Google Docs

Google Documents is a free service that offers a word processor, a spreadsheet, and a presentation application. I focused on the word processor feature of the suite. I found that the application was speedy and easy to use. There is not a great deal of features, but it does offer the speed. I found that the documents open quickly and that up to 10 people can collaborate on a word processing file. The word processor allows you to insert comments and footnotes, images, hyperlinks all using an easy to use toolbar. Your work is saved automatically or you can choose to “Save Now.” Google Docs works very well when using multiple computers (work, home, and friends) to access your files and edit them. I did not have any problems doing the tasks that I needed to do. This is an excellent feature for collaboration. The only negative I could seem to find is that are not a great deal of “bells and whistles” that are on Microsoft Word. However, for the use of accessing files easily over the internet from any location that has internet service, I am more than satisfied with what Google Docs offers.

Google Docs offers the same basic features as Microsoft Office and OpenOffice. So, providing students have the knowledge to operate basic word processing programs, they will not have any trouble using Google Docs. Any word processing file can be used with this application. So, students using different applications can still submit and review files from Google Docs. This would work extremely well for collaborating on projects and the ability to work at home independently. The teacher would need to set clear expectations of what each student is responsible to accomplish as part of the collaboration.