Google Docs Evaluation

As an occasional user of the Google Docs, I have found very useful aspects of the software and some frustrating aspects. The most useful aspect, of course, is the ability to collaborate online without having to email a document from person to person and then back around again to each person after revisions are made. Google Docs enables groups of all kinds to have a central location and a single document. In addition, I recently found an especially useful tool within Google Docs. If more than one person is online at a particular time, they can then use the chat window to the right of the document to have a live discussion of the document, or whatever else they need to discuss. The ability to add written comment "bubbles" also further enhances the online collaboration process. I am currently working on a conference proposal that I hope to present with three colleagues across the US. The first thing I did was to create a Google Doc so that the four of us could start sharing and so that I could get input on various parts of the proposal. This has worked extremely well for the most part.

One of the greatest advantages to using Google Docs is the ease with which individuals can share documents. Users can either email the document itself, email a notification that revisions have been made or that a document has been created, export the document to a hard drive or network, or add their document to the Google Docs Template Gallery. In addition, users have the option of granting editing access to their documents, just viewing access or blocking access, depending on their project requirements and privacy considerations.

The negative aspects of using Google Docs are mostly centered around the individuals' comfort levels and frequency of use when accessing the collaborative document. Users must gain access to the software, sometimes requiring the creation of a new Google account, and the users must actually access the document. It can be very frustrating to create a collaboration document online and then not have the collaborators collaborate. The individuals in the group must take personal responsibility and make sure to access the document and participate in the collaboration. Of course, this is not truly a negative aspect of Google Docs, but a potential pitfall of any collaborative effort.

The biggest frustration of the software's functionality is in the internet aspect of it. There were many times when I would notice a delay in my typing as the software was presumably communicating with the server. This would often cause typos and other errors as I could not see what I was typing until 2 or 3 seconds after it was typed. There also seemed to be other oddities such as not being able to move the cursor to the exact location desired. I'm not sure why this happens, but it can be quite annoying.

If teachers decide to use Google docs in the classroom, they would need to make sure students set up Google accounts and, of course, make sure that use of the application and accounts adheres to the school's AUP (Acceptable Use Policy). Students and the teacher would need to be familiar with the Microsoft Office Word program since much of the toolbar setup is based on Word. If users are not familiar with typical word processing software or MS Word, all they would need to do is to refer to the Google docs help menu. Of course, the most critical ingredients for classroom usage of Google docs are computers and a high-speed internet connection. Many schools do not have computers in the classroom and must compete with other teachers and administrators for use of a single computer lab in the building. The difficulty of obtaining or reserving equipment and having reliable internet access would be huge factors to consider when designing a lesson around Google docs.

In the classroom, I can easily see this application being used to teach just about any subject. Most curricula and most subjects now include collaborative learning exercises and Google Docs provides a free, easy and quick way to enable project collaboration. I can even envision a debate team creating a document that shows pros and cons to an argument with collaborators adding comments, paragraphs, images, videos and using the live online chat in a spirited exchange about any topic of interest.

In order for the teacher to encourage and assist students, he/she should prod students as necessary if they are not contributing to the project as much as they should. In fact, the teacher could certainly make contributions and extent of collaboration a part of the student's grade (as many teachers already do). Teachers will also need to make sure that the students understand how the program works and that students have adequate internet access time at school since some students may not have access at home. Teachers can also encourage students to use the computers at the Public Library, assuming that is a possibility.

Overall, I would have to give Google Docs a "thumbs up" in online collaboration tools. I fear that the typing delays and internet glitches are a function of the increased popularity and usage of Google Docs, but I am hopeful that Google will overcome this productivity hindrance as they continue to advance and improve their technology.