Using Digital Slides on Google Classroom

The way we teach and set up classwork has changed dramatically since the start of the year. We've been forced to adapt to going digital and use platforms in ways that we've never used them before.

Digital resources have become the norm, this doesn't have to be scary and it doesn't mean we can no longer use the fun and engaging resources we used to use in our classrooms.

I've been creating lots of digital slides to adapt to this change and have been receiving lots of questions about how to use them on various platforms. Here is a step by step tutorial for assigning slides on Google Classroom. This tutorial works for any slideshow resource that has permission for online use.

Step #1 - Prepare the file for assigning
Some files are ready to go and some files require a small amount of prep. This can range from deleting the first few credit pages, duplicating pages and creating additional questions.

Step #2 - Create the task and assign
Click on 'Classwork' at the top

Click 'Create' and then 'Assignment'

Fill in the fields. You can choose to leave the instructions field blank, I like to give students instructions on how to edit the file in Google Slides.

Make sure you choose 'Make a copy for each student'!

Click 'Assign' and you're done.

Now you've assigned your slide, it's time to get students using and submitting their work.

The tasks should appear in the class stream. Students can click on the task on the stream or by clicking on 'Classwork' at the top.

When students click on the task, they should see this. 'Tales From Miss D' will be replaced by the student's name.

Step #1 - Click on the file listed under 'Your Work'
This will open the file in 'View Mode'

Step #2 - Click on the three dots in the top, right corner and choose 'Open in a new window'

The file will then open in a new tab.

Step #3 - Click 'Open with Google Slides' at the top

This will open the file in a new tab, in Google Slides where the students can complete the activities.

Student work should save automatically as they are editing the slides.

Step #4 - Submitting Work
Once complete, students can close the file by closing the tab. They return to the original screen which looks like this;


To submit the work, students click 'Turn In'. A confirmation will pop up;

Students click 'Turn In' and the work will be submitted for you to view.

Once you've used this a few times, you and your students will become masters at Google Classroom. I've become a fan of digital tasks and can see myself continuing to use these even when we go back to 'normal' routine.

I hope this tutorial has helped you, as always if you have any questions, please reach out via any of my social media platforms and I will do my best to answer any questions.

Happy teaching,

Using Seesaw for Distance Learning

Have you switched to Distance Learning recently? Did you know you can still use your favourite class activities online using Seesaw?

Here's a simple tutorial to get you started.

1) Open your Seesaw account

2) Click on the green 'Add' button


3) Choose 'Assign Activity'


4) Click 'Create New Activity'

5)  Type the title and any instructions you wish to add

6) Under 'Student Template', click 'Add template for student responses'


7) Choose 'Upload' and select your PDF file

8) Choose 'Other Locations' and select your .PDF file


9) The .PDF file should open. You can delete any unwanted pages by pressing on the three dots in the bottom right corner of the page previews.


10) When you're ready, click the green tick.

11) Press 'save' at the bottom.


12) Then press 'Assign' and choose your class.

13) Activities for your class can now be found by pressing the activities tab.


Students will be able to respond by drawing, typing and even recording their voice!

Here are some examples using some of my printable .PDF resources;



Past, Present and Future Tense


Editing Sentences


120 Chart Fill In

I hope this tutorial has helped you set up some activities for your class.

Happy teaching!

Digital Learners

Technology is everywhere. Homes, schools and out in public. I think it is very important that we teach our students how to be responsible while using technology. I feel very strongly about this as I have had my own issues with people abusing technology and it's something that no one should have to go through or put up with.

So here are three resources that can be used to help teach students about the safe and responsible use of technology :)

Resource 1 - Internet Safety

This resource covers the topics of;

1) What is the Internet and what is it used for?

2) What is Cyberbullying? What can you do about it?

3) What is Cyberharassment? What can you do about it?

4) Tips for Internet safety

5) Permanency of things posted online

6) Police involvement

I think there are some people out there who think that because things are done online, it's not as serious as it is not "real life". The thing is, technology has now become such a big part of everyday life, that things done online are in fact done in "real life". To use the excuse that "it doesn't matter because it's online" is ignorant and a pretty weak way to try and justify bad behaviour. It doesn't matter whether it's done in person or online; if it's wrong, it's wrong. No excuses. If you know you would get intro trouble for doing it offline, you can get in trouble for doing it online.

I also think that people are unaware of the fact that they can seek help from the police over cyber issues. I know for a fact that in Australia, the police can and will get involved over issues such as Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking. People may assume that the police have bigger issues to deal with, but the reality is that they are there to help us whether the issue be big or small. 

The issue of permanency is also a big one. I think this stems from a lack of understanding about what the Internet is and what it's made up of. Perhaps a good way of demonstrating this, would be to use two iPads and send a message between them. Have one person delete the message from one of the iPads and make a point about how it is still on the other iPad. Then show how the message can then be sent and uploaded to anyone.

Resource 2 - Digital Citizens

We are all digital citizens and the notion of Digital Citizenship is an issue that we come across in our classrooms when implementing online learning environments. We want our students to use technology effectively, so we must teach them how to use it effectively. 

This resource covers the topics of;

1) What is a Digital Citizen and how can you be a good Digital Citizen?

2) Don't be a Digital Pest (bad Digital Citizen)

3) Digital Footprints and how they can convey information about you

This resource would be perfect to use when setting up a class blog or Edmodo group.

Resource 3 - Cyberbullying

This is also a pretty big issue. Once again, I think people assume that because things are done online it's not as serious and they can get away with it.  

Included in this resource;

1) What is Cyberbullying? What are some examples of Cyberbullying?

2) What can you do about it?

3) Perspectives of a victim and a bully 

With this resource I wanted to get students thinking about the two perspectives; from the victim and the bully. So included in this resource are two stories. One from the victim of cyberbullying and one from a cyberbully. There are discussion questions which look at the feelings, actions and reasoning behind the actions. This also opens up a discussion about what students can do. 

By educating and making students aware of these issues, we can help prevent technology from being used in an abusive and negative way.

You can check out these resources by clicking here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!