What are Links?
Just a quick refresher: links (or hyperlinks) are data that a user can directly follow either by clicking, tapping, or hovering. In other words, links use web addresses to make words or parts of documents connect to other content on the web. For example: This Link takes you to get a FREE copy of my ebook. (Yes, I am aware that was a shameless plug…but it still made my point).
You can use links same way in Google Docs, or almost any word processing or office application. Links are an easy way to reference documents, images, videos, or any other content you want to allow the reader to access quickly and efficiently.
If you need to know how to create links within a Google doc, watch this video.
So why is any of this important? Well, there are some pretty cool ways you can utilize this in your classroom. Here are just 3 of them.
1. Make Meeting Notes Come Alive:
When you are meeting with your team or administration there are often several pieces of information or data being discussed at once. In order to make things smoother, you can easily use links in the agenda or shared meeting notes (using Google Docs) so that everyone can access the files they need or the data being reviewed.
If you fully integrate Google drive, this makes things like sharing the presentation or data in sheets a breeze. It also prevents loads of paperwork or handouts during the meeting which gets things off to a quick start and keeps everyone on track.
2. Make Student Assignments More Engaging:
By using links you can make your (digital) student assignments come alive. If you are referencing a video, website, article, or document, you can easily link the document or activity to other resources allowing your students to explore the content in multiple ways at once.
You can also embed links to things like quizzes or assessments using Google Forms. This not only makes lessons and activities more interesting for students, but it saves time passing out multiple papers or sharing links on the board. This also lets your students get exactly what they need when they need it.
Even if you’re assignments are printed out, having a digital version with links is still a great way to share homework (If you assign homework) or assignments with parents or students who miss class. This ensures that the content can be accessed anytime, anywhere, without having to send and receive multiple emails about what site they need to use.
3. Save Time Planning:
Every year you probably sift through your files, binders, or folders to find that activity or worksheet that goes with the lesson you’re about to cover with your students. If you use links on your digital files, lesson plans, or unit plans, you can simply click them the next time they are needed and print everything you need, all from one place.
What are you waiting for?
I know changing how you do things isn’t always easy, but the sooner you start making changes, the sooner you can start reaping the benefits! Take an old assignment or Google doc and try to add a few links to make it more useful. Or, the next time you have a meeting, use some links in the agenda before sharing it with the members of your team.
At the end of the day, the point is always to make things easier for you and, more importantly, more engaging for your staff and/or your students.
Have you used links before or have other great Google Drive tips? I’d love to hear about them in the comments! You can also always email me. (see how I even ended this blog with a link?…pretty neat huh?…your turn!)