Are you a teacher looking for tips for Google Docs? Do you want to engage your students and improve their learning experience? Look no further! Google Docs has recently introduced a brand new feature that allows you to create interactive activities to test your students’ vocabulary, grammar, spelling, and even pronunciation. Not only does it empower your students to actively participate in their learning process, but it also streamlines your workflow, enhancing your productivity as an educator.

In this blog post, we will delve into the exciting possibilities this new Google Docs feature offers, step-by-step instructions on its usage, and practical examples of its application in the classroom.

Unveiling Google Docs’ New Feature

Google Docs, a widely-used cloud-based word processing tool, has consistently evolved to cater to the needs of educators worldwide. With the introduction of this new feature, teachers can now create interactive activities that foster student engagement and collaboration. Let’s dive into how to access this feature and make the most out of it.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using Google Docs’ New Feature

1. Accessing the New Feature: To start creating activities, head to your Google Docs home page and open a new blank document. To access the new feature, navigate to the “Insert” dropdown menu.
2. Creating Dropdown Menus: One exciting aspect of this new feature is the ability to create dropdown menus. For instance, let’s say you want to ask your students about the name of your YouTube channel. Simply insert a dropdown menu with multiple options and designate the correct answer. This setup allows your students to actively participate in the learning process by choosing from the provided options.

Application Examples: Testing Vocabulary and Grammar

1. Testing Past Tenses: Suppose you wish to assess your students’ understanding of past tenses. Create a short story with gaps to be filled, indicating the verb tense required. Utilize the dropdown menus to offer various past tense options. Here’s the link to the grammar test, remember to make a copy! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ltp-m6BpJcPP7_OF3-4d_0ASOh1Y-JPlfuAXHW24ebs/edit?usp=sharing If you’re looking for lesson plans to practice grammar then check out the link below!https://charlieslessons.com/product/lesson-plan-future-possibility/
2. Vocabulary Assessment: Another creative application of this feature is testing your students’ vocabulary. Provide sentences with missing words and create dropdown menus containing possible options. This method allows you to explore different aspects of vocabulary, from synonyms to context-based word choices. Here’s the link to the vocabulary test, remember to make a copy! https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PoQ-MWoQqH4-69w_HXF_XiQdYD97TwNYZXTMcDOpwqY/edit?usp=sharingIf you’re looking for lesson plans to practice grammar then check out the link below!

   https://charlieslessons.com/product/master-the-lexical-approach-lesson-materials/

Sharing and Collaboration Made Easy

1. Sharing Documents with Students: Google Docs enables seamless sharing with your students. Place your activities in a designated folder in Google Drive, and then create copies of the original document for each student. Share the copies via email, ensuring that they are added as commenters. This setup allows students to interact with the document while preserving its original integrity.
2. Student Collaboration: Take collaboration to the next level by engaging students in creating activities for their peers. Assign groups of students to develop tests or exercises, and share the documents within the class or in an online learning environment. This approach fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for their learning, encouraging creativity and cooperation among students.

Padlet is also a great way to get students colloborating in class, check out 5 ideas on how to use Padlet right here. 

Improving Productivity for Educators

1. Collaborative Assessment: Google Docs’ new feature streamlines the assessment process for educators. Collaborating with other teachers becomes effortless, as you can share documents containing students’ grades or evaluations in a secure manner. This feature is particularly beneficial when students have multiple teachers across different subjects.
2. Organizational Benefits: By centralizing all your interactive activities in one folder, you can easily keep track of student progress, grades, and individual performance. This organizational method saves time and ensures that everything is conveniently accessible for your reference.

With Google Docs’ innovative new feature, educators can now elevate their teaching practices to new heights, from testing vocabulary and grammar to promoting student collaboration.

So, why wait? Embrace the possibilities of Google Docs’ new feature today and create new learning experiences for your students! Whether you’re a tech-savvy educator or just beginning to explore digital tools, this feature offers something for everyone. Get started now and open up a world of interactive learning possibilities with Google Docs!