Google Docs
Google Docs is a free, easy to use, online tool to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. You can create a document from scratch, upload an existing document, or browse the template gallery for a document that will meet your needs. Google Docs is very similar to Microsoft Office. The skills you have developed using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint generalize to Google Docs tools (documents, spreadsheets, and presentations).
Google Docs are a great tool to use when you are planning a project or managing an IMP. You can make other people collaborators on your Google Docs document, spreadsheet, or presentation by clicking on the share tab and sending them an invitation. Each collaborator can work on the files at the same time. Being able to create and edit simultaneously helps the project go faster and is especially useful if your students are in a computer lab at the same time.
When you collaborate with Google Docs, everyone working on the project always has the most current version of the file. If you use Google Docs for planning with students, they can access the files either from home or school. You can avoid any student excuses that "I forgot my files at home."
Google Docs offers a number of templates for project planning. You may find them helpful when you plan your own IMP with your students. In this course, we will use a customized Google Spreadsheet template.
How To Resources
- Getting to know Google Docs
- Google Docs Tour
- 14 Best Google Doc Tricks
- Google Docs for Teachers
- Video: Google Docs 1 Getting Started
- Video: Google Docs Tutorial for Teachers