5 Tips for How to Use G Suite for Education
So you're ready to teach your kids how to use Google Tools, but where do you begin? Here are my top 5 tips for how to use G Suite for Education with students. After using these tools when I was a classroom teacher, K-5 STEM teacher and even training adults, these strategies have seen positive results over the years. G Suite for Education tools are a major asset to have in the classroom and allows students to be using applicable skills they can build on with various assignments.
This video originally aired LIVE on my Facebook Page; Naomi Meredith: The STEMTech Co.
Come and join in on the fun on Facebook, or watch the recording of this episode.
How to Use G Suite for Education | Watch the recording down below:
How to Use G Suite for Education | #1 Assess Prior Knowledge
One of the biggest things I've learned when it comes to students using academic technology is to never assume. Although students might be proficient using video games and YouTube at home, this doesn't always translate to using academic technology. Kids are very capable and should know how to use basic technology skills proficiently; it might not be natural at first.
Before teaching a new technology tool, including G Suite, assess quickly what students may or may not already know about the tool. This can be a quick check in or even a class discussion with responses written down.
As a teacher, this will help with planning as to which skills should be taught first as a whole class, and others that may be taught separately in smaller groups.
How to Use G Suite for Education | #2 Keep Login Steps Consistent
When starting with a new technology tool, students need to know the exact steps for logging into the platform. Honestly, based on my experience, this step is the one that takes the longest and most practice for students. Don't be discouraged when logging into the platform takes 20 minutes the first few times; it's completely normal.
Create a class anchor chat with the exact steps as to how to log into the platform. Drawing, (or if you make a digital version, inserting images) images of what the step looks like is extremely helpful as well. This can be a great aid for all students when repeating this common step. Also, as a teacher, you can quickly point to the correct step when a student asks you, “What do I need to do next?”
Likewise, keep student login information where students can independently access it. It's important to have this information on hand as a teacher, but the goal is to have students be successful and advocate for themselves. Here is an example of how I've done this for Google Classroom.
Don't waste important class time passing out student log in cards when they can be taped inside of their pencil box, next to their keyboard or student planner.
How to Use G Suite for Education | #3 Use Universal Icons
Universal Icons are simple pictures that are used to represent an action in multiple platforms. For example, the ‘play' icon is seen on YouTube videos, phones and TV remotes. Google Tools also have universal icons within their platforms that signal a specific action.
Have students take note of these universal icons and notice what they mean. As you begin to use more Google Tools in your classroom, like Docs, Slides and Forms, students will recognize how these icons are across the platforms.
Keeping a running list in an area in the classroom or even student journals can help that visual recognition and build meaning. Here is one that I created for Google Drawings that can translate to many of the other Google Tools
How to Use G Suite for Education | #4 Explicit Baby Steps
It's easy to feel overwhelmed by all of the steps you want students to learn while using G Suite for Education. As a teacher, you may know most of the tools naturally and it can be frustrating seeing students who might not even know the most simple tasks.
In addition, think about the basics you want students to know when using the tool. Then, break each of those skills into their own, separate task.
As simple as possible.
For example: Highlight the word you typed. Find the U icon and click on it. What happens to your word?
For an even bigger impact, have each of the tasks build on one another so students can begin to see how the tool is connected and interacts.
How to Use G Suite for Education | #5 Focus on One Tool at a Time
Just as it may seem overwhelming with all the skills you want to teach your students, it may feel the same as to which Google Tool to teach students first.
Whenever I am teaching my classes new technology tools, I focus on one tool during a lesson. I'll use that same tool for multiple lessons throughout the week in various ways and subjects. When I see that students are becoming more comfortable using that tool, I'll integrate another they might already know from a previous lesson.
As the year goes on, I'll keep adding in new G Suite tools. Studente begin to see patterns within these tools as we use them for various assignments.
Here is the order I typically teach G Suite tools to students, but you can definitely change this up:
- Google Docs
- Google Classroom
- Google Drive
- Google Drawings
- Google Slides
- Google JamBoard
- Google Forms
- Google Sheets
How to Use G Suite for Education | Putting it All Together
After using G Suite for Education tools for awhile, you'll recognize how you want to teach the skills you've developed to your students. These are the steps that I've taken and perfected over the years.
In fact, to help you save time, I have created and continue to keep updated my Google Tools Scavenger Hunts.
Each hunt comes with a pre and post assessment while also giving students specific, basic tasks to complete to learn each tool. The hunts can be printed or shared digitally.
Also, there is an editable version that comes with a mini-lesson to support teaching this tool to your students. (The non-editable version doesn't include the mini-lesson).
Click here to grab these scavenger hunts for your class!
Products mentioned that can support your classroom:
- What are Google Tools Like?
- Google Classroom Basics Anchor Charts
- Google Drawings Basics & Tools Anchor Chart | Distance Learning
- Getting to Know Google Drive, Docs, Slides and Forms | Editable Bundle (other tools will be coming soon in 2021!)
Other blog posts you might enjoy:
- Getting Started with Google Classroom by Naomi Meredith
- Email Signature Picture Tutorial by Naomi Meredith
- How to Add a Timer to Google Slides by Naomi Meredith
- How to Use a Digital Interactive Notebook in the Classroom by Naomi Meredith
What questions do you have about these tips? Have any other ideas to share? Feel free to direct message me on Instagram, @naomimeredith_ and I would love to chat with you!
