5 features of Google Docs to help students with their writing projects
Google Docs has a host of powerful features that are available for users for complimentary. Some of these features are overlooked by our students which minimizes the educational potential of this platform. A few weeks ago I started a series of posts shedding light on Docs features that are integral to students learning. The purpose is to assistance students make the best of Docs inwards their learning.
After roofing Docs accessibility features, today'sec mail service highlights some central features to aid students amongst their writing.
1- Spelling too Grammar
The Spelling too Grammar functionality has 4 features: spelling too grammer bank check, spelling suggestions, grammar suggestions in addition to a personal dictionary. The get-go three features when activated will help students optimize the mechanics of their writing avoiding every bit many errors as possible. Here is how to activate them:
- In Docs, open a document
- Click on Tools → Spelling and grammar
- Check the iii beginning features
2- Personal Dictionary
Docs integrated dictionary puts a squiggle nether words it does not recognize which tin be actually annoying specially when yous include words from another language or when y'all usage neologisms. You tin can overcome this by using the personal dictionary feature. Personal dictionary lets you add your ain words to Docs dictionary. In this way, Docs will recognize them as well as will non non grade them equally misspelled. Here is how to add words to Docs personal dictionary:
- In Docs, open up a document
- Click on Tools → Personal Dictionary
- Type the give-and-take and click Add
- Click on the bin icon next to the added word to delete it
3- Compare Documents
The Compare Documents characteristic allows students to rails changes betwixt ii docs over fourth dimension. They tin can compare their papers as well as come across what has changed take been added/deleted. Here is to access the Compare Documents characteristic:
- In Docs, open a document
- Click on Tools → Compare documents
- Select the comparing document
- In the 'Attribute differences to plain' type in "the bring up of the user who will be labelled every bit the author of the suggested edits in the comparison output file."
- Check 'Include comments from the selected document'.
- Click on Compare.
4- Citations
Students tin can utilisation Docs citation feature to easily add citations as well as bibliographies to their documents. Docs supports 3 citation formats: MLA, APA, as well as Chicago. To open the citation tool:
- In Docs, open a document
- Click on Tools → citations
- From the citation sidebar that appears on the right, select a formatting way.
4.1- To add together a citation source:
- Click on +Add citation source inward the Citations sidebar
- Select Source type (e.g., Book, Website, Journal article, etc)
- Select how the source was accessed (e.g, print, website, online database)
- Type in the citation details
- Click on +Contributor to add together multiple contributors
- Click Add citation source.
4.2- To add together an inwards-text citation
- "In your document, place your cursor where you lot desire the citation to appear.
- In the Citations sidebar, signal to the source and click Cite.
- If # appears inwards your citation, supersede it amongst the page number for your citation or delete it."
4.3- To edit/delete a citation source:
In the Citations sidebar, betoken to the source that you lot want to edit/delete together with click More together with so Edit/Delete.
4.4- To add a bibliography
- "In your document, place your cursor where y'all desire the bibliography to appear.
- In the Citations sidebar, at the bottom, click Insert bibliography."
Use Explore inwards Docs to add content from the web as well as/or Google Drive
Explore allows students to easily search for too add together content from the web and /or Google Drive. Here is how to access Explore:
- In Docs, open a document
- Click on Explore at the bottom right
- Use the search box to search for content. Search results will present in three categories:
"Web: Info from the spider web related to your document.
Images: Images from the spider web related to your document.
Drive: Documents saved in your Google Drive.
Add an item from your search:
Add an icon or nautical chart: Click the item yous want to add together. At the acme, click Insert.
Add a footnote: Point to your search upshot. Click Cite equally footnote Cite as footnote".
Add a link: Point to your search outcome. Click Insert Link +".
5- Dictionary
Docs has an integrated dictionary that lets you search for definitions together with synonyms without leaving Docs. To use Docs dictionary:
- In Docs, open a document
- Click on Tools → Dictionary
- Type in your inquiry in the search box in the sidebar on the right.
