How to Use My Editable Resources Digitally in 5 Easy Steps

A lot of teachers are wanting to–or needing to–use resources from one of my curriculum sets digitally. I do create digital resources, but we all like versatility. So I’ve made my resources versatile. I’m going to show you how to use them digitally in 5 easy steps.

You can scroll down to the end of this post to see the video tutorial and download the cheat sheet (I know I like to have printed directions right in front of me when I’m trying something new). I also have a resource for this post in the Free Resource Library. You can click HERE to sign up for my email list. You get a helpful e-booklet in your inbox right after you sign up plus the password for the Free Resource Library.

I create resources to be primarily printable for two reasons:

1. Research show that taking notes by hand and using manipulatives increases student retention.
2. I’ve found over the years that having a tangible notebook really does help my students to stay organized.
3. My students are burned out on digital after distance learning during the pandemic. Most of them request paper copies of activities.

But printing everything out isn’t always realistic for us. Many districts have copy limits–not to mention the time standing in line at the copier and fixing inevitable paper-jams costs us.

It’s pretty easy to use the resources in my curriculum sets digitally. The first option is to upload the PDFs in the “Daily Documents to Post for Students” folder to your school’s LMS (Learning Management System). Students can type on them with a free app like DocHub or Kami. Be sure to check out my DocHub Cheat Sheet and Video HERE.

The second option is to load the Editable Resources to Google Slides and students can type on them–no outside apps necessary.

How to Use My Editable Resources Digitally in 5 Easy Steps

1. Open a new Google Slide.
2. Click on “File” and select “Page Setup.” Change the size to 8.5 x 11.
3. Go back to “File.” Select “Import Slides.” Open the Editable Resources.
4. Select “All’ or the specific slides you want to import.
5. Delete the 1st slide (it’s blank), and you’re ready to go!

It’s that easy!

A Note About Digital Resources

We need to make things easier on ourselves when we can. After all, it’s our students who are in our classes for their education. Unless I’m creating a digital resource that I plan to offer to you, I don’t waste my time adding text boxes to Google Slides. I teach my students up front how to do things like that so I don’t have to do it later.

Two years ago, my colleague, Joy, and I created a Google Slides activity for the first week of school. You can check out Joy’s TPT Store HERE. The activity serves two purposes:

1. We get to know the students.
2. They learn some of the basic tech skills that we want them to be able to use all year (like adding text boxes, sharing links, inserting images, using Google Keep…).

I find that if we assign this activity to students and then have them start applying the skills immediately, it saves a ton of time in the future.

Remember, to access the assignment in the Free Resource Library, you’ll need to sign up for my email list. You can do that HERE. You’ll get a useful E-Booklet that’ll help you amp up your teaching right away plus the Free Resource Library password.

I hope this helps, and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you have any questions!