Nathan Hale science teachers Matt Hinkley and Karl Englert are always searching for useful technology tools for their classrooms. One of their favorites is Google Tools for Educators. Google Docs is one component of the Google Tools suite (Sites, Calendar, RSS Reader, Picasa Photos, Maps and more). Specifically, Google Docs contains a word processor, presentation, and spreadsheet application. All 3 of these are stand-a-lone applications but also integrate well with Microsoft Office. Also in Google Docs is Forms, an easy-to-use survey tool. In addition, they use Google Calendar. All of these are available with a free Google account.

Here are a few descriptions of how these teachers are using Google Docs in their classrooms…

Google Tools: Google Forms and Spreadsheet:

1) During a 12th grade Environmental Science lab on organisms, Mr. Hinkley created a Google Form (a survey that puts the data in a spreadsheet and creates a graph) for students to collect and record the number of organisms in agricultural and natural areas they were studying. Students entered their lab data into the survey. Mr. Hinkley used the graphing feature in Forms to share the “collective” results with the class from his presentation station. As the students continue to add data Hinkley was able to update the graph to reflect the changes.

2) Mr. Englert uses Google Forms for students to complete an online Current Event assignment. Englert inputs the information and selects the type of questions required (multiple choice, open response, etc.). Once the assignment is ready, he embeds the Form/Survey (see picture below) on his Source class page for student access. As the students complete and submit their assignments, this work is compiled in a spreadsheet.

Click to view the sample images.

Google Tools: Google Documents (Word Processor):

1) Both Hinkely and Englert use Google Documents for students to collaborate on research projects. While working at their homes, at school, or in a library, students can work in collaborative groups to write and edit projects, like a “virtual meeting.” Using their telephones and or the build-in chat, students are able to have multiple people working on the same document at the same time. Also, because the students share their documents with Mr. Hinkley he is able monitor the progress of their work.

Google Tools: Google Calendar:

1) Karl Englert embeds a Google Calendar on his Source Class page to post assignments details, quizzes, tests, and other important class dates .

Notes:

1) Click here for more information about Google Tools for Educators.

2) Once students create a Google Account at home they can work on Google Docs from home or at school on student computers.

3) The instructions for finding and embedding the HTML code is on the Google Docs site.

• Blank Excel Template (.xlt)
• About Graphing in Excel (.pdf)
• Getting to School Example(.xls) – For the primary grades this is great teacher-led graph to introduce Excel at the beginning of the year. The comment boxes also allow for writing predictions and observations or you can merge cells together and type responses.
• Finding Shapes Example (.xls) – If you ever have your students go on a search for shapes, here is a graph where you can ask the class to make predictions (record in comment boxes), collate data and then make observations about the data. You can also use this reinforce the number of sides of a shape when just seeing the name. You could also present this graph to individual students for them to collate their own data.

Resources
Almost Everything You Need for Using Spreadsheets in the Classroom
Lesson plans and activities to understand the different parts of spreadsheet.
Create a Graph
Easy way for students to create graphs.
Dr. Christie’s Using Spreadsheets in K-12 Classrooms
More lesson plan ideas.
Florida Gulf  Coast University- Excel Tutorials

Quick Ideas
Spinning Coins Activity
Groups Graphing
Lemonade Stand