Module 3 - Google Docs

Google Docs is a free, web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation and form application suite. It allows users to create and edit documents online while collaborating online with other users.

I have used Google Docs in the past for both personal and professional reasons and have seen other ways to use it within the classroom while completing this module.

I have had a Google Docs account since Google Docs was established and have seen it grow and change. My first use of Google Docs was when I purchased my MacBook computer. Not having used iWork before and still needing to use Word, I turned to Google Docs. This made it so easy to use my Mac to do school work and then download this work as Word documents onto my PC. It also saves time doing my Certificate of RE assignments on Google Docs as I don't have to waste time saving on USBs to work on a different computer. I just open up my document where I left off.

I also use Google Spreadsheets for my Footy Tipping Comp. I have imported the 2011 draw into a spreadsheet and the participants each have their own sheet. Each week they log on and highlight the winners for the week. I then collate the scores and put these into the totals page.

As for using Google Docs at school, I have used it both with my colleagues and students. A few years ago the decision was made to make all teaching programs digital. As a staff we tried to use Google Docs as a way of creating and editing, as well as viewing these programs. At the time there were a few people on staff who encountered many difficulties with using technology to do programs, and therefor were hesitant to do their programs this way. I saw the ability to create the documents online and being able to access them at anytime and anyplace as advantages over saving them on our school server. Although the decision was made the next year to go back to using the server, I think since some major changes have been made to Google Docs, it could be explored as a place to store programs again.

Last year, I gave my Year 6 students a research assignment based on a given country, linked with the HSIE topic - Global Connections. As part of this assignment, they had to complete a written report and a PowerPoint presentation to present to the class. I decided to get the students to use a class-set up Google Docs account to complete these tasks. This way I knew the children had the required software and I was able to see their progress and when they were completing each section. I knew that not all the children had Internet access, so I took them across to the Local library, situated across the road from the school, and introduced them to the librarian, who in turn showed them how to use the library to research and how they could use the computers and wireless technology over there. I was extremely pleased with how this worked and how it prepared the students a little better for high school.

One feature of Google Docs I was not previously familiar with was the Forms application. The uses for this in schools are infinite. As I type this I am thinking of the ways to use it when I return from maternity leave in term 3. At the beginning of Term 2 I attended an inservice on Cybersafety, run by ACMA. One of the resources I gained from this day was a student technology audit. I have adapted it to suit the needs of my school and have emailed it to my proncipal for approval. It is hoped that all our students in Years 4-6 will complete the survey to give us an idea of how our children use technology. I am also looking into using forms to gain an insight into each of the classes at our school which I will be teaching S&T to during RFF.

Here is the form I created to assess the students' use of technology at my school: