Google Docs is an extremely universal tool. This Google app is quickly taking hold as a replacement for Microsoft Word in many school districts. Despite its formatting downfalls, this app has some great tools. This post will outline the snapshot tool and some practical applications for this in your classroom.

How to take a snapshot:
  • Open your Google Doc
  • Click on insert, then on image

  • Instead of Upload, choose Take a snapshot

  • Your computer will ask for permission to use the camera, grant this
  • That is it! You can use your camera to take a picture of the material you would like to add to your document

Practical Uses for this Tool
Portfolios - Students have one Google Document that is an ongoing record of their work. They are continuously adding new snapshots of material they are completing.

Math Show Your Work - Post the questions on the Google doc and require students to submit snapshots of the work they did in their notebook.

Get to Know You - Fun way for kids to interact with each other. Have them take snapshots of their 3 favorite things, then as a class try to decide who's document is who's.

Quick Student Shares - This was key in Kindergarten. Instead of kiddos typing up a problem, they could write them on a whiteboard or in their notebook, then I could take a snapshot of their work to share with the class.

Paperless Models - Use tools like a Magnet Doodle, Etchescetch, Whiteboards for students to work out their problems on then have them take snapshots of the work before moving on. No paper is needed, but documentation is taken.

Office Uses - Record student passes in a running record style to document it for conferences or report cards.

Document the Learning Process - Record failures, successes, thoughts during a project and have students reflect on how and why these instances occurred.