Google Slides in Math - Episode I

Math can be more than pencil and paper practice. Most of the time students find problem solving uninteresting and most will not "fully" show their work for you. When you add technology to your class routine, students become more engaged and depending on how the technology is used you can enhance the lessons you already teach.

Steps to Begin Using Google Slides for Comic Strips

Step 1: Build a Template
Start by building a template. The template will help students to focus on the math and not the process of building the comic. I am not saying you should not give students the choice to how it will be completed, but having a template will help to guide them along the way. When they are more comfortable using the tool, then they can be more creative.

Below is an example of a template that I created.

Step 2: Share the Template
Once you build the template for students to follow, you must give them access to the document. There are several ways you can do this within Google Apps.

   1. You can email the document link to your students
   2. You can share the document with your students
   3. You can post the link to your website
   4. You can write a shortened URL on the board for students to type in the browser
   5. You can create a QR code that students can scan

As you can see there are several ways to get the document to your students. (Of course this is just a small list of what you could do.) Since you are working with a template you will want students to 'view' the document and not be able to 'edit'. Make sure before you send them the document the share settings are set to 'view'.

Step 3: Students make copy

Once students have the template they will need to be able to work on the document. With being view only, students will need to make a copy for themselves. To do this the students will click on the 'file' menu and then 'make a copy'.

Once they make their own copy you will want to make sure you have a naming convention setup with your students. That way it will be easy for you to identify each students work. (Example: lastname-project name.) 

Step 4: Students turn in work

Now that students have made their own copy, they can begin working. Except how will you as the teacher see or collect their work? There are several ways to collect the students work, but I will only go over two different ways. 

   1. Students share the document with you

   2. Students turn in document link

Before you decide on which way to have the students turn in their work, you must first think about the purpose you will have for the document. If you are wanting to just see the work and not edit or comment then you will want the students to turn in the direct link. (Of course students can change their settings to edit or comment with the link also) If you are wanting a copy in your Drive then you will want the students to share the document with you.

Sharing the document - Students will click on the share button located in the top right corner of their document. Students will then type your name in the people box and determine if you can edit, view, or comment.

Turn in the link - Students will click on the share button located in the top right corner and then click on get shareable link. Students will then email this link to you using their Google email or they can turn in this link using a Google Form (will discuss this in another post)

One suggestion is what every method you choose have the students do this right after making a copy. That way you have access to their work at all times. That is the nice thing about Google, all changes they make you will see in real time. There is no need for them to save and re-turn in!

Now what?

Remember the idea for bringing in Google Slides is to enhance your lessons and to get student to 'fully' explain their processes. Have fun! Let students add their own elements. This will help them in better understanding the math involved to solve the problem. Here is an example of a math problem.

Problem:
Parents donated fudge for the fundraiser in your classroom. 40 pounds of chocolate fudge sold for $2.15 per pound and vanilla fudge sold for $1.90 per pound. Your class sold a total of $158.20. How many pounds of fudge were sold?