Create an assignment using Google Docs

There are two ways you can create an assignment for your students using Google Docs™:

  • Attach one or more Google Docs to an assignment, and make them "student editablee." When a student opens the assignment, Aspen saves the file with their name appended, such as Review questions -- Gomes, Marcia. Students can make edits to the document, and then post it back to you.
    Note: Making a Google Doc assignment student-editable is different from selecting Can Edit at the "Access when shared in Group Resources" drop-down.
  • Attach one or more Google Docs to an assignment, and make them "read-only." Each student can view the documents but not edit them. For example, you might want to share a copy of the Gettysburg Address with your students, so they can memorize the passage and recite it to the class.

    Note: To preview a Google Doc before you attach it to an assignment, click the icon.

To add a student-editable Google Doc to an assignment:

  1. Log on to the Staff view.
  2. Click the Gradebook or Planner tab, and then use the following steps:
  1. From the Gradebook tab: From the Planner tab:
    1. Click the Assignments side-tab.

    Do one of the following:

    • Open My Resources (not accessible from the Curriculum View). Click, drag, and drop the Google Doc onto the date you want to assign the assignment on your Planner. The New Assignment page displays the Google Doc in the Resources Provided by the Teacher field. Select Make Student Editable, and then click Save.
    • In the Events View, click in the cell for the day you want to create an assignment. Select Add Assignment or Add Ungraded Assignment. In the Resources Provided by the Teacher field, click Select Google Doc. From the Google Docs pick list, select the document you want to associate with the assignment. Select Make Student Editable, and then click Save.
    • From the Options menu, click Add Assignment or Add Ungraded Assignment. In the Resources Provided by the Teacher field, click Select Google Doc. From the Google Docs pick list, select the document you want to associate with the assignment. Select Make Student Editable, and then click Save.
    1. From the Options menu, click Add Assignment or Add Ungraded Assignment.
    1. In the Resources Provided by the Teacher field, do one of the following:
      • Click Select Google Doc. From the Google Docs pick list, select the document you want to associate with the assignment. Click Save, and then select Make Student Editable.
      • Click Drag and Drop from My Resources. From the My Resources window, click, drag, and drop the document you want to associate with the assignment into the Resources Provided by the Teacher field. Click Save, and then select Make Student Editable.

  2. Notes:

    • Before you can make a Google Doc student editable, Aspen displays the following warning:

    • Once you make a document student editable, it is not possible to undo this action.
  1. In the Online submission fields, enter open and close dates. Student can only post their completed assignment within this timeframe.
  2. Complete the assignment details at the top of the page, including the Grade Term field at right.
  3. Click Save.

  4. Notes:

    • Google Drive organizes your files for you. It creates an Aspen folder, with a Courses and Users subfolder inside. Each student submission is listed by course and user.
    • If you try to open a document you have placed in your Google trash, you will receive an error message from Google.

To add a read-only Google Doc to an assignment:

  1. Log on to the Staff view.
  2. Click the Gradebook or Planner tab, and then use the following steps:
  3. From the Gradebook tab: From the Planner tab:
    1. Click the Assignments side-tab.

    Do one of the following:

    • Open My Resources (not accessible from the Curriculum View). Click, drag, and drop the Google Doc onto the date you want to assign the assignment on your Planner. The New Assignment page displays the Google Doc in the Resources Provided by the Teacher field. Click Save.
    • In the Events View, click in the cell for the day you want to create an assignment. Select Add Assignment or Add Ungraded Assignment. In the Resources Provided by the Teacher field, click Select Google Doc. From the Google Docs pick list, select the document you want to associate with the assignment. Click Save.
    • From the Options menu, click Add Assignment or Add Ungraded Assignment. In the Resources Provided by the Teacher field, click Select Google Doc. From the Google Docs pick list, select the document you want to associate with the assignment. Click Save.
    1. From the Options menu, click Add Assignment or Add Ungraded Assignment.
    1. In the Resources Provided by the Teacher field, do one of the following:
    • Click Select Google Doc. From the Google Docs pick list, select the document you want to associate with the assignment. Click Save.
    • Click Drag and Drop from My Resources. From the My Resources pop-up, click, drag, and drop the document you want to associate with the assignment into the Resources Provided by the Teacher field. Click Save.
  1. Complete the assignment details at the top of the page, including the Grade Term field at right.
  2. Click Save.