Thank goodness for Google! Seriously, though, how would we ever survive without it? And for teachers in particular, Google Classroom is a lifesaver. However, I’d argue that Google’s organizational tools are an underutilized and equally powerful resource for supporting students. Once kids learn how to use them, they’re so much more likely to do better in school (and avoid tons of stress). That’s because no matter how brilliant a student is, they won’t do well in school if they’re disorganized. Luckily, getting organized is a breeze with Google Calendar, Google Tasks, and Google Keep.
Thanks to school portals and Google Classroom, students always know what’s due. However, these resource don’t help kids to plan for deadlines. And while middle schoolers and high schoolers should know to plan ahead, they often need more handholding than we think when it comes to getting organized. For many, planning what to do each night entails little more than checking the portal. Then they’ll complete the work that’s due in the order it’s posted. For some, that also means tackling essays and projects the night before they’re due, and a whole lot of cramming. These issues are often associated with executive function difficulties, but they’re also just part of learning to be a student. Hopefully the features below will help you to better help them. And hey, maybe they’ll simplify your life too!
Google Calendar
Yes, Google Classroom syncs with Google Calendar, but many kids only use their calendar to view deadlines. Instead, students should learn to use Google Calendar more actively to actually create and manage a schedule for themselves. Kids can use the calendar to manage class schedules and Zoom links, after school activities, meetings with teachers, etc. It will help students become more independent and feel more in control. Plus, with the ability to set reminders, kids won’t need to worry about remembering so much!
Google Tasks
For less time-specific responsibilities, there is Google Task. This resource makes it possible to create tasks that can be linked to specific dates but aren’t tied to a window of time. Plus, because Google Tasks is like a to-do list, students are able to actively keep track of their progress by marking tasks as complete. This is a great tool for managing homework, or for teaching students how to plan backwards for larger assignments.
Google Keep
Like Google Task, Google Keep is great for making to-do lists, but it’s more like smart, virtual post-its. Students are able to create and manage to-do lists and outline tasks, but they can also easily link these items to specific sources like websites or documents, and they can include images in their notes. Plus, students can also set alarms for Google Keep notes based on a day/time or geography. Google Keep is great for planning, brainstorming, and organizing for specific tasks. Plus, it can also be used for taking notes while reading or doing research.
On a final note, we often assume that kids know how to use these tools. They’re digital natives who don’t know life without iPhones or Google! However, learning how to plan, organize, and manage time is not something that comes naturally to many students. That’s why it is so important to explicitly teach students how to use these resources. The more clear and supportive direction we can provide, the more likely they are to see the value in getting organized.
English 
Spanish