Embedded Task 5 - Google Docs (Collaborative Authoring)

Google Docs

Whilst having heard of the term Google Docs, I have never been exposed to it or used them in my learning so far. However I can definitely see the benefit of this ICT in my classroom.

Google Docs is user friendly and I found it very familiar to use given its Microsoft Word like format, so even someone with no previous experience would be able to navigate their way around creating one. You can customise Google Docs similar to that of how you can a Microsoft Word document, such as changing font size and colour. You can also add images, insert tables, link to websites and use paint. Google Docs is a multi-author tool that allows you to invite other people to edit the document which can be done at the same time as someone else editing the document and uses name flags to show you who is editing what. Their is also a history function that allows you to view previous versions before they were edited and it also advises the author, time and day when the document was last edited. 

Google Docs will support my digital pedagogy and inspire student collaboration which is an important outcome that I want all my students to learn and achieve in my class. Google Docs could be used in a multitude of ways in a Manual Arts class/workshop. I would predominately have my students use Google Docs when working on group assessments. By doing this, students would be able to work on their assessment anywhere and at anytime. They would also be able to work on the assessment when other students are working on it also which would eliminate any delays with working on the assessment task (unlike the traditional method where the document might be emailed between students or exchanged from student to student via a USB). As a teacher, I could use Google Docs to help give prompt feedback to students where I could edit their work and ideas at anytime and therefore save time in class. One of the most beneficial uses of Google Docs is not only the interaction and collaboration between student and teacher or between students in class, but the ability to collaborate with someone anywhere in the world at anytime. This idea really encapsulates how this form of ICT is important in my digital pedagogy and how I will endeavor to have this in my classroom for all my students. 

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SAMR Model based on Google Docs

S - Teacher uses Google Docs and invites children to view document online as part of homework (rather than using handouts)
A - Teacher uses Google Docs and allows students to edit document and add their own ideas
M - Students create own Google Doc to share with teacher to allow for feedback and idea suggestions
R - Students use Google Docs to work collaboratively with other students at the same time

Image of Google Doc Created and view of other user editing document