Blue Mountain Math

Making Math Fun with Engaging Activities

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Free
  • Videos
  • Links

Why I am Obsessed with Digital Task Cards in Google Slides and Forms

A deck of task cards work fantastic in the classroom, but with distance learning we need a way to use those task cards digitally. Google Slides and Forms both serve that purpose.

Using task cards in both slides and forms adds a dimension to your in person classroom.

Task Cards in Google Slides

Google slides is similar to PowerPoint and having the cards available in the google produces makes it easy to assign through Google Classroom (and other online learning systems)  to your students.

There are some tricks to make this process easier for both you and your students.

Use the snipping tool to snip images for your task cards

Preparing Task Card Images

If you are making task cards from scratch (you don’t have a premade deck), then create right in google slides or PowerPoint.  If you have multiple slides to convert you can do one at a time, or do the entire set of slides by downloading as a PowerPoint and then saving the PowerPoint as images.

This saves you the time of downloading individual slides one at a time.

 If you have a set of task cards in a PDF file, then you can snip each one as an image. See Video.

Why Do You Want Images?

At this point you may be thinking, why do I need to do this work to create images. Just go for it and make the task cards. You can do that, but expect at least one student to delete your text, image, resize stuff, or worse– change the question to something they WANT to answer, lol. Creating an image makes the task card background permanent.

Transferring the Images to Task Cards

Once you have your images, upload as a background to google slides. You can then add a text box if you want students to answer right on the card. 

Here is the process in a quick video.

Upload those images to save yourself some time and headaches.

If the task cards are on a pdf (adobe file), then you can snip each of the task cards and save as images. Those images can be now uploaded as backgrounds to the slides.

I feel like I must also note that if you have purchased these task cards, you can make your personal deck digital for use with your students but you cannot share or sell the deck you create with content you purchased.

Advantages to Using Google Slides

  • Whole Class

You can present the slides to the whole class and ask students to answer in the chat in what is being called “waterfall”. This is when you ask students to type an answer and wait for the countdown until they hit “enter” and you see all the responses. The alternative is to have students answer you directly instead of the entire class.

This creates a good review, a beginning/ending to a lesson or a quick assessment during the lesson.

  • Partner Work

Students can be assigned the entire deck and work together to solve the problems or they can be assigned individual cards. Or, assign the students as Odd and Even and while they help each other they are also doing their own assigned problems. This option gives students support but also individual responsibility.

  • Group Work

The entire slide presentation can be assigned to groups that the teacher has formed. I made breakout rooms and assign tasks, giving the students time to work together. Depending on how many task cards you have, students may not finish in the time given. They get support and can have additional time to complete outside of class.

Disadvantages

Grading is the only disadvantage to using google slides for task cards, which is the same disadvantage as using a deck in the classroom. Using QR codes on the cards is one option. This works well when students still are expected to show their work.

  • You can also use QR codes or task card answers on a separate page and post it the next day so students can check their work, correcting any mistakes or getting specific help. 

I typically do not grade by correct answer on an activity such as this. This is practice, so students who have substantially done the work will receive the credit.

Task Cards in Google Forms

The main advantage to using task cards in google forms is being able to have students check their answers. You could assign the deck through google slides and then create a google form to just enter answers.

You can upload those images and use this as a quiz, releasing the missed answers to students. You can use these settings so students see exactly which answers need to be revisited. Note: setting it as a “quiz” does not mean that you grade it as a quiz. It is a self-checking activity that students can use to understand their errors.

You can also use those images as I have done that with my digital scavenger hunts. Like a regular scavenger hunt, the student begins at one problem and their answer leads them to the next problem. If they make a mistake along the way, they will loop around until they correct their mistake.

Advantages to Using Google Forms

Of course, being self-grading is the main advantage, but forms also has the advantage of allowing students to upload their written work for the problems. Add a line at the end of the form and students can upload a file or image.

While Google Forms eliminates the disadvantage of google slides because it does the grading, you still need to view the answers. The grading is dependent on how well you create the forms and enter the answer key.

  • Multiple choice will eliminate any problem answers. Grading is perfect. You can even create questions that have multiple correct answers and it is nearly impossible for students to create a problem.

If you want to use free response (short answer), then you will have to enter the correct answer and this is where the grading sometimes goes awry.

  • Kids do not answer simple questions with simple answers–they leave spaces, misspell words, etc. Even something as simple as a discount question with a money answer goes wrong if instead of answering $10.50, the student answers 10.5, 10.5$ or 10.50$. And leaving spaces between the dollar sign and numbers creates more variations.

After I have collected the answers, I always view responses to understand how students did, and correct any of those entering issues.

Not Just for Online/Distance Learning

Using task cards with google slides and forms creates a lot of possibilities with distance learning, but do not discount if you are in the classroom.

  • How do you handle absent students when they miss the task card activity? If you have a digital form, they can still have the benefit of the practice. Or students who go on vacation and want the work up front. Digital options make this easier.
  • What about students who are on illness leave? We call it home hospital and a teacher helps students 1 or 2 hours a week to catch up on all assignments. This is a perfect option for those students.
  • And students who need extra practice? A digital option gives them the extra practice. If you are thinking “If the task cards are the same and they have seen the problems, won’t they just remember them”. Well, I wish!  I once used the 2 problems 4 times during a two week period and no one ever noticed, but they did improve at getting them correct.

If you have not used that favorite task card deck because you are distance learning, give it a try this week. Try both slides and forms and see which format your students prefer.   If you have any questions or comments, drop them below.

Looking for resources for fun practice and celebrates upcoming holidays? Check these out for February and March. Just click on the cover to read more about the product.

  • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Rules-of-Exponents-Abraham-Lincoln-Quotable-3576287
  • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Equations-Valentines-Riddle-4283160
  • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/One-Step-and-Two-Step-Inequalities-Winter-Riddle-4241988
  • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Simplifying-Radicals-Valentines-Riddle-4291688
  • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Systems-Winter-Riddle-4241968
  • https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Area-of-Circles-Albert-Einstein-Quotable-3700939

Filed Under: activities, checks for understanding, games, internet activities, review, station activities Leave a Comment

« How QR Codes Can Transform Your Classroom
What I’ve Learned About Making Task Card Templates, Frames and Borders »

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Categories

Boom Learning

Teachers Pay Teachers

Amazon Disclosure

Blue Mountain Math is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. The links that are indicated as "affiliate links" mean I will be paid a small sum at no additional cost to you. Blue Mountain Math uses links to provide a service to the reader about products that have been used.

Latest on Pinterest

  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice finding combination and permutations. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)
  • Students practice using the distributive property, both in distributing and combining like terms, in these 2 puzzles in google slides. There are 2 puzzles--one in each simple level and challenging level. In the simpler level, the outside edges are blank, so if students are having difficulty, have them arrange the pieces so the blank sides are on the outside.
  • Sector Area in a Circle Paper Chain is a fun, engaging  activity that is self-checking, collaborative. Set of 15 problems that need to be cut apart, reassembled in the correct order and fastened together like a chain until the end is reached. Great worksh
  • This is a twisted trivia game where students (either in groups or playing individually with white boards) practice identifying solutions and writing inequalities from graphs. Check out the video preview to see the type of questions included.
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice tipping using a percentage and finding the total meal cost. I use this in my teen finance course during the budgeting unit. This is great reinforcement of rounding and using percents. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!) #bluemountainmath #boomcards
  • Great practice, worksheet alternative, formative assessment for students that you can HEAR if they are successful.  No printing, no laminating.  A Lifetime tool for the classroom.
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice solving one step equations and assessing their understanding. This will give students a challenge in solving equations. Students will see 6 different equations and need to select the two with the same answer. This set of Boom Cards features 40 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this deck, students practice adding expenses from a budget, finding savings on budget choices and finding budgeted amounts. I use this in my teen finance course during the budgeting unit. This is great reinforcement of rounding and using percents. This set of Boom Cards features 35 different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)#bluemountainmath #boomcards
  • Boom Cards™ are a great way for students to practice every day skills In this 20- card deck, students practice solving quadratics using the quadratic formula This set of Boom Cards features different Digital Self-Checking Task Cards. (No printing, cutting, laminating, or grading!)

Latest on Instagram

Bow Ties send a signal that you are smarter and mo Bow Ties send a signal that you are smarter and more tech savvy than people who wear neck ties.....just a thought..... #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
My cat is upset that dogs have a day until I expla My cat is upset that dogs have a day until I explained that National Cat Day is October 29. So Happy Dog Day to all your fur family. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
And for my southern relatives, have some fried chi And for my southern relatives, have some fried chicken with those waffles #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
AT last, a day for those of us who are over a cert AT last, a day for those of us who are over a certain age. Although, the picture does not reflect many of us. We are not sitting with our hands folder, we are still active and making a difference. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
I still love radio, mostly music. I used to listed I still love radio, mostly music. I used to listed to a lot of talk radio, but it got so negative that I noticed it was influencing my day. Are you a talk radio person and do you notice that? #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Did you know that the Wright Brothers who are cred Did you know that the Wright Brothers who are credited with the first airplane flight were not funded by the government? The government had funded several others, who failed. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Why can't we have a fajita day each week like Taco Why can't we have a fajita day each week like Taco Tuesday?  We could have Fajita Friday each week  So today enjoy the fajitas and think about having them weekly--like tacos. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
We have already used our colored markers and penci We have already used our colored markers and pencils.  Yeah, I love color. #teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt
Did you know that left handed people have brains t Did you know that left handed people have brains that work differently? Their brains communicates differently and have greater verbal skills....⁣
#teachersfollowteachers  #teachersofig #iteachtoo #iteachmath#mathteachers #mathteacher #iteachalgebra ⁣
#iteachgeometry #highschoolmathteacher ⁣
#highschoolteacher ⁣
#mathteachertribe#teachersofinstagram  #secondarymath #secondarymathteacher  #secondaryteacher⁣
#geometry⁣
#teachertribe⁣
#tpt ⁣
#teacherspayteachers #algebra #teachersoftpt

Latest on Facebook

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
You have to do what makes you comfortable, however it is not feasible or even necessary to grade line item on every single paper and still remain sane.Read more 👉 lttr.ai/rkwv#minimizeclassroomdisruptions #savetime #seatingchart #seatingcharts #routines;TimeSavingTips #completenoncompletedassignment ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
Engaging Activities for Math Class after Spring Break: lttr.ai/vBby#familiaractivities #feelsafe #activities #famousthinghappened #blanktaskcards #doesntbelongworks #familiarclassroomstructure ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
It takes a long time to get a bingo, sometimes the entire class period is spent trying to get just one.Read more 👉 lttr.ai/jVPW#greatpractice #increasesengagement #bingo #playbingo #reviewmathwithbingo ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
Algebra tiles offers a great way to see an expression or what makes a variable different from an integer.Read the full article: Ways to Get Started With Algebra Tiles▸ lttr.ai/tLkj#concreteexamples #algebraicconcepts #algebratiles #manipulatives #activities ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Blue Mountain Math

10 months ago

Blue Mountain Math
After students finish the worksheet, and the work is shown, have them scan to see if their answers were right.Read the full article: Save Time Grading▸ lttr.ai/sjen#homework #collectedclasswork #grading #selfcheckingactivities #partneractivities #activities ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

    No search term specified. Showing recent items. Search or use up and down arrow keys to select an item.