How to Use Google Sheets as a Teacher or Educator

Google Sheets is a web-based spreadsheet tool that is free to use with a Google account, much like Google Docs and Slides.

Unlike these other tools, Google Sheets seems to be used less frequently by teachers and educators, even though it has many practical applications for the classroom.

In today’s blog post, I’m sharing how to get started with Google Sheets as a teacher or educator.

Explore the Template Gallery

You can create spreadsheets from scratch, but Google Sheets also has plenty of pre-made templates that you can check out in the Template Gallery.

To access the Template Gallery, open up Google Sheets and click the drop down menu on the top right hand side of your screen titled “Template gallery.”

Browse through spreadsheet templates for personal use, work, project management, and even education.

I’ll share my favorite Google Sheets templates in some of the following sections.

Create an assignment or attendance tracker

Consider using Google Sheets to keep track of student work or attendance. By using an assignment or attendance tracker, you can easily view data on individual students, as well as whole class progress at a glance.

Check out the example I created below. You can also grab your own copy for free here.

In addition to the assignment and attendance tracker I created, Google Sheets has a couple of great pre-made templates under the education section titled “Attendance” and “Assignment tracker.” You can find them in the Template Gallery.

Create a gradebook

Even though Google Classroom offers grading features for teachers, there are a number of instances in which you might want to use Google Sheets as your gradebook.

If you aren’t a Google Classroom user, it can be helpful to track student data in Google Sheets, since you can access it anytime, anywhere.

Sheets also allows for a bit more flexibility than Google Classroom. For example, you can create graphs, like the one shown in the image below.

Plus, Sheets automates the grading process, so you don’t have to manually calculate student grades and averages.

You can check out this pre-made gradebook by visiting the Google Sheets Template Gallery.

Create a to-do list

Google Sheets is a great tool to use to keep track of your own work and tasks. Improve your digital organization by using a Google Sheets to-do list.

You can even access your to-do list on the go via the Google Sheets mobile app.

Check out this Google Sheets to-do list in the Template Gallery. Or, try making your own using the checkbox feature!

Create a calendar

In addition to daily to-do lists, you can also create a yearly or monthly calendar on Google Sheets. Add major events or important dates to each cell, and you’re all set!

I’ve customized the Google Sheets calendar template with retro colors and fonts. You can make a copy of my Google Sheets 2022 calendar here.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading today’s blog post about how to use Google Sheets as a teacher or educator. What other ways do you use Google Sheets in your classroom? Let me know in the comments down below, DM me on Instagram @edtechclass, or email me at myedtechclassroom@gmail.com.