6 Tips for Using Google Tools to Teach Writing

Educator Maggie Espinola shares six effective tips for utilizing Google Tools to teach writing, promoting student independence, confidence, and reducing grading time for teachers. The strategies leverage Google Classroom, Google Slides, and Google Docs to create an organized and collaborative writing process.

1. Number the Step in Each Assignment:

   • Assignments are numbered in Google Classroom, facilitating clear communication with students.
   • The numbered steps help students easily locate and work on specific sections, eliminating the need to search through papers.

2. Create Interactive Practice Notes:

   • Use Google Slides to create model paragraphs that students can edit collaboratively.
   • Color-code different parts of the body paragraph to guide students in incorporating all necessary elements.
   • Promote collaboration by having students complete a second body paragraph with a partner, providing support through sentence frames.

3. Make It Public:

   • After practicing thesis statements and introduction paragraphs, students post them to Google Stream for peer feedback.
   • Encourage posting anonymously for students who feel insecure, fostering a class discussion for constructive feedback.

4. Use Short Texts as Class Models:

   • Utilize short texts from platforms like CommonLit as class models throughout the writing process.
   • Repeat the use of the same model texts for different assignments to enhance familiarity.
   • Explore different genres for writing samples, promoting diversity in writing approaches.

5. Copy, Paste, Revise, Submit:

   • Break down the writing process into chunks, allowing students to copy and paste their revised content.
   • This approach increases student engagement and completion rates, minimizing the likelihood of cheating.

6. Quick Feedback and Fast Grading:

   • Provide real-time feedback during the writing process using the comment section in Google Docs.
   • Read each student's essay multiple times during class, ensuring consistent feedback.
   • Use a rubric on Google Sheets for final assessment, allowing efficient grading of multiple essays within a short time frame.

By implementing these strategies, Espinola attests to a nearly 100 percent submission rate for completed essays, enhanced student engagement, and the elimination of grading time outside of class hours. The collaborative nature of Google Tools contributes to a more interactive and streamlined writing process.

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