Google+Docs

Google Docs
[|Google Docs] is an easy-to-use online word processor, spreadsheet and presentation editor that enables you and your students to create, store and share instantly and securely, and collaborate online in real time. You can create new documents from scratch or upload existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations. There's no software to download, and all your work is stored safely online and can be accessed from any computer.

Resources for Teachers

 * [|Overview for Educators (presentation)]
 * [|Google Docs: The Basics]
 * [|Google Docs: Tips and Tricks]
 * [|Google Docs in Plain English (video)]

How Students and Teachers can use Google Docs
Google Docs' sharing features enable you and your students to decide exactly who can access and edit documents. You'll find that Google Docs helps promote group work and peer editing skills, and that it helps to fulfill the stated goal of The National Council of Teachers of English, which espouses writing as a process and encourages multiple revisions and peer editing. Teachers are using Google Docs both to publish announcements about upcoming assignments and to monitor student progress via an interactive process which allows you to give guidance when it might be of maximum benefit – while your student is still working on an assignment. Through the revisions history, you can see clearly who contributed to what assignment and when; if a student says he or she worked on a given project over the last two weeks, it will be documented (no more "dog ate my homework" excuses) Students will find that Google Docs can help them stay organized and keep on top of their assignments. They never have to remember to save their work; it happens automatically. It's easy to collaborate online with fellow students, even when they aren't in the same place, and they can get feedback easily from teachers, parents, relatives and tutors, and enter updates anytime from anywhere. And kids can go back to the revisions history to see how their assignment has evolved, and who has helped. Always wanted to try Google Docs in your classroom but didn't know where to begin? We've put together a handy-dandy step-by-step guide to help you get started In October of 2007, Google held a "Global Warming Student Speakout". We invited teachers to join us in a project that gave students from all over a chance to collectively brainstorm strategies for fighting global warming and have their ideas published in a full-page ad in a major newspaper. If you're interested to see how we used Google for this, check out the [|Global Warming Student Speakout site]. Revision is a critical piece of the writing process—and of your classroom curriculum. Now, Google Docs has partnered with Weekly Reader's *[|Writing for Teens]* magazine to help you teach it in a meaningful and practical way. [|Download the PDF]. [|Take a tour of Google Docs »] Found or developed a lesson using Google Docs? Tell us about it!
 * //Some real-life example of Google Docs collaboration in action://**

Teachers speak out
"In the Acalanes Union High School District teachers across the curriculum are using Google Docs to expand collaborative learning. In World History classes several teachers revamped student presentations on Imperialism from in-class Power Points to collaborative online Google Docs presentations. This enabled students to test their ideas and showcase their work to a larger audience. Advanced Placement classes in English and European History moved peer edited outlines and essays to Google Docs enabling students to access learning 24/7. In psychology, one teacher re-focused student research papers to include a Google Docs component so student research results are shared.

Students appreciate the ability to collaborate online in their own time frame. Teachers as well as students appreciate the stronger accountability for individual effort on group projects. Google Docs enables teachers to observe the projects as they unfold, giving students feedback prior to the final outcome. Teachers are able to individually assess student participation and content using the revision tab on Google Docs to see how editing is proceeding and to encourage students as they work.

And the students aren't the only ones using Docs to collaborate. At one school, parent council meeting agendas and meeting outcomes are in Google Docs. Also department chair and staff meeting agendas have moved from paper to Docs encouraging staff leadership, collaboration, feedback and 24/7 access." Name: Cheryl Davis Grades: High School (9-12) Title: Technology Coordinator - Acalanes Union High School District School: Acalanes Union High School District Location: Lafayette, California, United States

"Many of my students use Google Docs when they are working in teams, both with essays and presentations. In some point of progress, the students invite me to join them and have a look at and give comments on their work. It helps me, as a teacher, to be able to participate in the process, not just see the final product. The students also appreciate that they can work without having to think about different software at home and at school." Name: Olof Andersson Grades: Year 7 to 9 Subjects: Mathematics and science School: Kvarnbergsskolan Location: Gustavsberg, Värmdö, Sweden Website or blog: [|http://blog.olofandersson.eu]

"In my attempt to avoid sitting through days and days of PowerPoint presentations in my high school computer classes (and boring the students in the process), I decided to upload each of my students Online Safety PowerPoint's to a Google account and the class joined the presentation. One student talked aloud while everyone listened and chatted about the presentation. The students asked questions in the chat, added their own information and followed along in the presentation.

For the first time I can EVER remember as a teacher - 100% of the students were engaged in the presentation and participated in the chat. The students were enthusiastic and offered insightful and appropriate comments. The students liked being able to add their input without interrupting the presentation. I will definitely use Google shared presentations again." Name: Colette Cassinelli Grades: 7-12 Subjects: Computer Applications, Graphic Design, Digital Video Production School: Valley Catholic School Location: Beaverton, Oregon Website or Blog: http://www.edtechvision.org [|Read more user stories »]