Enriching Technology Blog Post
Idea: Classes should harness the efficiency and convenience that Google Docs provides.
Subject Area:
Every subject that can benefit from word processing software.
Details:
Google docs is a powerful online word processor.
Firstly, Google Docs is a convenient word processing software that works similarly to Microsoft Word. A benefit of Google Docs is that everything is saved online, and if the user's computer crashes, everything will be saved.
The second major benefit of Google Docs is that it has a feature that has the potential of making group work easier. As shown in demonstrations in class, Google Docs has the power of allowing multiple users edit one document. This can be useful for situations where group work is involved. For example, this feature can be implemented in Science class. If a lab report is required to be handed in for every group, the members of the group can all edit one document simultaneously.
The third major benefit of Google Docs is that it will enrich learning through corrections. For example, when a group is working on a document in class, the teacher can be reading the work done by students and critique it. Corrections can help guide a student to success. Along with the documents that students type up, they can attach links to the document which can lead to important websites that will help the learning process.
Technology needed:
Netbooks/Computers, Internet, Google Account
Pros:
- Students can work together on one document at the same time
- Google Docs requires only a Google Account, no fees are required
- Work is saved on a regular interval, this prevents data loss
- Work is all saved online, no external memory required
- Teachers can edit and provide input on students' work
- Links and clips may be attached to documents to enhance learning on the topics
Cons:
- Internet is required
- Students may be sidetracked by going on non educational websites
What Needs to Happen to Make the Idea Work – Who is Responsible?
1. All students who wish to use Google Docs must sign up for a Google Account.
2. One student starts a document, and s/he has the option to share the document with specified people.
3. Data saved on Google Docs can be downloaded and printed on any computer connected with the internet.
Subject Area:
Every subject that can benefit from word processing software.
Details:
Google docs is a powerful online word processor.
Firstly, Google Docs is a convenient word processing software that works similarly to Microsoft Word. A benefit of Google Docs is that everything is saved online, and if the user's computer crashes, everything will be saved.
The second major benefit of Google Docs is that it has a feature that has the potential of making group work easier. As shown in demonstrations in class, Google Docs has the power of allowing multiple users edit one document. This can be useful for situations where group work is involved. For example, this feature can be implemented in Science class. If a lab report is required to be handed in for every group, the members of the group can all edit one document simultaneously.
The third major benefit of Google Docs is that it will enrich learning through corrections. For example, when a group is working on a document in class, the teacher can be reading the work done by students and critique it. Corrections can help guide a student to success. Along with the documents that students type up, they can attach links to the document which can lead to important websites that will help the learning process.
Technology needed:
Netbooks/Computers, Internet, Google Account
Pros:
- Students can work together on one document at the same time
- Google Docs requires only a Google Account, no fees are required
- Work is saved on a regular interval, this prevents data loss
- Work is all saved online, no external memory required
- Teachers can edit and provide input on students' work
- Links and clips may be attached to documents to enhance learning on the topics
Cons:
- Internet is required
- Students may be sidetracked by going on non educational websites
What Needs to Happen to Make the Idea Work – Who is Responsible?
1. All students who wish to use Google Docs must sign up for a Google Account.
2. One student starts a document, and s/he has the option to share the document with specified people.
3. Data saved on Google Docs can be downloaded and printed on any computer connected with the internet.
Labels: blog post, computers, enriching technology, programs, software
posted by wuman02 at
9:42 AM
3 Comments:
So, after reading about your idea, I have come to the conclusion that it is a very good idea. It is realistic and can be implemented quickly. There are no complicated procedures with your idea. Everything is straightforward and can be easily taught to students. I'm actually fairly certain students don't even need to be taught in depth on how to use Google Docs since it's the same as any other word processing program.
Now, for enriching a student's learning, Google Docs can work for some classes, but maybe not for others. For example, what you said about the teacher offering basically live editing of documents can significantly help the student if he/she is in an English class, let's say. The teacher can, as you said, critique and edit the work. So, I say we should introduce Google Docs to English courses and maybe the Sciences too, because there, if a group of students is working on a lab, the teacher can also correct or aid the students with their work. Google Docs can also help the students make a better connection with the teacher, since the teacher would probably be focusing on one group or one student at a time, which allows for some one-on-one time.
Overall, I would like to see it implemented because I personally think Google Docs is a really powerful web tool that no one really knows the potential of.
Your idea is realistic, this can be incorporated in the class. It is very useful when your doing group work and you don't have to worry about unsaved, crashed computers; it saves automatically. We can teach the teachers and students how to use this web tool, it's not that hard so the teaching won't take that long and after teacher and students know how to use, they are good to go. I can see Google docs used in classrooms, however I think you should come up with more ideas because Google docs is kind of simple and the student don't really gain new skills other than just your the type of person who works better with technology. Just try to come up with one or two more ideas, other than that great post Alan.
This is a very viable and realistic plan. Google docs is a very accessible, easy-to-use and useful tool. Group work is made ten times easier, as is peer editing. Plus the fact that the comments are made in real time keeps students concentrating on the work.
This idea definitely enriches learning as the problem with assigning group work in class for a presentation or whatnot is the inability to adequately share what you've researched without the assistance of something like Windows Messenger.
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