Google Doc Comments Tip

 

Did you know you can attach a comment to a word or phrase in a shared Google Doc?  In a shared document, you can highlight the word or phrase you would like to make a comment on, select “Ctrl-Alt-M”, and place your comments in the comment box that appears on the right margin in line with the highlighted text.  The text will remain highlighted, and when selected, will highlight the comment box.  Within each comment box, there is an option for other viewers to reply to the comment allowing for ongoing collaboration regarding the content in the document.



 

Using Google and CMS to Streamline a Classroom Project

Problem:

A science lab testing the effects of pollution on a living organism.  Students need to research pollution types, create a hypothesis, test a variable, record data, and create a final lab report.  This is to be done in groups of three.  The kicker...we don't want to use any paper because this is an environmental science class!

Solution:

 Create a topic in your CMS course and outline what needs to be done for the project, day by day.  Include instructions, examples, and links to relevant content that will help your students.  Students do record their research in a Google Document, and use the research tool in Google Documents to assist them.  Students create their experiment data tables and charts using Google Spreadsheet, and insert the results into their lab report (created in Google Documents).  These items are then shared with the teacher through Google, or can be uploaded to CMS.

How We Did It:

 

It all started with the CMS page!  Below you will see a sample of what the resulting CMS page looked like once we were finished with it (click to enlarge the images).

[caption id="attachment_1211" align="alignnone" width="205"] Notice the break down of days, calendar, and checklist.[/caption]

 

Next, we have an image of the checklist that was created for this project.  This is an activity in CMS that allows a teacher to create a list of activities for students to complete.  Both the teacher, and students, and update the checklist and keep track of progress.

[caption id="attachment_1213" align="alignnone" width="300"] Checklist: dates added to the checklist will automatically be placed on the CMS calendar.[/caption]

 

The next image demonstrates what one of the "Day" pages looks like.

[caption id="attachment_1215" align="alignnone" width="178"] This page contains descriptive text, example images, and due date information.[/caption]

 

Once of the major advantages that this teacher found when using CMS for their project is the flexibility of the content.  He could easily change the Day Three page if something unexpected came up on Day Two (which did happen).  No longer was the text static on a handout, unable to be changed.  He did not have to explain a change in the packet, and hope that kids made the alteration on their paper.  CMS allows you to constantly change content based on you day to day experiences.

Next Up: Google Apps!

First, sample Google Document and Spreadsheet were created so that we could work through how students would create these documents.  This practice on our part allowed us to catch tricky steps that we would not have without going through the process ourselves.  These two documents could be shared with students in "view only" or "comment only" modes if you would like them to have a template in their Google Drive accounts, or (as was done in our case) you could take snapshots of important sections and insert them into your appropriate CMS pages.

[caption id="attachment_1218" align="alignnone" width="278"] A template can be used to give a model for students with explanatory details.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_1219" align="alignnone" width="300"] Note: To move a table or chart from Spreadsheet to Documents, you use the Web Clipboard.[/caption]

 

Students created a class folder (in this case, Environmental Science) and shared it with the teacher.  They then created their documents within that folder, and they were automatically shared.  They were given due dates throughout the project, with updated needing to be completed by 11:59 PM.  Using the Revision Tracker in Google Apps (File --> See Revision History), the teacher can see if progress was being made based upon their timeline.

In the end, using Google Apps and CMS made this project more streamlined, flexible, and easy to follow.  As an added benefit, around 160 pages of paper were saved!

 

Using Google Drive for Literature Circles

My 7th Grade Literature class was joined by Amber O’Day, Technology Coach, who partnered with me to get students organized in their Google drive and use Google Docs for an online literature discussion. She took the lead role on Thursday and guided each student to set up folders in their Google drive for our team and each subject. Each student also created a Lit. Circle folder within their Literature folder. A lead student was chosen, while others gathered around the computer to demonstrate how to create and share a document with others. After each group created a shared folder and document, I typed two discussion questions into the shared document.

On Friday, students returned to the shared document to answer the questions and respond to each other. Students began by keying in their name on a bullet under the question to answer and respond to one other student. Students were taught how to use the provided bullets and choose a font color for their answers. They were then taught how to respond to a group member with an indented bullet. This activity allowed them to work on writing good responses, as well as discuss their common novel.

Mrs. O’Day instructed the first two periods while I assisted. I took the lead for the 3rd period as she assisted me. I was able to do the last period on my own. Overall it was a very successful activity and reinforced the Google Drive/Documents terminology while working on writing and discussion objectives.

In addition to the Lit. Circle discussion, I also created a Google Form on books for the next Lit. Circle session. This form is located on my website if you want to take a look. After having the students fill out the survey, I met with Mrs. O’Day again and we will be tweaking it to make it a little easier to sort by hour and student name. Overall the survey made it very easy to place students in their new lit circle groups.

Mrs. Coyle – PJHS 7th Grade Literature Teacher