used to promote collaboration with others and has the capability to customise sharing permissions with individuals.
Just like other hard drives, Google drive can store anything from pictures, stories, designs, drawings, recordings, videos etc but the advantage of a Google drive is that you don’t have to remember to save changes as you edit. All changes are automatically saved and your revision history is easily accessible if you need to retrieve anything. Google Drive is also accessible from any device, such as your iPad,iPhone and laptop as long as there is an internet connection.
All Google accounts come with 15GB of cloud storage space free when an email account is created; however, more storage space can be purchased or your institution may have more storage space allocated to each enrolled student as part of their Google workspace.
Google Docs is the equivalent of a Word document. It allows you to create, edit and present text based documents. Docs allow for collaboration in real-time to occur. Document edits can be tracked, tasks can be assigned to others, permissions can be set and documents are saved within the web-based Google Drive. There are templates available along with the ability to customise documents by inserting tables, images, drawings and special characters.
Google Sheets allows you to create and edit spreadsheets. Similar to an Excel spreadsheet, Google Sheets allows for collaboration on one or more spreadsheets at the same time. It has the capability to create and apply formulas and functions which work across cells, rows and columns to calculate specific results.
Google Sheets allows you to share a spreadsheet and data with students or work colleagues. Google Sheets can be used to:
Google Slides is Google's version of PowerPoint. It allows you to design and share slide presentations with students or colleagues. Google Slides allows for collaboration on a single presentation which can be shared with the audience. The versatile inclusions offer variety and results in professional presentations.
Google Slides can be used in the classroom to:
Google Forms allows you to create surveys, questionnaires and quizzes which can be collaboratively edited and shared with others. The results are neatly summarised into a Google Sheets spreadsheet. There are ready made templates available and the ability to customise your questions is included. Multiple-choice or paragraph form questions are supported and images can be included. Results can be shared via email or via URL.
How can it be used in the classroom?
Google Forms can be created when administering surveys, questionnaires and quizzes in the classroom. Templates can be designed and applied continually for efficiency through units. Some examples of how Forms can be used include:
Google Sites is a powerful teaching tool used to build interactive websites for students to share information and collaborate on documents, videos, schedules, and more. Also known as a Wiki or wiki-page, Sites can be designed to suit the audience by using templates where announcements, file storage, lists and instructions are visible to the audience. Collaboration occurs at all stages of the creation and design process.
Sites can be used to support interactive activities as well independent tasks. The following suggestions allow for both independence and collaboration during the creation and presentation stages of group tasks.
