Aim to Be Awesome, Not Perfect

So how do you get started with Google Apps for Education? One way to get started is to use Google Forms for a simple formative assessment.  Take a worksheet and turn it in to a Google Form. Copy the information into each question box and copy the answer choices into the form as well. Below are pictures of the worksheet and the Google Form. You can set the form as a quiz and it will grade it for you!  Once kids are done, Google Forms will give you data about the responses.  You can even open the data in Google Sheets to review! 

Technology can be scary, especially if you are someone who doesn't use it often or it seems like it always has an error when you use it.  But it can be a great teaching tool - it can engage students and possibly make your life a little easier.   So, if you want to start small, start with Google Docs.  Have students work in Google Docs - whether they are taking notes, typing a paper, or gathering information -  rather than writing on paper or tying in Microsoft Word.   Here is an example of something my daughter did in 4th grade in Google Docs.   If you are feeling brave, create a folder in your Google Drive and share it with the students.  Have them turn their files into the folder, rather than print.