Module 3 - Google Docs

I was first introduced to Google Docs in 2013. I was a part of the implementation team for Google Apps at the school I was teaching at. It had an instant impact among staff. They were amazed at the collaborative capabilities it presents. As a staff we have used Google docs in many ways. At the school I am currently at, the leadership team work on a weekly staff memo at the same time.

Google Docs has also been implemented in the classroom. It is great for team work tasks. It is especially beneficial when a group is collecting information for a task. They begin by creating a doc and sharing it with all students in the group. Any information collected is added to the document. Another way I have used Google docs is for homework. I would create a document with the homework on it, add it to the homework website and then share it with the students in my class. To complete their homework they create a Google doc themselves and share it with me. This allowed me to give them real time feedback for their homework. This is yet another way to motivate students to do their work.

Although Google Docs is a great tool it also still relies on availability of technology for students. Ideally, a 1 to 1 technology ratio would make this technology even more usable in the classroom. Schools are forced to be flexible with how they use their resources.  Bring your own technology (BYOT) is a new idea that is slowly moving into schools.