GAIN- Documents, Google Docs (May 4th)

I am most familiar with Word when it comes to using word processing software. I have preferred it in the past because it is what I am most familiar with and it has been widely available in my career settings. Google Docs proved very useful during the planning of my wedding. My fiancé lived hours away and we were able to share a guest list spreadsheet that we could update in real time. I appreciate the simplicity of the format of Google Docs. It does not, however, have the “Mail Merge” feature that has proved extremely useful in completing administrative duties in the past. For example, mass mailing over 1500 people. This would be a pro for Microsoft Word. Sometimes it is difficult to navigate in Word once a newer version has been introduced. It can be difficult to find the function I am searching for. I know “how”, just not “where”. I enjoy the detail and array of options of Word, affecting my ability to change the layout and design of my document (i.e. creating columns). It is inconvenient that changes made to Word are not automatic and must be saved and shared manually.               Common Core Standards are noted in table 4.1 of our book. They include skills like “developing and strengthening writing” through the use of “planning, revising, editing, and rewriting” and the ability to use technology and complete these tasks over extended periods of time. The focus on such skills has the purpose to prepare students for college and career. These standards describe Google Docs’ capabilities “to a T”. Google Docs can be used for continually entering data that is constantly changing. The real-time share nature of the program incorporates editing and revising. It also provides students the opportunity to receive feedback on their writing, thoughts, and ideas, as well as a chance to offer their own assessment of their classmates’ work. All the while, a foundation of technology knowledge and use is required to operate Google Docs. As students use the program, all of these Common Core State Standard skills are being practiced and developed.              Sharing documents through Google Docs saves so much time and energy. In the past, incorporating a partner/teacher/administrator’s feedback into a document took quite a bit of work. You would have to email the original file. They would have to save their own copy, make changes, save again, and resend revised file. Upon receiving their comments, you would have to save the new file, review changes, make your own changes, and save again. This process would have to be repeated if the other person were to revise your document more than once; not to mention, problems that may occur if you are using different versions. Using Google Docs today, we were able to accomplish all of these steps in one emailed file that automatically saves new changes in real time seamlessly.