Use Google Docs "Help Me Write" for Course Materials

What This Does

Google Docs has a built-in AI writing assistant called "Help Me Write" (powered by Gemini) that can draft course documents, refine existing text, or summarize long passages — all without leaving the document you're already working in.

Before You Start

• You have a Google account (personal or institutional Google Workspace)
• You're using Google Docs in a browser (Chrome preferred)
• Time needed: 5 minutes to set up, 2–3 minutes per use
• Cost: Free with a Google account / Workspace plans may include Gemini Advanced

Steps

1. Open a Google Doc and find the AI feature

Open any Google Doc. Look for a small pen/sparkle icon in the bottom-left corner of the document, or click the pencil icon with stars in the toolbar. In some Workspace accounts, you'll see a Gemini sidebar icon on the right edge.

What you should see: A small input box appears with placeholder text like "Help me write..." Troubleshooting: If you don't see the icon, check if your Google account is signed in and if "Workspace Labs" or "Gemini" features are enabled under your account settings.

2. Create a new document section with AI

Click the "Help me write" icon and type what you want in plain English. You don't need to write a formal prompt — just describe what you need as you'd say it to a colleague.

What to type: "Write a 200-word course description for an intro sociology course focusing on race, class, and gender in everyday life. Audience: first-year undergraduates."

What you should see: A draft appears in a highlighted panel below your cursor. You can Accept, Edit, or Regenerate.

3. Refine existing text

Select any existing text in your document. The "Help me write" icon will appear next to it. Click it and choose from options: Shorten, Elaborate, Rephrase, Formalize, or Adjust tone. Or type a specific instruction like "make this sound less bureaucratic."

What you should see: A revised version appears in a comparison view. You can keep the original, accept the new version, or combine them.

4. Use for course documents

Best uses for your course materials:

• Syllabus language: Select a policy paragraph → Rephrase → "make this sound more student-friendly"
• Assignment descriptions: Start typing the assignment, then "Help me write" → elaborate to fill in the details
• Grading comments: Type a rough comment, select it → "make this more specific and constructive"
• Email drafts: Draft an announcement, select → "shorten to 3 sentences"

5. Save and reuse

After accepting AI-generated text, it becomes regular document text you can edit normally. Create a "Course Materials Templates" folder in Google Drive with your AI-refined syllabi, assignment descriptions, and policy statements. At the start of each semester, open the template, update dates, and use "Help me write" to refresh any outdated sections.

Real Example

Scenario: You're updating your spring syllabus and need to add an attendance policy that's firm but compassionate.

What you type: "Help me write an attendance policy for a college course. Students get 3 absences without penalty; after that, each absence drops their participation grade by 5 points. Tone: direct but understanding of life circumstances."

What you get: A 3-sentence policy with the rule stated clearly, a brief rationale (participation depends on showing up), and a note about contacting the professor for emergencies. You accept it, add your specific office hours email, and it's done in 3 minutes.

Tips

• For any document you remake each semester (syllabus, assignment sheet, welcome email), use Docs AI to refresh it once — takes 5 minutes vs. 2 hours
• Use "Shorten" aggressively — most first drafts are 30% longer than they need to be
• If you share course materials with students via Google Docs, you can update them in real time; the AI assist means updates take seconds instead of reopening old files

Tool interfaces change — if a button has moved, look for similar AI/magic/smart options in the same menu area.