[ARCHIVED] Google doc assignment

[dgrandits]

So...we have been using Schoology for 2 years and I was asked to give Canvas a try (which I happily agreed to). We started to use Canvas in January but I quickly found one aspect that was not going to work for me: attaching a Google doc as an assignment which then made a copy for each student...but, that I could NOT see their in-progress work as they were writing. This was a tremendous problem for me, a 7th grade ELA teacher. So I dropped Canvas and went back to Schoology.

Now, we are told we are only using Canvas next year and supposedly they have fixed this issue. I can't seem to be able to test it so I'm hoping someone out there knows if this is possible yet. I keep playing around with Canvas but don't even find the option to attach a document like I did before (this could be user error - it's been a while since I have played with it).

Curious if anyone has been able to assign a Google doc and make a copy for every student and then if you can see their in-progres work. I like to commenton/instruct/direct writing this way in ELA. Thanks!

[KristinL]

Hi Denise - In your exploration with Google Docs + Canvas, have you tried a Google Drive collaboration? If your institution has enabled the Google Drive integration, this could help you coach your ELA students.

[dgrandits]

Hi. No, this won't work. In Schoology, I can assign the document and it

makes a copy for each student. This collaboration isn't the same thing.

When I used Canvas in January, I could assign a copy of a single document

but couldn't see the in-progress work. Did that Google Drive assignment

thing go away?

Denise Grandits

Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District

Franklin Middle School

540 Parkhurst Boulevard

Buffalo, NY 14223

716-874-8404

Email: dgrandits@ktufsd.org

www.ktufsd.org

“Reading is not walking on the words;

• it's grasping the soul of them.” ― Paulo Freire*

On Wed, May 22, 2019 at 11:25 AM kristin.lundstrum@delasalle.com <

[KristinL]

Hi Denise -

I think there are some options. ...hopefully, some other K-12'ers will find your question and join the conversation as well.

I apologize for sending the Google Drive collaboration link earlier. I meant to send this: How do I create a Google Docs collaboration as an instructor? You could make each student their own group and collaborate with you.

Google Drive integration hasn't gone away --How do I connect to Google Drive as a web service in Canvas as an instructor? However, some schools elect to not have this available.

Even if Google Drive isn't available at your school, another way is to modify the shared URL within the assignment details. When you initially create a document and share it, .../sharing is at the end. Instead, make it .../copy That way, each time that link is clicked, the redirect will automatically create a pre-formatted copy for your students. You could ask them to submit the URL during class, and any time you want to check on them, you could open the link from your To Do list, gradebook, or speedgrader.

Is there a Technology Integration Specialist or Canvas Support team available to you? They may be able to help you with details that are specific to your school.

[dgrandits]

Hi! We do have Google integration. My problem was when I tried Canvas in

the winter, I could assign a Google doc as a writing assignment but could

only see it when students submitted. In Classroom and Schoology, I can see

as they type so I can instruct along the way. I hear Canvas may be working

on it this summer. I do hope so!! It's a game changer at the middle school

level.

Denise Grandits, PhD

Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District

Franklin Middle School

540 Parkhurst Boulevard

Buffalo, NY 14223

716-874-8404

Email: dgrandits@ktufsd.org

www.ktufsd.org

“Reading is not walking on the words;

• it's grasping the soul of them.” ― Paulo Freire*

On Wed, Jul 3, 2019 at 5:15 PM chofer@morainepark.edu <

[audra_agnelly]

Google has a new LTI called Google Course kit, which is currently in the pilot phase. I haven't seen it live, as we want to wait until the beta testing is complete, but I'm excited about the prospect. While wouldn't quite do what you're describing, it will allow students and teachers to pass ownership of the document back and forth: student submits, ownership passes to the teacher who can add feedback and markups, teacher "returns" document to student for further editing. So, while you wouldn't be able to view the document at any time, you can request that students submit their current drafts at the end of the class period or other deadline so you can review.

Information on the tool and to request to join the pilot are here: https://edu.google.com/products/course-kit/?modal_active=none I imagine you would need to work with your school or district technology team to add the integrations.

[dgrandits]

Thanks - I heard it was testing...and this won't make me happy as we are

being forced to use Canvas next year and I need to see in-progress student

work. I'll forward it on. Thanks for the info!

Denise Grandits

Kenmore-Town of Tonawanda School District

Franklin Middle School

540 Parkhurst Boulevard

Buffalo, NY 14223

716-874-8404

Email: dgrandits@ktufsd.org

www.ktufsd.org

“Reading is not walking on the words;

• it's grasping the soul of them.” ― Paulo Freire*

On Tue, Jun 4, 2019 at 2:08 PM audra_agnelly@hcpss.org <

[thompsli]

I have no idea if there's a better automated way to do this, but one thing that would work would be to break the assignment into two different assignments in Canvas. The first would be a "URL Submission" assignment where they needed to turn in the URL of their Google Doc after appropriately sharing it with you (for the sake of my inbox, I make my students do this using the "link sharing" settings and require them to have "can edit" as the permission level so I can see the document history and leave comments, but there are several different workflows possible for this). This would give you live links to all Google Docs. This could be "due" the same day the paper was assigned. If they're starting with a Google Docs template rather than creating a document from scratch, you can use the /copy option in the Google Doc URL you give them (which should be shared with them as "view only" rather than "can edit" to prevent student shenanigans) so they'll each get a copy of the doc to work with.

Then, you could have a separate assignment later where they turn in their "completed" assignment when it's actually due, either as a URL to the "live" doc again or as a File Upload so you have a static version for final grading.

[bob_thomas]

I have teachers using this method-students submit a URL of a shared document. Initially I thought it was a bad idea, but it works for them. It's helped address a big transition block from Google Classroom to Canvas. ELA teachers have grown accustomed to commenting directly on students' Google Docs as they work through drafts. 

[dgrandits]

Yes but I like to assign a document so I can track progress. I hope they fix this so it works like Classroom or Schoology. Otherwise, I won’t use it for writing assignments.

Denise Grandits

[BethCrook]

Okay, so it's a bit of work to set up, and depending on how many students you have and how many writing assignments you have, it may or may not be ideal, but it's possible.  You'll need the Google LTI installed by your Admin.  In Collaborations, create a document for each student and name it.

Assignment #4 - Beth  and assign student Beth.

Assignment #4 - Kristin and assign student Kristin

Assignment #4 - Bob and assign student Bob.

Here are the screenshots showing what I did.  Just imagine it listing many Assignments down the screen with many students.

Setting up the documents actually goes really fast because you are just clicking through and only having to change the student's name in the Collaboration name (you won't have to change any of the sharing permissions in the google doc anymore like the days of past WOOHOO!).  The only other thing you'll need to do is set up an Assignment for the students to turn in their Final Submission to receive their final grade when completed, if you wish to grade it that way.  OR, you could add an Assignment with an On Paper submission and add the grades without a submission.  

Now, if you don't need access to all of those documents after the assignments are submitted and graded, and the Collaborations area is getting long-listed for you, feel free to just delete them. If the document is submitted as an assignment, then you'll have it in SpeedGrader.  You just won't have the Edit access in GDocs. Does that make sense?  The student will still have/own the document in their Drive.

This is a GREAT way to do group writing projects and group research projects, to assure everyone is on the right track, etc.  With Google LTI, you can also choose Sheets and Slides as well, which we LOVE.  Especially for presentations and Science Labs, etc.

I know it isn't exactly what you are wanting, but perhaps it will be enough of a solution to fit your needs?

[dgrandits]

I’ll have about 100 students. I wish I could do it as I did it in Schoology or Google Classroom. I may just put a link to a Google Classroom where I’ll assign just writing tasks.

It’s frustrating because we were told Canvas could do everything these could and, apparently, that’s not the case. In middle school, writing is part of the teaching so I can’t just let them submit. There’s lots of teaching along the way.

Thanks for your thoughts. I may give it a whirl!

Denise Grandits

[BethCrook]

Oh jeez.  If it was like 40, that would have been totally doable in some capacity I feel like.  Cripes.  Hmmm... I'm thinking...  

[dgrandits]

Thanks! My tech people think there’s a work around but I think I may be stuck with Classroom for those assignments.

Denise Grandits

[rislis]

I am in the same boat with Language Arts teachers in my district. I also thought about the URL submission, as well as using Collaborations, but like  @dgrandits ‌, most teachers have over 100 students to monitor, so it just isn't as fluid as it is with Google Classroom.

My solution was for the teacher to share the URL of a Google Classroom Assignment as a link in Canvas. At the very least, it would allow students to access information from the same place instead of jumping between Google Classroom and Canvas. Losing the ability to monitor work as Language Arts teachers has been the one game-changer that keeps them from diving deep into Canvas. I understand your concerns,  @dgrandits ‌. Your teaching practice shouldn't have to change because the technology isn't capable of doing what you want. I'm positive that many others would agree!

[dgrandits]

So we got something called Google CourseKit. I hear we had to get approved. It works like we want. Look into it (I just found out about this for us on Thursday!). Huge sigh of relief.

The Canvas people said they are all about accessibility for all so it was the reason they hadn’t built something like this (I guess it was an issue?). When we met in person, I reiterated that guiding students through the writing process was is essential.

Denise Grandits

[rislis]

That's great!  Thanks for letting me know. I'll definitely look into that. Have a great year!

[dgrandits]

You, too!

Denise Grandits

[chadscott]

My solution would be to do a Google Cloud Assignment and have them immediately submit it to speedgrader. You could then go through speedgrader and click on the link to see the active version in Google drive. They could then resubmit to the same assignment when the draft and final are complete for grading/commenting.