Google+Docs

= The Google World = = Once upon a time when we used the word Google, it really only meant email which Google calls Gmail. Nowadays, it means a whole suite of tools that can help teachers and students collaborate with each other. The MOST important thing to know about Google is that everything within the Google world can be shared and worked on simultaneously - yes editing at the same time on the same page in real time. All editors are assigned a color code and the changes that each editor makes can be tracked by reviewing those colors in the history. =

= Why Google? = Collaboration and Communication are the hallmark of Google tools. What that means is no more emailing back and forth, no more outdated versions trying to speak to new versions of software, no more software to software miscommunication and no more flashdrives. All items stored within Google are in the cloud, which means that they are always available for use. They are not dependent on a particular computer or a particular software. What a relief for teachers and students everywhere.

All Google apps can be shared with any number of people, can be emailed to any number of people, and can be published to the web when they are assigned a URL address, so they can be added to any type of site as a link.

GOOGLE DOCS
Google Docs can be used for all writing assignments, whether group or individual. It has most of the same formatting features as Word and can be accessed on any computer, which means NO MORE "I left it at home" EXCUSES or my partner has it!
 * Writing **

Google docs has an comment feature that allows teachers and students to insert a comment on writing to give immediate feedback to students. Check out these examples Teacher Comments and Peer Edit
 * Editing **

Google docs is also excellent forum for group work. Students and teachers can use Google Docs to collaboratively author a document or to plan an event or a group project.
 * Collaborating **

** GOOGLE PRESENTATION **
Google presentation is very similar to Powerpoint, but its greatest strength is its collaboration. Google presentations can be created at the same time by many authors connected only by the Internet. I have used Google presentation in class by creating one presentation with many slides - a slide for each student. Then the students can work on their individual slides (or group slide) and when they are done, you will have a complete presentation which can be shared, uploaded or emailed. Google presentations are limited because you cannot input sound effects, music or transitions.

Here is a presentation that I did where each student had to write a six-word definition of an American and then find accompanying images. I made into a slide show, set it to music and then made the whole thing an imovie.

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**Google Forms**
Google forms has a variety of uses in the classroom. It can be used as a formative assessment to gauge students' understanding of a unit, or to measure the success of a project or assignment. They can also be used as a survey to create a benchmark of students' understanding before a unit is taught or to ask general questions. The forms can also be used as cumulative assessment. The answers are placed in a Google spreadsheet for ease of use and grading. Wiki Assessment Form and here's what the data looks like Form Data media type="custom" key="9901419"

Google Calendar
Google calendar can be used to allow students to keep track of assignments and due dates. I have not used it with students, but now that students all have ABschools accounts, then you can create a calendar and allow students to view it. As you update the calendar, the students will see your updates, without being able to change them.

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