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Overview of why I have chosen these tools

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Teachers helping teachers with Google Docs, connect with them and learn more!

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Teachers helping teachers with Google Docs, connect with them and learn more!

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As a teacher, you probably know about Google Docs. You've probably even been using pieces of it for years! But there's a lot more to it than just sharing documents and having an easy, cloud-based solution for your classroom. Over the years, I've gotten to learn about some pretty sweet features that have made my life as a teacher easier. These functionalities are built into Google Docs, and they are fantastic. Even though they might not be on your radar, take a look. You'll be glad you did!

1. Template Gallery

Why start from scratch when you could use a well-designed template? Whether you want to use Google Docs to draft your course syllabus, design a student certificate, formalize teaching notes, or plan a project for students, it's almost for sure you can find a template for that. Template Gallery is the place to go. In fact, there are hundreds of beautiful templates here for you to choose from. You can preview a template or use it directly, and it will open as a new file in Google Docs. This feature is often overlooked but isn't exactly hidden.

2. Offline Editing Mode

How many times you are working on a Google document and you can't type anymore because it says there is no Internet connection? What if you can still create, edit or view files even if you aren't connected? Introducing offline mode-a feature that allows you to save a copy of your edited documents on your computer and sync when you are back online. To enable offline mode, all you have to do is check this option (see the screenshot above) and click Done to continue. Note: offline access is only available in Chrome web browser, according to Google .

3. Extract Images in Batch

Despite being the most powerful online word processor, Google Docs doesn't make it easy for users to directly save images embedded in the content (nope, copy and paste doesn't work in most cases). So if you want to reuse lots of images in a Google document, it can be cumbersome to extract them one by one. But there is still a way to get this done a lot quicker. On the menu, select File > Download as > Web page (.html, zipped) , a zip file will be downloaded. Double-click to open it, and you'll see a folder called "Images." Yep, all images should be there. Courtesy to SoftwareHow for this fantastic tip.

4. Research via Explore

For those who don't know, back in September, the official Google Docs blog announced several updates , one of which was the old Research tool being replaced by Explore. You can access the feature via Tools > Explore , or click the Explore icon at the bottom right of any documents. Just type a keyword in the search box, alternatively, you can highlight a few words in your document, right click and select "Explore '(highlighted words)'", then you'll see a list of resources showing up. These include web results and images. You then can add or insert those results you like for reference. For web results, you can "cite as footnote" and the Explore tool allows you to change citation format (MLA, APA, Chicago).

5. Suggesting Mode

While the ability to directly edit or make changes in a Google document is great, it is sometimes rude to change others' text. There are times (for example, when you and your students are collaborating on a project or doing peer evaluation) you may only want to suggest changes-without actually making any, unless the person accepts the changes. That's what Suggestion Mode has to offer. To enter the mode, first look in the toolbar with an editing pencil icon, click on the arrow next to the pencil icon and select "Suggesting." Only the author of the document has the power to approve or disapprove any suggested changes.

6. Make PDF files (even scanned) editable

PDFs offer many advantages over other file types, but they are not easy to work with because PDFs are essentially images and they are much restrictive. Scanned PDF files are even harder to handle. Chances are you'll have to convert them into editable texts. Thanks to Optical Character Recognition, a technology built in Google Docs, allows you to convert PDFs and images into pure text formats. On Google Drive Settings, simply check the option called "Convert uploaded files to Google Docs editor format," and you're ready to go. I discovered this technique while exploring guides to convert PDF to Word on Mac .

7. Voice Typing

Google Docs also supports voice typing. All you need is the Chrome browser and a working microphone built into your computer or connected externally. To get to voice typing, open a document, on the menu, select Tools > Voice typing . Select the language you'll speak (by default, it's English). When you are ready, click on the microphone image to enable the voice recognition. Click on it again to toggle it off. Although I feel it's a little bit like talking to a robot, I love the feature and hope you do, too.

8. Create Your Own Shortcuts

Google Docs have already provided a number of shortcuts for us (like changing (c) to ©), but what if you want to make a few of your own? For instance, it might be a good idea to add frequently misspelled words, mimic popular text expansion applications, or autocorrect your errors without running a spell check. You can do all of those via Google Docs Preferences ( Tools > Preferences > Automatic substitution ). Just fill in the "replace" and "with" blanks and you are good to go.

9. Image Editing

Normally you have to rely on third-party tools to edit an image, such as crop it, add colorful borders or adjust transparency, etc. But in Google Docs, you can do all of these without leaving the app. Once you insert an image (from the menu, or just drag and drop it) and select it, you'll see an editing toolbox becoming available on the menu. To crop an image, select it in your document and click the crop icon in the toolbar. From there, drag the blue handles to your desired locations and hit "Enter" on your keyboard. The Image Options are also very useful, and they allow you to recolor and adjust transparency, brightness, and contrast. Don't forget that you can reverse any operations by clicking the "Reset Image" icon and this will restore the image to its original state.

10. Browse Education Add-ons

Google Docs offer tons of basic word processing and editing functions, but it's unrealistic to integrate all tools and features to the menu. What's the solution? The Adds-on is a place for those whose needs stretch beyond the most basic functions. To access the Adds-on Store, click Add-ons > Get Add-ons from the menu. Select "Education" from the dropdown list; you'll be surprised with the massive extensions you can use, most are free. For example, EasyBib Bibliography Creator allows you to generate citations quickly. Easy Accents is a great tool to insert accents for different languages directly from the sidebar in Google Docs.

What are your Google Docs tricks?

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10 Ways to Use Google Docs in the Classroom - WeAreTeachers

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Learn how to use google docs in your classroom to make learning interesting for your students and life a lot easier for yourself!

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Download Skype for mobile & desktop | Skype

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Download the free Skype video call app for your desktop, mobile, or tablet. Staying in touch with friends and family just got more fun.

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How to use Skype to connect your classroom to the world!

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How to use Skype to connect your classroom to the world!

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Educator Center Overview - Microsoft Learn Educator Center

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Microsoft Learn for Educators takes the best of Microsoft Learn online learning paths and helps you to bring instructor-led training materials from Microsoft into your courses. This program provides members with access to Microsoft ready-to-teach curriculum and teaching materials aligned to industry-recognized Microsoft Certifications.

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Connect with other teachers and read their tips on Evernote.

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Connect with other teachers and read their tips on Evernote.

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I love composition notebooks, I used them in my classroom all of the time. My own personal composition notebook traveled to parent conferences, team meetings, professional developments, and home. Everything changed when I started using my phone for reminders and appointments. I found that I always had my phone and somehow that composition book was MIA. A colleague of mine always mentioned Evernote and months later I decided to try it out. I have been using Evernote for several months now and even though I am no longer in the classroom, I have brainstormed 5 Evernote Tips for Teachers.

What is Evernote?

Essentially Evernote is a catalogue organizing your information in one location that is available on all of your devices. Remember the notes from PD or the to-do list you jot on a sticky note? Evernote allows you to keep all of the information in one place and features a quick and easy search feature for finding it.

What can Evernote do?

Evernote offers three versions with different functions. I am on the free basic version and believe that 90% of teachers would need no additional features. The basic version allows you to sync all of your devices and clip different pieces from the web. I currently sync Evernote on my desktop, laptop, and phone. This is perfect for an idea that comes to you first thing in the morning or when you are at dinner. My favorite part is that all of the information can be sorted into different notebooks with multiple notes.

There are quite a few ideas for personal use with Evernote or using Evernote with your students. Today, I would like to focus on ways for teachers to use Evernote to stay organized.

1. To-Do Notebook

My Daily To-Do Notebook is by far, my most utilized notebook. Within the notebook, I create a note for each day of the week and jot down what I need to accomplish. When I was in the classroom, my list consisted of Before School, Conference, and After School headers and you could set it up the same. If you don't get to something you can easily copy and paste it to the next day. This is great for when you are sitting in a meeting and they mention that grade sheets are due back by Friday. You can think about you week and determine what day to add them to your to-do list. I also love that it has checkboxes! I still get the sense of accomplishment without having a paper list.

If you like to think of your life in weeks, you could create a note for each week instead and then have headers for each day of the week.

2. Snapshots for Specific Lessons

I hate taking things off my wall when testing comes around because I have to decide what to do with it. Save it or toss it. With Evernote you can snap a picture and assign it to a lesson or notebook. It is so nice because it doesn't take up space in your phone and you don't have to go searching for it in your hundreds of photos. This is perfect for saving anchor charts, bulletin boards, or student work! Unfortunately, you can't save all of those student work examples but you can take a picture!

3. Student Documentation

You know those students who need a little extra attention and maybe even a little extra documentation? Create a notebook with their initials and then keep a note with anything relevant. This would be handy in a parent conference or for RTI purposes. You could even use tip #2 and snap a picture of student work for documentation purposes.

3. Notebook for Meetings, Committees, and PD

Create a notebook for faculty meetings, team meetings, committees, and various professional development. Within each notebook, just title a note with the date and any pertinent information. If you get a handout, take a snapshot. This will keep everything together, cut down on the clutter on your desk, and will be easy to reference at a later date. At the end of the year, you can delete what doesn't apply anymore.

4. Saving Lesson Ideas and Websites

If you are guilty of having a cluttered desktop, like me, this is the best tip so far. You are going to love saving lesson ideas and website within Evernote. It is perfect for taking out all the excess within the article (ads) and showing what is relevant. You can even save it on your phone, like I did below.

5. Nothing in Evernote is Misplaced

The search feature in Evernote is pretty incredible. It will find words, phrases, and even search images! This is super handy, if you can't seem to remember what meeting you were at when something was mentioned or if you want to find something in your past to-do lists.

I know that there are other features like slideshows, sharing, and email with the plus and premium versions, but so far the free basic version is treating me just fine.

Sign Up for a free account with Evernote. This is an affiliate link, I earn no commissions just points towards a plus account. I would recommend Evernote either way 🙂
Do you have any other Evernote tips for teachers? Please share.

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I love composition notebooks, I used them in my classroom all of the time. My own personal composition notebook traveled to parent conferences, team meetings, professional developments, and home. Everything changed when I started using my phone for reminders and appointments. I found that I always had my phone and somehow that composition book was MIA.

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Best Note Taking App - Organize Your Notes with Evernote

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Our note taking app helps you capture and prioritize ideas, projects and to-do lists, so nothing falls through the cracks. Start your free trial today!

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New to Google Docs? Here is a simple tutorial to get you started.

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New to Google Docs? Here is a simple tutorial to get you started.

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Write reports, create joint project proposals, keep track of meeting notes, and more.

With Google Docs, you can create and edit text documents right in your web browser-no special software is required. Even better, multiple people can work at the same time, you can see people's changes as they make them, and every change is saved automatically.

What you need:
10 minutes
G Suite account -Don't have one? Start your free 14-day trial today.

Table of contents

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Write reports, create joint project proposals, keep track of meeting notes, and more. With Google Docs, you can create and edit text documents right in your web browser-no special software is required. Even better, multiple people can work at the same time, you can see people's changes as they make them, and every change is saved automatically.

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Send messages that students and parents can't miss. Remind is an easy way to manage class communication-and make more time for teaching.

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Keep in touch with your students by one easy text, using Remind.

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Keep in touch with your students by one easy text, using Remind.

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Adoption and usage

Simple, effective, and surprisingly easy to use

With nearly 30 million users in 80% of US schools, the numbers speak for themselves: students, families, and educators love using Remind.

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Remind | Communication Platform for Education

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Remind is a communication platform that reaches students and families where they are and supports learning wherever it happens. Millions of educators, students, and parents use Remind to connect with the people and resources that help them teach and learn.

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Create your own Squarespace website, it's easy and free.

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Create your own Squarespace website, it's easy and free.

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Build a Website - Website Builder - Squarespace

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Squarespace is the all-in-one solution for anyone looking to create a beautiful website. Domains, eCommerce, hosting, galleries, analytics, and 24/7 support all included.