Google Docs are collaboration tools in which you can:
Create basic documents from scratch or start from a template.
You can easily do all the basics, including making bulleted lists, sorting by columns, adding tables, images, comments, formulas, changing fonts and more. And it's free.
Upload your existing files and store them in the cloud. (Google Docs accepts most popular file formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, PDF etc. So go ahead and upload your existing files.---you have LOTS of free storage space!) See information for specific size limitations.
Convert files to Google Docs format and collaboratively edit these files online.
Familiar desktop feel makes editing a breeze.
Just click the toolbar buttons to bold, underline, indent, change font or number format, change cell background color and so on.
If you use Word, Excel, or Powerpoint, using these tools will be inherent in what you already know.
The main difference in using these tools is that you can SHARE any/all documents with whomever you like and give them whatever rights you want to just view or edit and view.
Collaboration in Action:
Be sure you are logged into your Google account. If Calendar is not showing in the menus across the top, click on "more" and then navigate to Calendar . Practice creating and sharing a document:
Create a new document (word processing) with some autobiographical info, name it and save.
Create a new presentation with some autobiographical info, a picture and a link, name it and save.
Create a new drawing: Librarians, use the shape tools to diagram the perfect circulation desk. Use the text tool to label parts.
Computer Consultants, use the shape tools to diagram your dream computer lab. Use the text tool to label parts.
Choose a partner. One of you will SHARE your drawing document with the other person (use the drop down "actions" arrow next to the document name to do so.)
The person getting the share invitation in their email will accept the invite, go back to their documents screen and refresh, see the document and then go in and make some changes.
Use the chat feature to discuss your changes. For a GREAT summary of settings to SHARE documents for collaborations, see this Google Help page
Practice uploading documents from your local computer to your Google Documents area---**
Click the "upload" button and investigate the "settings" preferences
Upload a whole bunch of documents from your local computer
Organize your documents by creating "collections"---if you use iTunes this will be something you already know how to do!
With your partner, one of you will SHARE your collection (use the drop down "actions" arrow next to the "collection" name to do so.)
The person getting the share invitation in their email will accept the invite, go back to their documents screen and refresh, see the collection.
Be ready to share your thoughts about how this way of sharing documents in the cloud might be integrated into classroom practice (that is of course assuming Google Apps For Education would be in place)
Some Docs ideas from others: Jason Levy IS 339
Assessments
Feedback, reflections from staff training
Quizzes for classes: forms + conditional formatting
Collaboration drives action and follow through
Collaborative Writing
Staff-to-staff: Sharing lesson plans
Student-to-staff: Sharing writing and poetry
Student-to-student: Teamwork on essay
Planning
Action plan templates: who's responsible etc.
Lesson plan 2.0: using Docs, includes links, different contact lists for students
Tracking large projects, groups (mentoring groups)
Meetings and presentations
Notes through docs: agenda, action items
Presentations can be viewed anytime
Referrals
Tech support: forms + notifications
Students are easily referred, teachers know immediately
Google Docs are collaboration tools in which you can:
Just click the toolbar buttons to bold, underline, indent, change font or number format, change cell background color and so on.
Collaboration in Action:
Be sure you are logged into your Google account. If Calendar is not showing in the menus across the top, click on "more" and then navigate to Calendar .
Practice creating and sharing a document:
Computer Consultants, use the shape tools to diagram your dream computer lab. Use the text tool to label parts.
For a GREAT summary of settings to SHARE documents for collaborations, see this Google Help page
Practice uploading documents from your local computer to your Google Documents area---**
The person getting the share invitation in their email will accept the invite, go back to their documents screen and refresh, see the collection.
Some Docs ideas from others:
Jason Levy IS 339