Understanding by Design: Online Productivity Tools 

EDUC602 Steve Bradbury 

 
Stage 1 - Desired Results 
Established Goals:  
● Students understand the fundamental concepts of online productivity tools (particularly Google 
Tools for Education), demonstrate the ability to choose, use, and troubleshoot these tools and 
are able to transfer their knowledge to explore other productivity tools. (modified standard from 
ISTE Standards for Students​ 1d) 
● “Students choose the appropriate platforms and tools for meeting the desired objectives of their 
creation and communication. “ (​ISTE Standards for Students​ 6a) 
 
 

1.1 Enduring Understandings  1.2 Essential Questions 

Students will understand that . . . .   ● What is the appropriate tool for a given 
● Different productivity tools serve different  project or task. Why? 
purposes.  ● How do Google Productivity Tools (Docs, 
● Tools can be used in conjunction with each  Sheets, Slides) compare to other platforms 
other.  such as Microsoft and Apple? 
● Tools share common functions.  ● If something does not work as I expected, 
● Each tool has unique features.  how do I work around the issue to produce 
● Learning tools on one platform can help  my desired outcome? 
transfer skills to another platform. 
● Constructive feedback helps to make each 
other better. 
 
 

1.3 Acquisition of Knowledge and Skills 

Students will know . . . .    Students will be able to . . .  

● The icons of each Google Productivity Tool  ● Independently sign in to their Google 
(think Docs, Sheets, Slides and Forms)..  account. 
● The functions within the Productivity Tools.  ● Create, edit, and share a Google Doc 
● Equivalent tools on different platforms (ie.,  ● Create, edit, sort, and manipulate Google 
Google Docs and Microsoft Word).  Sheets. 
  ● Create, edit, and manipulate Google Slides. 
  ● Create, share, and review data using 
  Google Forms. 
  ● Integrate multiple tools within one project 
  ● Collaborate with classmates online using 
  Google. 
  ● Provide constructive comments on a peer’s 
project. 
● Troubleshoot common problems related to 
the productivity tools. 
 

Adapted from Understanding by Design (p. 22), by G. Wiggins and J. McTighe, 2005, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson 
Education, Inc. Copyright 2005 by ASCD. 
 Stage 2 - Assessment Evidence 
Performance Tasks:  Other Evidence: 
● Create a Google Doc to outline goals for the  ● Classroom observations as students 
year and steps to achieve them.  explore the Google Productivity Tools 
● Create a gradebook to keep track of grades  ● Mini-assessments on the Google icons and 
using Google Sheets.  uses of the tools 
● Create a Google Slide presentation as a  ● Student reflections and self-assessment 
“how-to guide” for troubleshooting a  after each performance task 
common tech problem.  ● Peer assessment and feedback 
● Create and share a Google Form to collect 
information about a school activity or team. 
● Create a multi-tool project in which two or 
more tools are integrated to highlight a 
current technology issue or trend. 

Stage 3 - Learning Plan 

Learning Activities: 
● Productivity Tools Overview - students will investigate different productivity tools available to 
them through their City Schools account (including Google and Office 365). How are they 
similar? What do they do? 
● Google Tools for Education - students take a closer look at Google Tools specifically and focus 
on a few of the productivity tools (namely Docs, Slides, Sheets, and Forms). How are these 
used? 
● Google Docs - students take a deeper look at Google Docs. What can we create with Docs? 
How do we use the functionality tools? Students create the Google Doc goals task. 
● Commenting and Collaboration - students learn to share documents and discover what makes 
feedback/comments constructive.  
● Google Slides - students take a deeper look at Google Slides. What can we create with Slides? 
How do we use the functionality tools? Students create the how-to guide. 
● Google Forms - students take a deeper look at Google Forms. What can we create with Forms? 
How do we use the functionality tools? Students create the activity survey and review the data. 
● Google Sheets - students take a deeper look at Google Sheets. What can we create with 
Sheets? How do we use the functionality tools? Students create the gradebook. 
● Multi-tool project - students utilize two or more of the productivity tools to highlight a current 
issue or trend in the world of technology. Students share their work with at least two classmates 
for constructive feedback. 
 

Adapted from Understanding by Design (p. 22), by G. Wiggins and J. McTighe, 2005, Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson 
Education, Inc. Copyright 2005 by ASCD.