- Creation of documents, spreadsheets and presentations online without installing these programs on one's computer.
- One document is being updated therefore dispensing with numerous email attachments.
- Sharing and collaboration is made easier with one document.
- Control over who accesses the documents.
- Keeping track of each alteration of the document is made easy
This facility is ideal for group projects where for example students can work on creating a magazine or a school newsletter and can edit the documents under the supervision of the teacher. Thus the students will enhance their wrting skills and participate in collaborative learning. This is one way that the promised laptops to Form One students can be used productively.
Today I revisited google docs in preparation for use in one of my lesson plans. For a while I experienced some level of difficulty but soon was able to navigate the different tabs. I actually created a document to use with a lesson and practiced to edit. I reflected on my exposure and use of computers and it spanned about thirty two years. Change was evident; applications and new technologies changed so often to the extent that I needed to be equipped with a new set of skills. It would seem that teachers need to be kept constantly abreast of the technological changes if they are to be effective in the classroom. For a moment just think of the many programmes that are available now.
ReplyDeletePeter,
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you because I do not understand how on earth to use this tool. Actually I have gone on other web sites to see other tools that I could use to teach students reading.
I will try it but we never have enough time to do so but only when I am finished with that overwhelming assignment.
I am surely going to get there. Thank God that we can still go on line to sites that can assist us with their use because those classes were just inadequate in terms of time.