Google Docs: Collaboration

History of Google Docs Writely was a web-based, collaborative word processor created by the software company Upstartle and launched in August (Chang, 2005) It was began by programmers Sam Schillace, Steve Newman, and Claudia Carpenter. On March 9, 2006, Google announced that is had acquired Upstartle. (Mazzon, 2006). On July 2009, Google launched Google Docs. (Glotzbach, 2009).

Google Docs serves as a collaborative tool for editing documents in real time. Documents can be shared, opened, and edited by multiple users. Sidebar chat function allows editors to discuss edits.

Google Docs can be a useful collaborative tool that allows sharing and editing in a more simple and flexible way as compared to traditional communication methods (Morales & Collins, 2007). When editing papers and writing a concluding paragraph, they were able to work on collaborative writing more efficiently, finishing more quickly using Google versus Microsoft Word, (Apple, et al., 2011). Students reported positive experiences with collaborative writing with Google Docs. (Zhou, Simpson & Domizi, 2012) Students valued Google Docs as an easy means of communication since it’s accessible and makes sharing and editing among peers easier (Zhou, Simpson & Domizi, 2012). When students used Google Docs, students showed enriched learning experiences compared to assignments without (Zhou, Simpson & Domizi, 2012). Students in the Google Docs group earned a higher mean score than the group working in a face-to-face classroom (Suwantarathip & Wichadee, 2014). Students reported they had positive attitudes towards collaborative writing in their groups using Google Docs (Suwantarathip & Wichadee, 2014). Students can gain knowledge by comparing two versions of a document hence, increasing understandings of how sentences should be corrected. (Suwantarathip & Wichadee, 2014).

Using Google Docs in Your Class Collaborative Lesson Planning-work on the same lesson plan at the same time with a colleague Lecture Notes- students can add to general notes and have access to everyone’s comments and additions, discuss misconceptions Improve the Writing Process- Work collaboratively from anywhere, give students ongoing feedback, publish student work Study Guides- Students can answer the questions about text or lecture on a document with comments Reading Response Journals- Instead of lugging home 30 journals every week to comment on their responses while they write them Translate letters- Translate letters home to parents using Google translate feature Research Projects- Students can research independently or in groups to gather needed information and recording information on one common form Collaborative Storytelling-The instructor begins a story and each learner contributes to the item.

Challenges Students must have a Google account Need for digital citizenship Just like classroom discussions, not all students may contribute equally Technology connectivity issues Need to teach students how to use Google Docs

References Apple, K. J., Reis-Bergan, M., Adams, A. H., & Saunders, G. (2011). Online tools to promote student collaboration. Getting connected: Best practices for technology enhanced teaching and learning in high education, Morales, C., & Collins, S. (2007). Integrating Google Suite for Higher Education. Suwantarathip, O., & Wichadee, S. (2014). The Effects of Collaborative Writing Activity Using Google Docs on Students' Writing Abilities. Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology- TOJET, 13(2), Zhou, W., Simpson, E., & Domizi, D. P. (2012). Google Docs in an Out- of-Class Collaborative Writing Activity. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 24(3),