How to Integrate Google Docs in Science and Math Like a Pro

Posted by David Wetzel

Google Docs offer an advanced set of collaboration and communication tools to help your students acquire the skills necessary to help them soar, in their education and out in the world. There is no hardware to maintain or software to install.

Unique features include:

secure storage online.

accessible from any computer anywhere with the Internet.

multiple students or teachers can edit a document, spreadsheet, or presentation at the same time.

the ability to embed videos from Vimeo and Animoto, along with images from Flickr or other sources.

the ability to embed podcasts in presentations.

free!

Science and Math Activities

The following are tips and ideas for using Google Docs in science and math classrooms.

Science Experiments - Students:

write a collaborative lab report using Google Documents (word processing) and embed in a class website or Wiki.

students collect scientific data (i.e., plant growth data) over a period of time using a Google Spreadsheet.

prepare a group collaborative Google Presentation to present their findings and conclusions.

they share their lab report, presentation, data, pictures, and spreadsheet with other students within their class, different classes in the school, and other schools in the district or across the country.

Math Investigations - Students:

create a survey in Google Spreadsheets to ask other students to determine the number of times they send and receive text messages during a day.

then they have two options - insert the data in another a Google Spreadsheet or allow the data to automatically update a spreadsheet as survey responses are received (teachers choice).

prepare a group collaborative Google Presentation to present their findings and conclusions.

they share their survey findings, presentation, and spreadsheet with other students within their class, different classes in the school, and other schools in the district or across the country.

The data collected from the survey has additional purposes such as determining mean, median, and mode.

Self Assessment Survey - Students complete an end of grading period or group project self-assessment survey using Google Spreadsheets created by their teacher. Their answers are automatically recorded in a spreadsheet which is only viewable by their teacher. Sample survey questions include:

Thoughtfully completes work: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.

Participates in class discussions: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.

Contributes to group work and discussions: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.

Gives best effort in class: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.

Visits unapproved websites when using computers: Always, Mostly, Sometimes, or Never.

Additional Ideas for Using Google Docs in the Classroom

The following are ideas for classroom use.

Group collaboration and creativity as students record their group projects together in a single document.

Keep track of grades, attendance, or any other data you can think of using an easily accessible, always available spreadsheet.

Create quizzes and tests using spreadsheets forms, your students’ timestamped answers will arrive neatly ordered in a spreadsheet.

Encourage collaborative presentation skills by asking your students to work together on a shared presentation, then present it to the class.

Collaborate on a document with colleagues to help track the status and success of students you share.

Maintain, update and share lesson plans over time in a single document.

Track and organize cumulative project data in a single spreadsheet.

How to Create a Survey

To create a survey form, either students or teacher, click on the “share” button on any Google Spreadsheet.

Then select the option “to fill out a form”.

Now start creating a survey form.

You can select multiple choices, text, choose from a list, paragraph text, or check boxes for options.

Answers are date and time stamped for validation.

Setting Up a Student Accounts

If your students already have email addresses, have them sign up for a Google Account using their own or school assigned e-mail account.

If your students do not have an email address, have students set up a free Gmail account (13 and older). You may want to consider signing up for the free Google Apps Education Edition (between now and July 31, 2010 to sign up students under age 13.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Google Docs Keyboard Short Cuts

Google Docs Keyboard Short Cuts for Spreadsheets

Additional Resource

Google Docs are a Free Online Educational Tool