What is Google Docs?
Google Docs is a free, Web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service offered by Google. It allows you to create and share your work online and access your documents from anywhere.
My experience with worksheets.....storage.....and corrections.... always looked something like this!!
So now after exploring Google Docs I know it need not be anything like that at all....
I can see that there are so many benefits in using this great service...especially as an ESL teacher of primary school children whereby I do not have my own class, but rather a number of children from many different classes and across a number of stages. A few of the ideas that started to develop in my mind are...
- Cumulative stories
- Joint constructions
- Reading and editing peer work
- Reconstructing texts
- Narrative writing as a group
- Homework
...where they are all engaged, collaborating, talking and listening to each other...
but they need to be there!!
...to using Google Docs where they do not have to be at school because they are travelling....
...or are in need of being absent for longer lengths of time due to illness...
...and can still be part of that group at school... engaged,collaborating,reading and writing with their peers through Google Docs!
What a confidence boost for a student to return to school after a long absence knowing that they have been an active part of their class learning, no matter where in the world they may have been.
My mind is becoming totally absorbed by this Web 2.0 course...
...our young students have the world at their fingertips...
...they just need to be made aware of all that is available to them...
...and the responsibilities that go with it.
