Collaborative documents can be powerful tools to help groups work together, whether it's in a brief classroom breakout group or a long-term, multi-part project. In this first tab we'll go over the most common collaborative documents: Google tools like Docs, Slides or Sheets, and how they might be used in the classroom. In the other tabs we'll go over other tools, like Padlet and Miro, and share a Google Suite/Google Drive tutorial for folks just getting started with that program. Click on the tabs across the top to access more content!
Using Google Suite Tools in the Classroom
The power in collaboration docs lies in their ability to allow multiple people to view, access and edit them - simultaneously! In this area, Google shines for functionality and ease of use. Here, we'll present examples of ways to use these free tools in the classroom. If you are new to the Google Suite, we recommend starting with the Beginner's Guide to Google Suite/Google Drive in the third tab.
Google DocsLinks to an external site. are built for word processing. Like all Google Suite products, multiple people can access and edit at the same time, and documents can be shared multiple ways. Learn more about sharing options in the Beginner's Guide to Google Suite/Drive tab.
Google docs can be used asynchronously (for example, a group could collaboratively contribute to/edit a document over time).
They can also be a game-changer in a live class. For example, you could use a Google doc as a class agenda, to share group work instructions (this is important in Zoom, where students can't see instructions in a breakout room), or have students post discussion responses in a table.
Slides could be used asynchronously (for example, each group member contributes one slide to a presentation), but they can be a game-changer in terms of supporting a live class. Use them to share agendas and instructions, or assign each student group their own Slide to record and share their work. Some teachers use the Grid ViewLinks to an external site. to get a bird's-eye view of each group.
Sheets can be used if you want groups to solve problems together in a live class. Share a Sheet with problems or questions listed in one column. Groups "claim" a problem, solve it, and put their answer in a second column. While this might be a little wild, with many groups editing at the same time, the teacher will be able to see each group's progress. Here’s an example of what this might look like. Links to an external site.
Google Jamboard
JamboardLinks to an external site. is new to the Google Suite. It's an interactive bulletin board where students can post “sticky notes,” drawing, shapes and pictures.
Asynchronously, this could be used as a place to gather thoughts or ideas during a week - perhaps this is where students post questions, thoughts or even gifs/images in reaction to course content.
Padlet
PadletLinks to an external site. is not part of the Google Suite, but has similar sharing and collaboration capabilities. Like Jameboard, it is an Interactive bulletin board that is saved in the cloud, but it has far more capabilities. For example, in a Padlet you can:
Add text, images, video, links, attached documents (like a PPT, PDF, etc.), plus record video or audio.
add comments to posts
Set your Padlet to view only or invite others to collaborate.
The free version offers three Padlets, so you might need to ask students to create their own accounts.
Teaching with Padlet
Asynchronously Similarly to Jamboard, you could use it to collect questions or resources over a period of time.
Synchronously Groups could report out to the larger group by posting responses in a Padlet
Presentation of research: Individualscould create a Padlet on a given topic and share with classmates for comments.
Long-term groups could work together asynchronously, using a Padlet to share resources or build a presentation.
You can give students the ability to edit a page in your Canvas courseLinks to an external site.. However, if multiple people are editing at the same time their edits can overwrite each other. Depending on the task, a discussion board or Google Doc may be a better fit.
Beginner's Guide to Google Suite/Google Drive
Here are some things to know about Google Suite:
Every Google account comes with a multitude of free programs: Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, Draw, Jamboard, Calendar, Mail and more.
These programs and the documents you create live in the "cloud" - which means they are saved in a Google server, not your computer. They are organized in Google DriveLinks to an external site..
They save automatically - you never have to press "save."
You can download these files as a PDF. Some documents can be downloaded in a comparable Microsoft format (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, etc.).
You can control who sees or edits these documents.
In accordance with your settings, these programs can allow multiple people to access, comment on or edit a single document at the same time.
Through the comments feature, it allows annotation. Because people can respond to each other in the comments, a whole conversation can happen this way.
Because it's easier to demonstrate with a particular program, we'll show you how to share documents in the Google Docs section below. Once you've learned that, the process is fairly similar for the rest of the Google Suite programs.
Like all Google Suite programs, multiple people can access and edit at the same time - can be a bit wild with a big group, but everyone will always see the most updated copy.
You can share with individuals, or a larger group via link. Watch the video below to learn more (other Google Suite programs use a similar process).
Video Tutorial: How to share a Google Doc with your Students
Teaching with Google Docs
Asynchronous example: A group works together on a lab report over the course of two weeks. In the first week, everyone contributes a section. In the second week, each person uses comments to give feedback to peers and revise.
Synchronous (live) example: You could use a Google doc as a class agenda, or to share group work instructions, or have students post discussion responses. Click here to see a Google Doc that models of some of these strategiesLinks to an external site.. This document, like all our example documents, is set to View Only. If you'd like a copy, click File -> Download, or File-> Make a Copy.
Asynchronous: Each member of a group contributes one Slide to a presentation. Alternatively, groups could assign different aspects of a presentation (graphics, editing reach, writing) to different members.
Synchronous (live): Share a Sheets document with problems or questions listed in a column. Groups "claim" a problem, solve it, and put their answer in another column. While this might be a little wild, with many groups editing at the same time, the teacher can see each group's progress. Here’s an example. Links to an external site.this could potentially also work asynchronously.
STEM or other instructors of problem-based classes might use this document to share or collaboratively record data.
Jamboard
JamboardLinks to an external site. is new to the Google Suite. It's an interactive bulletin board where students can post “sticky notes,” drawing, shapes and pictures.
Asynchronously, this could be used as a place to gather thoughts or ideas during a week - perhaps this is where students post questions, thoughts or even gifs/images in reaction to course content.
Building and Maintaining Connections With Your Students Designing Effective Synchronous Sessions
