Using Bitly to Share Class Links with Students

In this tutorial, teachers learn how to use Bitly to make long links shorter, easier to remember, and easier to share with students. Bitly is especially useful when students need quick access to online activities, Google Sheets worksheets, homework pages, or submission forms.

Why Use Bitly?

Teachers often need to share long URLs with students. These links can be difficult to type, remember, or display clearly in class. Bitly solves this problem by turning long links into short, memorable links.

• Share activities quickly in class
• Create easy links students can type into a browser
• Make QR codes for phone access
• Create simple class homework pages
• Track how often links are clicked

Example 1: Sharing an Online Activity

A teacher may want students to complete an online language activity, such as a conversation puzzle where students put words into the correct spaces. Instead of sending a long website address, the teacher can copy the activity URL and shorten it in Bitly.

Basic Steps

1. Copy the URL of the activity you want students to use.
2. Go to Bitly and choose Create New.
3. Select Shorten Link.
4. Paste the long URL into the destination URL box.
5. Create the link.
6. Edit the back half of the link to make it easier to remember.

A useful naming system is to include the date and activity name. For example:

0610DFE1

In this example, 0610 means June 10, DFE means “do for emphasis,” and 1 means it is the first activity.

Example 2: Creating a QR Code

After creating a Bitly link, teachers can also create a QR code. This is useful when students are using phones or tablets in class.

1. Open the Bitly link details.
2. Choose Create QR Code.
3. Use the basic QR code style.
4. Display the QR code on a monitor or projector.
5. Students scan the code with their phone camera.

This makes it very easy for students to access an activity without typing the URL.

Example 3: Sharing a Google Sheets Activity

Bitly is also useful for sharing Google Sheets worksheets. This is especially helpful when students are using laptops and cannot easily scan a QR code.

If you want each student to have their own copy of a Google Sheets activity, change the end of the Google Sheets URL from edit to copy. Then shorten that link with Bitly.

Example Naming System

0610DFE2

This link is similar to the first activity, but the number changes from 1 to 2. This keeps related activities organized.

When students open the link, they will see a Google page asking them if they want to make a copy. Once they click the button, they have their own worksheet.

Classroom Use: Digital Grammar Puzzles

In the tutorial, the sample activity is a grammar puzzle about using do for emphasis.

Example:

• Did you have a good time?
• Yes, I did have a good time.
• Do you speak Spanish?
• Yes, I do speak Spanish.

Students type the correct answer into a Google Sheets puzzle. If they answer correctly, the cell turns green. This gives students immediate feedback.

Example 4: Creating a Class Homework Page

Teachers can also use Bitly to create one easy-to-remember link for a class homework page. Instead of sending students a new link every day, the teacher can post all homework links on one Google Doc.

For example, a teacher might create a class page with a short Bitly link like:

bit.ly/IEB26G

This could mean:

• IEB = Intermediate English B
• 26 = the year
• G = the class section

If the teacher has another class, they can copy the homework page and create a second link, such as:

bit.ly/IEB26H

This gives each class its own simple homework page.

Example 5: Collecting Homework from Students

A homework page can also include a submission form. Students complete their work, copy the link to their document or worksheet, and submit it through a Google Form.

Student Submission Process

1. Open the class homework page.
2. Complete the assigned activity.
3. Copy the shareable link to their work.
4. Open the homework submission form.
5. Enter their name.
6. Paste the link to their homework.
7. Add a short comment if needed.
8. Submit the form.

The teacher can then open the Google Form responses in Google Sheets and see a list of all submitted homework.

Benefits for Teachers

• One simple system for sharing activities
• Easy access for students on phones or laptops
• Reusable homework pages for each class
• Simple homework collection through Google Forms
• Organized tracking in Google Sheets
• Useful analytics from Bitly click data

Recommended Teacher Workflow

1. Create the activity or worksheet.
2. Copy the shareable link.
3. Shorten the link in Bitly.
4. Use a clear naming system.
5. Create a QR code if students are using phones.
6. Add the link to a class homework page.
7. Use a Google Form if students need to submit work.
8. Check submissions in Google Sheets.

Final Takeaway

Bitly is a simple but powerful tool for teachers. In just a few minutes, teachers can create short links, QR codes, class homework pages, and homework submission systems. This makes it much easier to share digital materials with students and keep class activities organized.