"One of the major developments of Web 2.0 is the increase in availability of tools and services that are accessed directly through a Web browser rather than residing on the user desktop" (Godwin-Jones, 2008). Starting this week with Google Docs, and continuing over the next few weeks, I will be examining several new services available to teachers and schools that put to use this cloud based storage. First, a quick explanation of what Google Docs is and how it works.
Pros:
- Sharing is easy to set up even for a large number of people.
- Documents, spreadsheets, and drawings can be edited by multiple people at the same time with live updating.
- Data collection is a snap using Google Forms.
- School districts could save a large amount of money by forgoing Microsoft Office by going with Google Docs.
- Track an individual's contribution to a document which cuts down on one person doing all the work.
- Participants can chat with each other as they work.
- Accessible from any computer, and most mobile devices, that have an internet connection.
Cons:
- Can be very hard to set up if your school does not have email accounts for students.
- If you lose internet access, unless you save the documents locally ahead of time, you can't access them.
- Missing many advanced functions of Microsoft Office.
- Security can be an issue.
Let's hear what teachers and administrators say about it:
What do you think? Can Google Docs help you in your school?
YouTube (2008). Teachers and Principals Talk about Google Docs. Available from: http://youtu.be/TYPjJK6LZdM
Godwin-Jones, R. (2008). Emerging Technologies Web-Writing 2.0: Enabling, Documenting, and Assessing Writing Online. Language, Learning & Technology, 12(2), 7+. Retrieved September 18, 2011, from Questia database: http://www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=5036233711
YouTube (2007). Google Docs in Plain English. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA
I believe Google Docs is a valuable tool, for the many reasons you stated, but as a google docs user, the collaboration alibity is what sold me on google docs. I agree there are a few drawbacks, but I think they are easily overcome, and far out weighed by the benefits. With the research on 21st Century Learners, this one tool allows for, and fosters many of the skills required to be ready for the future workforce.
ReplyDeleteSpring ISD began testing Google Docs with one high school campus, the administrators, and the Virtual School staff last year and it has been implemented district-wide this year. I LOVE it!! Before, it was SO difficult to get my students (who are already online) to collaborate on work because they didn't use email (even though the district provided them all secure Gaggle accounts) and they didn't know how to work with the tools provided in our Moodle-based classroom. Google Docs provides them with a familiar environment (they've been using Microsoft products for years, after all) and yet gives them the ease of collaboration they've been needing. The district gave them all gmail accounts and when they sign in to our myspringisd portal, they have a dashboard that has access to all the Google apps as well as our own in-district apps.
ReplyDeleteI've already gotten tons of positive feedback from students. Even without the collaboration part, the fact that they can start an assignment at school and finish it at home (without the aid of a flash drive, which they will inevitably forget or lose) is huge! Plus, many of our students cannot afford the Microsoft Office suite and do not know how to (or can't) download Open Office. This gives them the tools they need, no download required!!
Ok, I'm having a slight love affair with Google this year. Seriously, though, I cannot say enough about how much this has changed our student's educational experience!!