PE5_Google_docs

Google docs presentation is an easy way to create, collaborate and share a presentation. You can upload a .ppt but not a .pptx, so before you upload a Power Point you need to make sure it is saved in the 2003 or earlier version.  If you want to be able to edit in Google docs you will need to transfer it to Google presentation format. When you import  a .ppt into Google presentations you will probably loose your transitions that you had in Power Point. For the presentation to be viewed by others you will need to publish it. Others can link to it by using the URL from the published version. The viewer of the presentation does not have to have a Google account. This will be good if my students share their presentation with others.

Google forms is a quick way to get data from a group of people. In working with my students I am going to use Google forms to get an idea of the various topics the students would like to use in their science fair project. The amazing thing about Google forms is that you get the results immediately in a spreadsheet to easily dis-aggregate. I will also create a survey for the students to fill out after the science fair project process is complete.

One of the most amazing qualities of Google docs is the ability to collaborate and share your documents with anyone in your group. My students are going to do this with students that are using similar topics on their science fair projects. They will collaborate with one another to help strengthen their research and to make their project better. The students will use the collaboration mode to edit and discuss ideas of how to improve the document.  It can be shared with individuals, groups, public, or it can be private.

During collaboration the students will be able to specify who looks at and edits. They will also be able to have online discussions during the collaboration and editing phase.

I think this is going to be a fun and useful application my students will utilize in order to strengthen their project. This training helped me better understand Google docs and will not only help my students but I learned some new things along the process. I hope you have enjoyed the tour through Google docs. See you next time.