Google Docs for Classroom Projects - Project Templates

Google Docs is an awesome platform for classroom projects! In project-based learning teachers will provide project directions, requirements, and resources to their students when beginning a project. Usually that's in the form of a paper handout of some sort. Some teachers like to provide an electronic document that will get students started.

In the past we've easily created a Word or other document template. When the student opens the template a fresh new copy is provided for him/her without affecting the original document. Google Docs has a unique method for sharing documents.

Here's my first attempt at creating a class folder with a project templates collection (folder) that will help provide project starter documents:

1. Create a class GROUP in your Gmail contacts. (This will make it easier for sharing collections with the whole class)

2. Create a Class collection (folder) and share it with the class as VIEW ONLY using the "Can view" permissions setting. The class folder is set to "Can view" so that others cannot modify the folder setup.

3. Inside the Class collection I've created two other collections. One Inbox that will be used for submitting assignments and one Assignment template folder.

4. The Inbox collection may be shared with the class as "Can edit". This will allow students to submit files there. It's not a perfect solution as students can see other's projects. This is another post.

5. The Assignment template collection should be shared with the class as "Can view". This will allow you to create assignment templates. Students will be able to open and view items in this collection. They will not be able to edit the original. They may, using the file menu, create a copy of the template and rename it as their own to begin the project. I like to provide students with naming conventions to make file collection unique and organized.

For the remainder of the course the teacher may create an assignment starter template, place it into the Assignment Template collection, and it is properly shared using the permissions on the collections. The document will be shared with the class as view only.

Students may place completed projects into the Class Inbox. That will make the document available to the teacher for grading, comments, etc. The inbox needs some work. I hope that Google will institute the necessary sharing permissions to create a more private dropbox-like feature.

Have you found similar solutions? Please share!