UNIT 3: Have a (Mostly) Paperless Classroom

In this unit, you’ll learn:

• How Google Drive can be used for your own cloud storage
• How to upload documents to Google Drive
• How to create documents within Google Drive
• Tips for organizing your Google Drive
• How to collaborate using Google Docs
• Tips for using the Google Docs suite in your classroom
• How Classroom works with Docs and Drive

I will preface my experience with this unit by stating the biggest downside to using a cloud-based system to go paperless is when the wi-fi isn't strong or when the cloud gets laggy, and then your planned time goes out the window because half of your students can't access their work, or because students working collaboratively can't save since they all have hands in the cookie jar.  This is not a constant problem - but it needs to be anticipated in case it does actually affect your classroom, agenda, schoolwide activity.

What programs are key to using the cloud?

• Docs - standard/basic word processor document creator (basic in final format options)
• Sheets - standard/basic spreadsheet creator (basic in final format options)
• Slides - standard/basic slideshow creator (basic in final format options)
• Forms - more than meets the eye form creator
• Drawings - imaging program with potential
• Drive - cloud storage access to all of the above, as well as files you upload - almost limitless
• Classroom - cloud based collaborative classroom with ability to create/submit/assess assignments

Even if your school uses another Classroom style application (such as Schoology), everything else in the Drive is a wonderful addition to a tech-forward approach.  With Docs, students can work together even if they aren't in class together, and the teacher can see every keystroke.  Also, students that forget to submit work for a due-date can prove the work was done on time because of the timestamps on all of the keystrokes.  Not that it is a reason to allow late work, but it's a nice feature.  Creating forms for check-ins, exit slips, quizzes, tests, surveys (it keeps going on...), and having all of that data transfer immediately into a real-time spreadsheet is amazing!  Students can log in with a school email, which is automatically tracked, fill in info for the class (book log, media log, interest survey) and that sheet never has to be passed around to other students or lost on a desk.

Bringing in another teacher for a cross-content lesson, co-teacher, admin wants to see your class in action? Share the Folder for your class, and let them marvel at all of the data at your finger tips.  Your Data Team / PLC needs to keep SLO Goals for the year? Wants to compare to other years? Tech guy/gal at the main office retired and no one knows what to do with the piles of data? Aren't you glad you kept your own cloud records so you could query your heart out in meaningful inquires!?

Let's talk Differentiation...

Need to make three versions of a test? No worries!  Make the first version, copy it and edit for your second version, and again for your third.  Need to put video or images in one but not another? No problem! Each Form has it's own unique address, so the students that need it, and only the students that need it can have the right assessment! Want to share with the school, or post on social media for larger audiences? You can do that too!!!

Are you getting thirsty for the Google-Aid yet? It's tasty!