Use of google doc for teaching and learning

Google docs is an online tool for creating text that can be easily shared with other people. (CLRT) 

Google docs is an online word processing application. It can play an important role in collaborative learning. (Wenyi et al., 2012) It is a free web based application in which documents and spreadsheets can be created, edited and stored online. Files can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. It is offered by and associated with Google (TechTarget).  

Google Docs tutorial 

In a classroom, various activities can be performed through Google docs: drafting, editing, collaborating and giving feedback. 

Use of google docs can make the teaching and learning process a lot easier. Below are some features of google docs: 

• It is for free  

• Documents can be accessed, edited, and viewed from anywhere even when there is no internet connection. But we need the internet to update it. 

• It has smart editing and styling tools    

• It allows to import, create, edit and update documents and spreadsheets 

• Insert formula, list,table and images

• Students and teachers together can collaborate on assignments and projects

• It allows teamwork 

• More than one person can work on same document at once

• It makes learning process easier as there is no need to download and upload files multiple times (Emerging EdTech)

• It saves time

• All documents and files can be saved for free 

• Choose on who has access and what kind of access (Study.com) 

• It provides templates for letter writing   

• It converts pdf file into word file, images into word file 

• Voice typing can be done instead of typing by hand.   

• It  reads the text aloud  

• It saves files automatically  

For teachers  

• Provides assignment, feedback on the project 
• Evaluate student's participation
• Inform students 
• Save online for future  
• quiz through google form

For students 

• Groups works, assignments can be done in a team. 
• Students from anywhere can work on same project and at same time. 
• Deleted content can be restored if needed (Emerging EdTech)
• Minimum use of stationeries. For eg: pen, pencils, files, folders, etc
• It allows translations (Study.com)

The limitation of Google Docs is the necessity of an internet connection. We can view and edit the file from anywhere but we need an internet connection to update it. Similarly, literacy on using google docs is also necessary. Students and teachers need to learn about it. Likewise, students and teachers need to have access to mobile, laptops, and desktop computers.   

 

Reference 

https://crlt.umich.edu/olws/2/docs

Zhou, Wenyi; Simpson, Elizabeth; Domizi, Denise Pinette (2012) International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, v24 n3 p359-375 2012

    https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1000688

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/Google-Docs

https://www.emergingedtech.com/2010/11/google-docs-why-teachers-and-students-should-be-using-them-for-course-work/

https://study.com/academy/lesson/how-to-use-google-docs-in-the-classroom.html