Rarely Used Google Tools

You may have noticed there is a lot more in your Google Drive than just Docs and Slides but have been afraid to use them. Two of my favorite tools are the most frequently overlooked: Google Drawings and Google My Maps. Both of these are available in Google Drive and can be added to a Google Classroom assignment to expand student choice.

Google Drawings

Google Drawings is similar to a single Google Slide. You can edit the size of the drawing, add text boxes, images, charts from Google Sheets, and even GIFS (short animated pictures). I used Google Drawings combined with Screencastify to create many of the tutorials on the Snowline Tech website. Some ideas for student activities with Drawings can include creating infographics, model math problems, posters, "one-pagers) for AVID programs, illustrate a poem/short story, or allow students free drawing time to acquaint themselves with the tool.

Google My Maps

Google My Maps allows you to edit a map of the world. You can find any location, pin it, and then add details about the location including text, images, video,, and even edit the pin to any image you want. These maps can be shared with others just like any other object in your Google Drive. Student activities for My Maps can include mapping locations in social studies, planning a trip for math, mapping a character's path in a book, plan their futures by mapping where they want to go to school/live as an adult, or create a top ten list for their interests such as amusement parts.

I have made a tutorial page for Google Drawings (click here) on the Snowline Tech Help Site (bit.ly/snowlinetech), and I will be creating a tutorial for My Maps soon but for now, you can use the video I created for my students (click here).

If you have any great ideas for these tools, please tell us in the comments.