documents.google.com
Google Documents is Google's answer to Microsoft Office and includes many similar features with a some huge benefits. First of all, it is completely free to use, it is available on any internet-connected computer and one can use Google Documents to collaborate with others in real time. Users can choose from word processing, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations and forms.
Google Documents is very easy to use, if one has any familiarity with Microsoft Word or any similar product, they know how to use Google Documents. The learning curve for students completely new to Google Documents would be no longer than a half hour at the most.
Because Google Documents allows for real-time collaborations, students can be split into groups or the teacher can lead a whole-class discussion and activity with word processing, spreadsheets or slide show presentations as long as each student/group has access to a computer. Since it is internet-based, groups can continue the assignment/discussion outside of the classroom.
I believe this is a worthwhile tool for learning. It includes students and gives them an active role in the discussion and assignments. It is free and easy to use and can be used anywhere in the world, even if a student is home sick from school they can take part in the discussion.
I use Google Documents all the time, I really love it. It's a great piece of software and it's made my life so much easier. A few years ago I could have never imagined myself wanting to use an Internet based application, now I find having a non Internet based application to be somewhat difficult as I'm always using different devices and always on the go. Keeping my documents together is much simpler with Google Documents, I just wish it was a little more robust feature wise like the de facto standard of Microsoft Office.
ReplyDeleteI also use this all the time. It's cool for the classroom because the kids can start assembling the work they do over the years, and it's fully searchable. I've written a gazillion papers and done tons of research over the course of my education and I have no idea where that stuff is. It's cool to think that when your kids are entering grad school they will be able to take a look at some of the first things they worked on for school.
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