Google Documents and Spreadsheets

One of many free online services provided by Google is Google Docs and Spreadsheets.  In essence, it's a way to write documents, using an interface that looks a lot like Microsoft Word, or spreadsheets, using an interface that will be familiar to Excel users, and store them on the web.  The software is entirely web-based; you don't need anything but a web browser installed on your computer.  To use the service, you have to have a free Google account, but otherwise it's open to anyone.  Best of all, you can share the documents and spreadsheets you create, so that other users of your choice may view and, if you want, edit those files. 

Here's an example document we created just to take notes and exchange ideas about this workshop.   How might your students use shared documents in your class?  Obviously, if they're collaborating on a paper, but do you have other ideas?

To get started, go to Google Docs and sign in.  If you don't have a Google account already, register for one -- it's quick.  Then try creating a document.  Next, click on the "Share" tab, and put someone's email address in the box.  See if you can persuade someone else in the workshop to share with you.   Then try collaborating on a document or spreadsheet.

Let's see if you can go to a document and answer some questions.  You can access it here or from the email you have in your SEMo mailbox.  This one is entitled CSTL Workshop. 

Now, let's see if we can group edit a word document.  You can access it here or from the email you have in your SEMo mailbox.  This one is entitled Punctuation Exercise.

Note that you can save a Google Doc in Word format, and a Google Spreadsheet in Excel format.  And you can upload either type of file to convert it into a Google format.  Thus it's easy to switch back and forth between online and on-desk applications.

Here's a spreadsheet that we made.  I was thinking that in a lab class where students work on projects in groups, a spreadsheet would be a natural way to gather and share data.   Unfortunately, the Google spreadsheets don't include graphing yet, but otherwise, they have most of the functions you find in Excel.   Again, what uses can you think of for Google Spreadsheets in your classes?