Here are some pictures of the various tools Google Docs has to offer to help with group collaboration and product creation. All of these tools allow for interaction amongst group members at any time or any place and give all group members the option to add, edit, and communicate about the final product.
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| Google Document Useful for creating written documents such as papers, scripts, and sharing ideas |
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| Google Presentation Useful for presenting information on a given topic |
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| Google Spreadsheet Useful for sharing data or creating graphs |
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| Google Drawing Useful for brainstorming, expressing ideas, listening comprehension (drawing what you hear) etc. |
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| Google Form Useful for gathering information about a topic, evaluating comprehension, etc. |
Bob,
ReplyDeleteWhile I wholeheartedly agree that Google Docs is a great tool, I think you have to plan - at least the first time through, but many several times - on giving students very clear guidelines as to how to collaborate asynchronously. (They will pick up the use of the technology fairly easily.) I think you will find students present some of the same excuses for not getting the work done - Johnny didn't do his part, or whatever - so you have to anticipate these and head them off; give them a fairly clear understanding of what the entre process should look like, a model. Once they've done it a few times, I think the success rate will soar.
James
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI think it's a wise decision to spend time going over how to use Google Docs before you send students on their way to collaborate with each other. You may want to consider putting together an instructional presentation, like you did for our group project, that the students can refer back to while at home. That way, they can't make the excuse that they didn't know how to perform a specified task.
-Ashley
Bob,
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ashley's comment and think that it is a very good idea to show your students how they can use Google Docs as many of them are probably not aware. I'd also encourage them to get creative with it, I am sure that they will explore and be able to teach you something.
Jessica Haggerty
Ashley,
ReplyDeleteGreat idea about having a tool like our project for students to reference outside of the classroom.