Google Docs

Google Docs includes word processing, spreadsheets, forms, drawing and presentations. If you use Microsoft Word, you can use Google Docs because they look almost the same. In order to use one of the apps within Docs, click on the drop-down menu that says Create New.

Using Google Presentations group projects instead of PowerPoint is even more student-friendly. Kids learn very quickly how to use it, and projects run very smoothly. The students love that they can work on a group presentation from different locations. Pamela Vallee says "You don’t have to worry about who doesn’t have PowerPoint anymore. You are not tied to one computer (or one lab’s intranet) anymore. You can pull up the project at your house, at the library, on your iPhone, at your friend’s house. You can track changes and even revert to an older version."

I used Google Docs to create a spreadsheet. Amazing but true, I avoid using spreadsheets, but this is relatively easy. I created a "survey" for my new students. I will use this "survey" to get to know the students while introducing them to using Google Docs, spreadsheets. This is a scaffolding activity used to allow the students to cooperate and collaborate with one another. I will add a link to the class website so they can view and edit the spreadsheet. As students fill out the form for themselves, they will be able to see what other students are writing. Even though the spreadsheet will be open on 30 computers, each change will pop up on each of the computers almost immediately! Collaboration in action. Later in the year, we will use spreadsheets to collect data and to collaborate with classes in other locations. http://www.google.com/google-d-s/spreadsheets/

Instead of directly using a spreadsheet, I could have created a form by selecting File > New > Form. Then added all the questions. Then I could have embeded the form into my class website or just had students go to the online published form. Once they answered all the questions and submitted the data, this info would be automatically added to a spreadsheet.