How many hours have you spent wrestling with the copy machine, battling paper jams, or simply waiting in line for your turn? It’s time to break free! Google Classroom offers educators a powerful tool to streamline workflow and reduce reliance on physical copies. But don’t worry, this doesn’t mean we’re going completely paperless. Paperless is not a pedagogy, and there’s still a place for good old-fashioned pen and paper in the classroom.
Rethinking the Assignment: Collaboration Over Copies
The SAMR model, a framework for evaluating technology integration, reminds us that simply substituting digital tools for analog ones doesn’t necessarily lead to improved learning outcomes. Instead, we should strive for transformation – using technology to create new and innovative learning experiences.
Collaborative assignments in Google Classroom offer just such an opportunity for transformation. By enabling students to edit files together, we move beyond individual worksheets and create dynamic spaces for shared learning. Students can brainstorm ideas, provide feedback, build upon each other’s work, and develop critical 21st-century skills like communication, critical thinking, and teamwork.
Beyond the Digital Paper Pile
Let’s be honest – opening and navigating 30 individual digital documents can be just as cumbersome as managing a stack of papers. Collaborative assignments not only alleviate this digital paper pile, but they also open up new possibilities for engagement and interaction.
Imagine a group project where students collaboratively research a topic, create a presentation, and present their findings to the class. This type of assignment not only promotes deeper learning but also prepares students for the collaborative nature of the modern workplace.
Google Classroom: Your Collaboration Catalyst
With its intuitive interface and seamless integration with other Google tools, Google Classroom makes collaborative learning a breeze. You can easily create and share documents, track student progress, provide feedback in real-time, and even assess individual contributions within the collaborative environment.
Students Can Collaborate on the File
In Google Classroom the default option when adding files to an assignment is “Students can view file.” The middle option “Students can edit file” can be renamed as “Students can Collaborate on the File.” Tip: Set the version history to name the current version as “template” before opening the file up to students to edit.
From Copies to Creativity
The next time you’re tempted to hit the “Make a copy for each student” button, pause and consider the possibilities. Could this assignment be reimagined as a collaborative project? Could students benefit from working together to solve a problem, create a product, or explore a new concept? By embracing collaboration, we can move beyond rote memorization and standardized assessments and cultivate the critical thinking, creativity, and communication skills that students need to thrive in the 21st century.
Making Copies in Google Classrom
When individual copies are the way to go, Google Classroom simplifies the process, allowing you to ditch the copy machine and create a virtual paper pile. This eliminates the need for physical handouts, streamlines the collection and grading of assignments, and reduces your environmental impact.
Here’s how you can easily create copies for each student:
- Attach a file: When creating an assignment, click “Add” and select the file you want to distribute.
- Adjust settings: Click the dropdown menu next to the file and select “Make a copy for each student.”
- Assign: Click “Assign” to distribute the copies to your students.
Each student will receive their own unique copy of the file, which they can edit and submit directly within Google Classroom.
Google Classroom's Unique Copy Features
When you choose to create a copy for each student in Google Classroom, you’re not just making duplicates; you’re unlocking a world of personalized learning, efficient workflow management, and a transformative shift in how you interact with student work. Let’s delve into the unique features that set Google Classroom’s copy function apart and how it revolutionizes collaboration.
A New Era of Real-Time Collaboration on Individual Student Documents
Unlike traditional learning platforms, Google Classroom doesn’t just provide a copy of student work for after-the-fact feedback. Google Classroom empowers you to collaborate with students while they are working. Imagine the power of coming alongside students in real time, offering guidance, answering questions, and providing support as they navigate their assignments. This paradigm shift from “autopsy feedback” to active collaboration can significantly impact student learning and engagement.
Automatic Naming and Organization
Say goodbye to the chaos of manually renaming and organizing student work. Google Classroom automatically names each copy with the student’s name and appends it to the original file title. This keeps your Drive organized and makes it easy to locate specific assignments.
Seamless Submission and Grading
Students can directly edit their copies and submit them within Google Classroom. No more lost papers or misplaced assignments! As a teacher, you can easily access and grade student work within the platform, providing timely feedback and streamlining your assessment process.
Differentiation Made Easy
With individual copies, you can easily differentiate assignments to meet the diverse needs of your students. Modify instructions, provide additional scaffolding, or offer extension activities—all within the same assignment.
Version History and Revision Tracking
Google Classroom automatically saves every edit made to a document, allowing you and your students to track progress, review revisions, and revert to previous versions if needed. This valuable feature promotes self-reflection and continuous improvement.
Seamless Integration with Other Google Tools
Google Classroom seamlessly integrates with other Google Workspace tools, such as Docs, Slides, and Sheets. This means you can embed videos, create interactive presentations, or collect data—all within the same assignment.
Privacy and Security
Google Classroom adheres to strict privacy and security standards, ensuring that student data is protected and that only authorized individuals can access assignments.
By understanding and leveraging the unique features of Google Classroom’s copy function, you can create a more dynamic, interactive, and supportive learning environment for your students. It’s time to move beyond the limitations of traditional paper-based workflows and embrace the transformative power of real-time collaboration.
More Collaboration Ideas
Try Google Slides
Instead of making copies, have students do their work on Google Slides. Insert the questions onto a slide, students can use a blank slide to explain and show their work. Type the questions onto a slide or take a screenshot of the question and drag it onto the slide.
Unlike paper, media such as videos, animated GIF’s or color images can be included on Google Slides.
Not only does this free you from having to make photo copies, you have access to student work while they are working on it. You can access student work from your mobile device, insert comments into the presenter notes. No more carrying boxes of papers around and all the hassle that goes along with organizing papers.
Quarter Sheets of Paper
Cut a bunch of paper into quarter sheets! Quarter sheets are the perfect size for inserting images into a Google Slide. Students use the Insert menu to insert an image. Choosing the second option “Take a snapshot.” This makes it easy for students to submit their written work without you having to manage paper.
Template
I created a Google Slides template to help you get going. It has a custom layout for students to add their webcam photo from the quarter sheet of paper.
Collaborate with TemplateTab
Use Google Sheets to have less digital paperwork and more collaboration. I created an Add-on to put all students in the same Google Sheets spreadsheet. Each student is assigned a tab. The graphic organizer was duplicated for each student.
TemplateTab by AliceKeeler
Duplicate a template/graphic organizer for each student on the roster in Google Sheets™. Ability to export tabs to individual sheets.
Collects NO user data.
Adding TemplateTab to Google Classroom
- Create a spreadsheet
- Design a graphic organizer
- Use the Extensions menu to select “Setup sheet” under TemplateTab
- Use the File menu to name the current version “template”
- Paste a list of your student names in column A of the first sheet
- Make sure the 2nd sheet is your graphic organizer
- Use the Extensions menu to run TemplateTab
- Create an assignment in Google Classroom
- Add the spreadsheet to the assignment from Google Drive
- Change the permissions to “Students can edit file.”
4 thoughts on “Google Classroom: Ditch the Copy Machine”
What program do you use to make the GIFs in your posts?
Snagit Chrome Extension
Is there any way that you know that a document can be hidden and not placed on the stream until it is ready for the students to look at? For instance, testing. I like to place tests and quizzes on Classroom, but the kids would be able to see it at home. I have tried placing the test in Classroom right before they come to class, but I am the Tech teacher who sees K-8 throughout my day. We have no passing period. It works well for my first class, but in between, it is almost impossible for me to do. Maybe I’m missing something and thought I’d ask or maybe you have a suggestion.
Leave the assignment as a draft.