Using Google Docs in Education

Kent GerberTLTR Meeting

February 18, 2009

What is Google Docs?

 Suite of software like Microsoft Office, with some unique features Google Docs in Plain English 

Basic Functions

            Document = Word                         

Presentation = Power Point

            Spreadsheet = Excel

                Forms populate a spreadsheet

Must Have Three Things

Internet access

Email account

Google account (attached to the email address you chose)

Unique Features

Stored securely online (Invitation only)

Accessible anywhere with Internet connection

Tied to Google Account which is linked to a specific email address

Multiple people can edit at the same time.

Unique FeaturesSharing and Editing a Document    200 person limit per document        Access levels:        Viewers (can only see it)        Collaborators (edit and view document)          Simultaneous editing:        Limits:     Doc & Presentation- 10                        Spreadsheet- 50 

How Can This Help?

Collaborate from a distance and asynchronously

Accessible anywhere, not tied to one computer

Easy to share and control accesseditors, viewer, or publish online

Examples

http://mediatedcultures.net/ksudigg/?p=119Kansas State Professor created a Google Doc to facilitate a brainstorming session

367 edits made in one week.

"Students wrote the script, suggested survey questions to ask the entire class. The survey was administered the following week.”

Examples

Google Document used to create this guide:

Using Google Docs in the Classroom

  

Some Teaching Advantages

If Teacher is Owner or Collaborator:    Can give feedback in progress    Can observe work in progress    Can track student participation  Viewer only:    Can track student participation    Can not give feedback

Administrative Uses

Great for single documents meant for a specific group of people:

AgendasHandbooksLesson Plans (Shared Courses)

In-Class Uses

Group work

Chat within Spreadsheets and PresentationOne teacher observed higher level conversation in this formathttp://www.twentyfortech.com/?tag=google-docs-in-education

 Tests or polls for instant feedback

Challenges

Loss of Internet connection

Invitation emails are automatically generated and can go to junk mail

Good News

Can download documents onto your computer as backup

Notify recipients of invitations to check their junk mail directly from your email account

Questions?

Links Used to Create Presentation

http://www.diigo.com/list/kgerber/googledocspresentation