Word processing without Word:

Using Google Docs online to edit, store, and share documents

If you have a free Google account, you can take advantage of a lot of very practical functions, including online word processing, which is especially useful for the very mobile person or collaborative writing projects, such as with students.

Google account

A Google account is free and gives you access to Gmail as well as many very useful web services, including:

Documents: word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, surveys
iGoogle: customized Google home page (RSS aggregator)
Photos: photo albums, slideshows, sharing (Picasa)
Calendar: share multiple calendars
Blog:  (blogger.com)
Web pages: build custom web pages, including wikis (Sites)

See all Google products explained
 

Web 2.0

What is it? Web 2.0 (also "Cloud Computing") defines a new generation of online applications hosted by someone else vs. a locally installed application.

• desktop functionality
• perpetual beta (continual iterations)
• users in development cycle
• database driven
• free
• e.g., web mail, Flickr, FaceBook, wikis, blogs, eBay, Amazon

(See details in my SED presentation on Web 2.0)

Compared to a locally installed application (e.g., MS Word)

Installed software (Word)	Web 2.0 service
monolithic single provider	one of many
massive installed base	no installed base
control over programming	user-driven development
proprietary	open standards
discrete versions requiring updating or upgrading	continual iterations
access on local PC	access anywhere
install, configure, update/fix, upgrade	host does all
use offline	use online (offline in beta)
content in your control	content in provider's hands
expensive	free

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Google Docs

Functionality: Word vs. Google Docs

MS Word	Google Docs
can use offline	need Internet connection
content private	content available to Google
full control over format and advanced formatting	limited RTF formatting
mostly cross platform	some browser-based differences
transfer discrete versions of document	easy to share, collaborate
backup discrete versions manually	access previous versions
need right version of software installed	need a free browser to use
you save manually or set up autosave	saves continuously
you back up manually	backed up by Google
purchase separate language kits	type, spell, or UI in many languages

Advantages for class use

• no forgotten files
• no lost documents due to lack of saving
• no file compatibility issues (e.g., those originating in MS Works)
• no lost writing due to inadvertent deleting
• easily shared with classmates or teacher
• no messing with Word configuration (toolbars, etc.)
• published docs are continually updated

 

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Activities

 

What you can do with a Google Document

use RTF  formatting

use a built-in template

use proofing tools (spelling, thesaurus

insert pictures, tables, links

organize documents in folders

import Word (.doc only), HTML, txt, rtf, xls, ppt

export as Word Doc, RTF, PDF, web page, etc.

share as document for others to edit

share as web page for others to view online

use Docs for Teachers

with Form, create an online survey with automatic graphing of results

use it as a poor man's clicker

 1. Create a new Document

• type some text, including a title and hyperlinked text
• insert a table with colored cells (example above)
• add a footnote or comment
• spell check it
• share it with someone via email

2. Create a survey

• write a few questions of different types
• launch it
• send the URL of the survey to someone
• (or post it to your CELOP Teacher Wiki)
• graph the results