5/25 GAIN - Google Apps

1. Compare the word processing function to whatever word processor(s) you have used in the past. What are strengths and weaknesses of Google Docs as a word processor in that comparison? (Be sure you try collaborating with your lab partner on a shared document, so that you know how to do it and can see how it works.)
2. Comment on how the Common Core State Standards are tied into the use of Google Documents.
3. Finally, pair up with a classmate to try the collaborative editing portion of the document sharing feature(s) and report on that experience. (You also may want to explore the comments and Chat functions that are part of these features.)

When comparing word processors there are many to choose from and each have some unique functions. For these purposes here, I will compare Google Docs to Pages, as I am most familiar with it over Word. The best feature about Google Docs is the ability to share your document and have others see it. It is a great program if you want to share documents that multiple people can work on. I do not have a lot of experience with Goggle Docs, but have used it in the past for group projects requiring us to use multiple sources and to provide documentation. Google Docs stores information on Google cloud and can be accessed by others that have a google account and that the document has been shared with. Students and teachers can access a particular document, assignment, information, quiz, etc from anywhere there is access to a device and an internet connection. The user is not limited to one processing type as Google Docs recognizes several. Teachers can connect with students, watch them work, and provide immediate feedback. A user could also work on multiple copies using more than one device and the server will recognize it and save it as needed. Google Docs also saves info frequently and previous corrections can also be viewed. This would work well for a teacher who wants to see what changes a student has made and review their work for understanding and comprehension of different skills. The drawbacks of Google Docs is that the user needs constant internet connections and some functions will not work without it. Also, Google Docs does have some limited functions compared to other processing programs. However, there is no software to install, or fees to pay, in order to use this program. All that is required is a google email account. 

Compared to other word processing programs, like pages, Google Docs is limited in its features. Using pages, a person can work offline and create their document and post it or email it later. There is software to be installed, but the prices are generally inexpensive compared to others like Microsoft products. Documents created in pages can only be shared manually with others as opposed to creating them and posting them directly like Google Docs. I am not familiar with the idea of the cloud enough to know if pages and other Apple documents can be shared and used in the cloud similarly to Google Docs. If not already, I did read that the ability would be coming soon. 

It is my opinion that both products are good to use for word processing, however, the convenience of being able to post immediately and work with others makes Google Docs the better choice if that is what your need is. If you are working on a large project with a number of people, it would be the way to go. However, if you want the full ability to produce documents, etc. with multiple characteristics, one might prefer working in a single program, like Pages, and then sharing it as needed. 

Lastly, Google Docs works closely with many new or coming Common Core Standards. The latest standards in writing require students, even from a young age and grade, to have some knowledge of keyboarding and working within word processing programs. Students are required to know how to edit, share, and collaborate according to standards, and Google Docs is a program that supports many of those standards. As I said above, the teacher and students can be involved while working together on a document, project, etc. and both can fulfill standards required by Common Core.