Thing # 20 Google Docs

Google Docs is a great tool to have. It was very easy to use. It is difficult for me to contemplate using something like this since I schedule and hold ARDs and the information I deal with is generally confidential and not to be shared. I like to have lots of information for parents who attend ARDs though, so I set up a document with some of the information I give out frequently. Of course I have only put in a few things. My revision history holds a lot of versions already as I continually thought of information to add. I can see teachers collaboratively using this document to add their wiki spaces and web pages, project assignment info, etc. Also, as homework help sites are found they could be added.

Personally, I can see sharing a spreadsheet with the family to keep up with household budget goals and items, especially as they head off to college and are not as accessible as they once were. A Google Docs presentation could be used by students or teachers who are doing a group presentation so that each could add, edit, and update. Teachers can share lesson plans, lessons, and even field trip planning could be done using a Google Docs document. There were also lots of useful templates that were available so that no one has to start from scratch. I think the student information form would be beneficial as we begin school. Student info could be shared among only those teachers who are on the student's team. It might save some time if each teacher doesn't have to collect separate info from each student. Teachers wouldn't have to transfer written data to a spreadsheet (students could do this during a computer lab activity at the beginning of the year). Just some beginning thoughts for using Google Docs.