Google Docs: A New Way to Collaborate

ISTC 702 Educational Technology and LeadershipTowson University, Summer

2010

Why Google Docs?

Three Great Reasons... 

It's FreeIt's Cloud Computing

It's Collaborative

Cloud Computing and Collaboration in the Classroom

CLOUD COMPUTING means everything is stored on a webserver, including each revision of the document. You no longer have to worry about losing a Memory Stick or a computer crash. Access your files from any internet-enabled computer.

COLLABORATION means that you can invite multiple people to work on the same document AT THE SAME TIME! You'll see multiple cursors all working on their different parts.

Technical Requirements and Considerations

Google Docs is cross-platform and only needs a web browser to run. This means students can use an Apple, Windows or Linux computer and any free web browser like: 

Google ChromeInternet Explorer

FirefoxSafariOpera

You only need 3 things to begin

• Internet access.• Email account.• Google account attached to your

email.

Then choose who can share your document...

Ways to Share Documents(with examples)

o Private (all documents start out this way)homeworkbirthday guest list

o Invitation only class syllabus group project

o Public (on the web, for anyone)upcoming events

  • Your edits and additions are saved almost

instantly. No need to hit "save" multiple times, since this is done for you, automatically.

• While you can add up to 200 combined collaborators and viewers to a document or presentation, only 10 people can collaborate and view simultaneously.

• You can upload files to Google Docs in many formats and  it will be converted so the file can be edited and shared.

Editing and Adding Content: As Easy As Opening the Doc and Starting to Work!

Differentiation Uses

• Teachers can use Google Docs to create stories by writing levels.  Students collaborate and build on each others work.

• Teaching poetic structure like Haiku.  Students collaborate writing a poem, each responsible for one line.

• It can be used as a chat program which also acts as a log of the conversation.

Media Specialist Uses

• Use it to facilitate reading.  Media Specialists in different schools can build lists of top books students are currently reading.  After the list is completed it can be posted to the school or Media Center web site.

• Planning and coordinating district or county Tech Fests or author visits.

• Collaborating with other Media Specialists when updating county Media Center handbooks.

 

Possible Classroom Applications

• Partner or group writing projects.• Communicate with a classroom across the

country.• Planning area (no face to face meetings

required).• Students can save work without a flash drive. 

No more lost work on public computers that wipe memory each night.

• Students without printers can print documents easily in the classroom or Media Center.

 

More Classroom Applications                      ...compiled by teachers

• Promote group collaboration and creativity by having students record their group projects together in a single doc.

• Keep track of grades, attendance, or any other data you can think of using an easily accessible, always available spreadsheet.

• Facilitate writing as a process by encouraging students to write in a document shared with you. You can check up on their work at any time, provide insight and help using the comments feature, and understand better each student's strengths.  

 

Classroom Applications continued...

• Create quizzes and tests using spreadsheet forms and your students' timestamped answers will arrive neatly ordered in a spreadsheet.

• Encourage collaborative presentation skills by asking your students to work together on a shared power point presentation, then present it to the class.

• Collaborate on a document with fellow teachers to help track the status and success of students you share.

• Maintain, update and share lesson plans over time in a single document.

• Track and organize cumulative project data in a single spreadsheet, accessible to any collaborator, at any time.

 (from http://docs.google.com/View?docid=dcdn7mjg_72nh25vq )  

Who is Using Google Docs?

• Google Apps Eduction Edition (http://www.google.com/a/help/intl/en/edu/) is a protected environment available free to schools.  Otherwise, use of Google Docs requires a student to be 13 years  or older.

• The Oregon Department of Education has just adopted Google Apps, which includes Google Docs and Gmail

•  This will save the state and estimated $1.5 Million dollars a year!o  From: PC World, April 28, 2010

(http://tinyurl.com/29qcu5c)

 

Google Docs will satisfy most NETS-S dependingon how it is used.

NETS-S Standards and Google Docs

1. Creativity & Innovation: through free-form writing, being able to share ideas and bounce them off other students.2. Communication and Collaboration: Facilitates communication and makes collaboration far easier than email or even a message board system3. Research and Information Fluency: Facilitates research through note taking and collecting links from resources4.Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Decision Making:Helps students make decisions as a group when they can all share ideas6. Technology Operations and Concepts: Transferring word processing skills to a collaborative environment, students must select the correct document type for their projects.

Helpful Hints

Google Docs in Plain English - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA

Difficulties or Challenges

Not everything is perfect in the land of Google...• Internet and server failure means no access to

Google Docs• Invitations for collaboration can sometimes end up

in the Spam mail inbox• Computers are needed to be able to use the

program and it is often a challenge to reserve space

The DELTA GROUP

Jack ClevelandSean Maher

Debbie McCormackSarah Scholl

Presented by...