Make your Google Doc work for you.

The power of Google Docs is unbelievable.  Collaboration, research & productivity abound.

Every teacher and student has unique personal needs and interests with word processing.  Google allows for this type of customization and continues to improve.

First I would like to mention some overlooked features of a Google Doc that are right in your drop down menus.

Under TOOLS  teachers and students may benefit from one or more of the following:

• Research: Conduct a Google Search right within your Google Doc.  The search will come up on the right hand side and allow you to refine by searching for Quotes, Free-use Images, Tables, Scholarly Articles etc.  It will even provide citation in several formats.

• Voice Typing:  Save time by speaking out what you would normally have to type.  Use this to more quickly make an old worksheet digital.  Students who struggle with typing may take advantage of this feature to help progress more quickly with assignments.  It could be used to practice annunciation as well.  Even works in Spanish!  Punctuate by saying things like "period" and "next line".

(sentence was spoken into microphone)

Under INSERT teachers and students can find: 

• Insert Comment: 
• (Control+ ALT + M or simply highlight text and click the text bubble icon that appears)
• Use insert comment to provide feedback for student work.  Personally I find that I give more feedback by having the freedom to type as much information as I want without worrying about my handwriting or space on the printed paper page.  Links to more info can also be provided.  Works great for editing rough drafts as you can pinpoint the parts of the document that you needed to reassess.  No need to read the entire essay again.  Students can also reply to your comments to initiate dialogue when concepts are unclear. 
  

• Insert Equation:  Insert symbols needed to type out your Math problems.   Remind students of this feature to help make math digital.

Under FILE teachers can use:

• Revision History:  This feature allows you to see the writing process as it occurred.  What changes happened, when did they happen and who made them are all provided by clicking on this feature.  Be sure not to overlook the "more detailed history" button on the bottom of the right panel after opening the history.

The ADD-ONS menu is unique to Google Docs and provides unlimited customization for personal needs.

Just like searching for Apps on your IPhone, you can similarly search for tools that work with your Google Doc. Just click ADD-ONS  from the menu while having a Google Doc open.  Then click GET ADD-ONS.  You will be directed to the store where you can shop  for tools that meet your needs.  You can do a direct search or sort by category.  (one of my favorites is Productivity)

Here is a list of the top-rated Add-Ons by teachers and students:

 With a push of a button students can add accents and other special characters in foreign languages.

 Generate bibliographies right within your doc in a variety of formats.

Use both buttons and handwriting in g(Math) to create formulas & graphs for math.

 HandSign provides several free opportunities to create a legally binding signature that can then be emailed as a PDF.  

Create visually pleasing graphic organizers with LucidChart.

 

This Add-On is called "Text Help Study Skills"   highlight in a variety of colors, then sort by highlight.   Just ask to see all of one color in isolation. 

Word Cloud generator creates a word cloud based on frequency of use within the document.  This can point out key words or make students aware of the overuse of a word.  Numerical data on word usage is also provided.

Developers are always creating more add ons as well as improving existing ones.   If there is something you are looking for in your Google Doc, take a look around the store.  (located under the ADD-ONs tab)  Remember your students have access to these as well. 

Please share any tools or add-ons that have made your docs more productive in the comment section below.