Raise your hand if you have lots of PDF task cards sitting around and no way to use them due to the virtual learning shift! 🙋 Or, maybe you are just looking for more digital alternatives for your students. Either way, the process for converting PDF task cards to digital task cards is simple. In this post, I’ll show you how to make digital task cards in minutes.
Step 1: Copy Your PDF Task Cards
The first step is to make a copy of your PDF task cards. To do this, use the snipping tool on your PC to capture a picture of each individual task card. If you are uncertain how to do this, make sure to watch the short video I created about making digital task cards. This video is also embedded towards the bottom of this post.
After taking a picture of each individual task card, make sure to save the files in an easy to find place on your computer. I usually create a folder on my desktop and save each image as a JPEG or PNG. Then, I title each image with the same number that is on the task card (1, 2, 3, etc.)
Step 2: Open a New Google Form
Next, you will need to open a new Google Form. To do this, you must have a free Google account. You can open a new Google Form by clicking “Forms” in your Google Drive or by typing “Google Forms” in your Internet search bar.
After you open a new Google Form, be sure to add a title to the Form on the top, left side of the page. You can also change the color of the Form by clicking the palette (Customize Themes) icon, located on the top, right side of the page.
Step 3: Make the Google Form a Quiz
I am often asked how to make digital task cards that are self-grading. To make your digital task cards self-grading, you must turn the Google Form into a quiz. To do this:
- Click the cog (Settings) icon on the top, right side of the page.
- Then, click the “Quizzes” tab at the top of the pop-up window.
- Last, turn on the button next to “Make this a quiz.”
Making your Google Form a quiz will also allow you to assign points to each question.
Step 4: Upload Your First Task Card
There are several steps involved when uploading a task card. After you have followed these steps for a few task cards, the process will become much easier and faster.
Here are the steps you should take:
- In the “Question” box, type the task card number (1, 2, 3, etc.).
- Click the image icon next to the “Question” box. Select the task card image you want to use.
- Use the “Multiple Choice” drop-down menu to select the type of question. When creating task cards, I use multiple choice, checkboxes (when there is more than one answer), short answer (for written responses), and multiple choice grid (when there is more than one part to a question).
- Select the button next to “Required.” This will require students to answer the question before they can submit the Google Form.
- Click “Answer Key.” Assign a point value to the question (optional) and input the correct answer. Be sure to click “Done” when you are finished.
I know this is a lot of steps, so I have also created a video that walks you through each step. This video will show you exactly where to find each of the buttons and menus that you will need to select.
Step 5: Continue the Process
After you have uploaded your first task card, you will continue the process until all of your task cards have been uploaded. To add a new task card, click the plus sign.
Step 6: Assign the Digital Task Cards to Students
Assigning digital task cards through Google Classroom is always my preferred method for sharing digital task cards with students. When you assign a Google Form to students through Google Classroom, you can see each student’s responses.
If you are not using Google Classroom, there are still plenty of options for assigning your digital task cards to students. Click the “Send” button, located on the top, right side of the page to view the different ways for sharing your task cards with students.
Conclusion
If you’ve been wondering how to make digital task cards, look no further! The process I have described in this post is the best way for making digital task cards because it is easy and self-grading. Other ways to make digital task cards (such as using Google Slides) are not self-grading.
Taking the time to convert your PDF task cards to digital is definitely worth your time. Whether teaching remotely or in a classroom, digital task cards make a fun activity for students and can help you cut down on the time you spend grading.
If you are looking for task cards but are short on time, be sure to check out all of the task cards in my store! I have task cards for math, science, U.S. history, and Virginia Studies. All of my task card sets in BOTH a self-checking digital and a PDF version of the resource.