Google Docs is an online productivity suite containg tools for word processing, spreadsheets, slideshow presentations, drawings, and online forms. Users can create new documents or upload exisiting MS Office documents to edit and share in Google Docs. One of the main features of Google Docs is the collaborative editing mechanism which allows multiple people to edit the same documents in a virtual group atmosphere. You can also embed documents on websites. More details on each of the tools are listed below along with links to tutorials.
Key Features
- Documents - Word processing application that allows you to create and edit documents.
- Presentations - Create and edit slideshows or presentations with this tool.
- Spreadsheets -Manage data and perfrom simple calculations with Spreadsheets.
- Drawings - Draw mind-maps, diagrams, and other simple shapes in the Drawings tool.
- Forms - Create online questionaires and surveys with the Forms tool.
Uses for Google Docs
- Open up a discussion in the classroom by sharing course notes with the entire class and letting students comment on the notes.
- Give students live feedback on an assignment by having them share the document with you in a virtual conference.
- Create surveys using Forms to gauge student opinion about the course
The following video is a webinar conducted by Google with faculty discussing potential ways that instrcutors can use Google Docs in thier work. Note that the video is about an hour long.