A teacher’s perspective on Google docs
Posted by Mark Winegar on September 2, 2008
Google docs is exciting!
It has word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics. So does Microsoft Office. Yes, but you have to buy Microsoft Office not to mention all of the upgrades. Google docs is free! But that isn’t the only reason to consider using it. Watch.
Documents are securely saved on Google’s server and you can access them from any computer capable of connecting to the Internet. No more lost files. No more lame excuses. The dog cannot eat anyone’s homework. Imagine having your files available anytime and anywhere. But that’s not all.
Students can collaborate with each other. Collaborators can actually watch while a document is being updated. Rough drafts can be submitted and recommendations made in real time. This makes feedback immediate and motivate students through peer pressure.
I teach a general education course for college freshman that uses Microsoft Office to teach word processing, spreadsheeting, and presentation graphics and I’m considering using Google docs instead. It can give my students all of the functionality they need without confusing beginners with complex menu structures. However, what they learn will easily transfer to a Microsoft Office or open source office suite such as NeoOffice.
I recommend exploring this software and what it has to offer you and your students too.
