Google Documents

I explored using Google Documents. Within this web based application you can create documents, slideshow presentation, spreadsheets, calendars, and forms all online. These creations are similar to using word applications (with some limitations). The creations are stored online and can be accessed from any computer. You can also create folders in which to organize your creations in. The "drawing" application was not supported by my browser however.

There is also a template feature where you can use premade templates so you don't have to start from scratch.

You have to be aware and saving consantly so you don't loose your work if connection fails or you accidentally closae the browser window. It doesn't give you the "save reminder" as your microsoft applications do. With a slow internet connection I imagine creating or accessing one of these documents might be frustrating.

To use Google Documents you would have to have a basic understanding of using Microsoft Word or like programs as many of the toolbar icons and functions are similar. You would also need an understanding of the internet and how your browser opens windows to navigte between applications and find the ones you have created.

To share thesew documents there is a share button. You can invite people via email, share a link, publish as a webpage, or email as an attachment. You can set notifications to changes and also decide who has access.

Using Google Documents in the classroom...

You could use these applications rather than microsoft so that the studentsa can easily access their materials and work from home or other remote locations. In older grades there are resume templates and budgeting templates, etc that can be used to learn how to do them.

I like the calendar feature. I showed it to my husband and he, as the pool manager for a local country club, was able to create his employee work schedule on it and invite them to view it. This eliominated pencil and paper schedules that he had to copy and hand out. He was also able to post when a shift was open so a user could access the calendar and pick up more shifts easily. When I get back to school I am going to start doing my parent volunteer schedule in this same way. Invite parents to view the calendar and they can sign up for days and times to visit the classroom to help out.

To help students collaborate you can create a group project in which the students create and share materials through use of this application. Each group member would have their own account and they share what they are working on as it all culminates into a final project in the end.

As a teacher you would have to make sure everyone understood how to use the applications so things run smoothly. You also need a computer for everyone to use with internet access as this application uses a seperate account for everyone.