Uncovering Google’s Hidden Gems: Enhancing Your Teaching Toolkit

Written by: Jenna Krambeck-Reeh

As educators, we’re always on the lookout for tools and tricks to streamline our work and enhance our students’ learning experience. Recently, Jenna Reeh, an Instructional Technology Facilitator from Papillion-La Vista Community Schools and NETA Board Member, shared a treasure trove of “Google Hidden Gems” that promise to do just that. Let’s dive into some of these valuable tips and tools that can revolutionize your classroom practices.

1. Effortless Note-Taking: Did you know you can right-click on a Google Slide and take notes directly in Google Keep? This feature allows for seamless integration between your presentations and your note-taking process.
2. Smart Scheduling: Gmail now allows you to schedule meetings without leaving your email window, saving you precious time and clicks.
3. Format-Friendly Pasting: Use the “Smart Paste” feature (CMD + Shift + V) to paste text while matching the destination formatting, eliminating the need for manual adjustments.
4. Streamlined Image Insertion: Simply drag and drop images between windows for quick and easy visual additions to your documents.
5. Email Efficiency: Gmail templates can save you time on repetitive emails, allowing you to focus on more important tasks.
6. Organized Browsing: Create and name tab groups in your browser to keep your digital workspace tidy and efficient.
7. Digital Dashboard: Create an organized dashboard with dropdowns to manage your digital life effectively.
8. Enhanced Presentations: Utilize Google Slides’ presenter tools for features like voice dictation, live annotations, and Q&A sessions.
9. Targeted Video Content: Filter YouTube videos to find exactly what you need for your lessons.
10. Visual Feedback: Use Google Forms to allow students to submit pictures, opening up new possibilities for assignments and assessments.
11. Document Organization: Implement checkboxes and dropdown menus in Google Docs for better structure and interactivity.
12. Customized Workspace: Rearrange your Google Workspace “waffle” to prioritize your most-used tools.
13. Quick Creation: Type “doc.new”, “sheet.new”, or “slides.new” in your browser to instantly create new Google documents.
14. Smart Chips: Use the @ sign in Google Docs to add “Smart Chips,” linking to people, files, and more.
15. Voice and Translation Tools: Take advantage of voice typing and translation features in Google Docs to break down language barriers.
16. Easy Citations: Use the built-in citation generator in Google Docs for hassle-free bibliography creation.
17. Quick Sharing: Save and share directly from Chrome for efficient collaboration.

These hidden gems demonstrate Google’s commitment to creating a more intuitive and efficient workspace for educators. By incorporating these tools into your daily routine, you can save time, improve organization, and create more engaging learning experiences for your students.

Remember, the goal is to learn at least one new idea to enhance your teaching, make your life easier, or streamline your classroom. Which of these hidden gems will you try first?

Stay curious, keep exploring, and happy teaching!

Jenna Krambeck-Reeh