Google Docs are a Free Online Educational Tool
Web-Based Productivity Software for Teacher or Student Collaboration
Mar 29, 2009
Google Docs are web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and form applications provided free by Google. These applications allow teachers and students to create and/or edit documents online, while collaborating with others. Google Docs provides all the necessary document creating and handling services typically provided in education desktop productivity software packages.
Besides the advantage of no requirement to purchase software, Google Docs allows more than one person to work on the same document at a time. Students no longer need to e-mail files to other group members and deal with the confusion that often occurs regarding software compatibility issues. This allows group collaboration in real-time, without the delay of waiting for others to update their portion of a document or presentation.
Teachers and students only need a web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Firefox, to access the software. Documents are safely stored in Google's servers, allowing teachers and students do not worry about losing data from a hard drive crash or virus. Of course it is always recommended to make backups on a personal computer or external drive.
Applications of Google Docs in Education
Here are few examples of how Google Docs can be used in education and any classroom:
- through group collaboration and creativity as students complete group projects together
- for facilitating collaborative presentation skills as students work together on a shared presentation for a class project or assignment
- for student collaboration in the creating a science newsletter, i.e., environmental issues. They can also create and e-mail newsletters for school clubs and organizations
- to conserve copier expenses by placing standard templates students use for selected assignments and projects, i.e., book reports and science fair projects
- to facilitate writing as a process by encouraging students to write in a document shared with you or group members
- to provide support for students completion and report in case studies and problem-based learning, i.e., math case studies
- by providing instant feedback, insight, and assistance as teachers assess individual student’s strengths
- for creating online reviews for students to view anytime to reduce the use of paper, i.e., semester exams and unit tests
- for tracking of grades, attendance, or any other data using the spreadsheet application
- to maintain, update, and collaborate lesson plans with other teachers, i.e., thematic units
- to collaborate on a document with fellow teachers to track the status and success of shared students, i.e., teaming or special education students
Professional Development with Google Docs
Teachers within a school and located in other schools can collaborate with each other on district projects, participation in professional development activities, and collaboration on development of presentations for conferences or workshops.
Drawings and Diagrams in Google Docs
Students can create drawings or diagrams and embed them in text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. For example, students create a:
- drawing of their observations in a science experiment.
- visual representation of a mathematical concept.
In an education environment, security and access to students is always a concern. Google has built in a security feature which allows teachers to limit access to student work. Teachers can allow students to publish their work on their Internet or only allow access to selected to people
Making Connections with Google Docs
Teachers and students can create documents, spreadsheets, surveys, and presentations for embedding in a class Wiki or Blog. Also Google Docs applications level the playing field for teachers and students, because no special programs or software are needed. Students and teachers do not need to worry about software compatibility issues, which is always a common problem. Since Google Docs is free, education technology budgets are relieved of the cost to update current software productivity packages or purchase new packages.
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