Chapter+3 +Using+Google+Tools+in+the+classroom

Using Google Tools in the Classroom


 What are Google Tools?
Google tools are tools created by Google that are entirely web based. There is no need for someone to worry about carrying around a jump drive or some form of storage, because Google stores all the files (up to 2GB) right in your account. Creating an account is VERY simple and only takes 3-5 minutes. Once an account is created, the user has access to world of Google tools. The variety of Google tools are documents (like a Microsoft word document), spreadsheets (like excel), presentation (like PowerPoint), and forms (can create surveys and questionnaires). Now keep in mind, these are all online and web based, so anywhere the user has access to the internet, they can get to Google tools. The other wonderful thing about Google tools is the sharing capabilities. Once a user creates a document or any other file in Google tools, they can then share that document with anyone that has an email address for editing or viewing. Avoiding the process of emailing attachments back and forth with updated versions. Watch the video below.

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Why use Google Tools?
Google tools can be used for many different situations. The focus of Google tools is the easy web based access and the sharing or collaboration. As you saw in the video, instead of placing the same document in 4 different computers/places that all have different versions, why not attach emails to ONE single document? This allows the user and any other collaborators to work on the document, make proper and necessary changes, and it's all done on one document which stays in one spot. This takes away the need for updating versions. In the educational setting, students and teachers can electronically collaborate on documents, collaborate peer to peer for editing, submitting work to teachers, etc.

Creating New Documents.
Once the user is logged in, they have their choice between the 4 different types of tools. They can choose and create their new document under the "new" button in the upper left hand corner of their screen. Once the document is created, it will open up in a separate screen and your project can begin. Type, insert, link, tables, etc. are all options that can be placed into these documents. The rule of thumb that I often tell those listening to me about Google tools is that just about anything you can do in Word, Excel, or PowerPoint, you can do in Google tools. If a user has good handle on the use of these 3 major programs, then he or she will do fine using Google tools.

Collaborating and Sharing.
This is the bread and butter of Google tools. This is the part that allows the user to share what they've created with anyone that has an email address. Once the user has a document they want to share with another, in the upper right hand corner there is a "Share" button that opens into a drop down menu when clicked. The next move is for the user to click the "Share with other" option. The user will then see a screen open up that asks the user to enter the email addresses of those they want to share with. One nice option is to invite those other users as either collaborators (they can make changes to the document like the creator) or as a viewer (who can only look at the document). So as an educator that has shared a valuable document with a class of students, the teacher can invite them as viewers only rather than permitting them to edit and change the document as they please. Don't worry, any and all changes that anyone makes to the document can be recovered under "file - revision history." And you can even revert back to old versions if desired and see who made the mistakes!