Google Docs for Writers

Cherie DarganCWW 2013

Overview

We will discuss four reasons to consider using Google Docs

We will look at the types of documents you can create (or upload) with Google Docs

We will examine the difference between Google Drive and Google Docs

We will look at some sample documents and templates

Google Docs/Drive

What do you need to get Google Docs?

All you need is to have a Gmail account, which is free!

Getting a Gmail account opens the door to using a whole list of free apps and tools.

What can you do with Google?

Infographic http://edudemic.com/2012/08/30-simple-ways-you-should-be-using-google/

This infographic comes from Edudemic, an educational technology website,

and illustrates some of the ways to use Google’s tools.

Notice the comment about Google Docs: create and share documents and presentations.

If you aren't familiar with the term infographic, it is fairly new. I started seeing it about 18 months ago. It refers to a new kind of information packed graphic, and there are special apps used to create them. They are generally informative, but sometimes persuasive as well.

Why use Google Docs? Four Reasons

1. Don't waste time worrying about whether or not you have your flash drive—instead, move to cloud computing with Google Docs and Google Drive.

2. Access your work anywhere there is an internet connection--on your iPad at Panera, on your PC at home, or on your computer at work.

Why use Google Docs? Four Reasons

3. Collaborate with other writers: get and give feedback on documents using the comment feature, and annotate the document, if desired.

4. My favorite reason is that it is the easiest way to move documents between devices (from my iPad to my PC, or in reverse!)

Who is using Google Docs?

Google has several programs geared for different groups; however, they all include Gmail, calendar, Google Docs and other apps. Google Docs users include:

• 15 million teachers and students in 140 communities worldwide (Google Apps for Education)

• 5 million businesses (Google Apps for Business)

• Agencies in 44 states and DC (Google Apps for Government)

• Many individual users

What does Google Docs include?

Google Docs includes web-based software that is compatible with Microsoft Office programs: Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Google Docs has Documents, Spreadsheet, and Presentation.

You can start working in Word or Excel or Powerpoint and then upload the file to Google Docs, and finish working on it in Google Docs, storing files in Google Drive.

What does Google Docs include?, cont.

You can also start working in Google Docs by creating a new document (or spreadsheet or presentation) and then download it and work on it in Word (or Excel or Powerpoint). They are compatible.

However, you get a bonus. Google Docs also includes Form (use to create a form, survey or quiz) and Drawing (use to create a drawing).

You are also able to create folders, to help organize your work.

What is Google Drive?

Google Drive refers to the ability to store your documents online.

There are also mobile apps for your iPad and PC.

My Google Drive (CWW folder)

The difference between the two?

You will see a list of your documents in Google Drive: you can either use the new preview feature to look at the document, or open it up with Google Docs.

You have to use Google Docs to edit your documents.

Other features of Google Docs

In addition, there are numerous templates.

Search by the type of document (spreadsheet, presentation or document), or the name of the template (resume, business letter, invitation, etc.)

You get a chance to preview it before you decide if you want to use it.

Sample Presentation template

Form tool (great for surveys)

I have used Google Doc's form for several surveys—most recently a survey about e-books and e-readers, done with my students at Hawkeye Community College this spring.

You create the form, send the URL for the survey (or post it) and then as people complete it, the data gets dumped into a spreadsheet. When finished, you can see the results with pie charts, statistics and comments.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1eTL6KiGW1khPrKRtDAdVJlwfti0R04enVnTU5Jnvv8c/edit

My e-book survey, done this Spring

Survey results

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Atb9KVFB1BFhdHBnNEtqZzlSS2h6aHdRZmwxWnk3S3c#gid=0

Survey results of the e-book survey (individual survey responses get sent to this spreadsheet)

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-zbck4FLt1q8uBDCJ_d2es5KN6rCOHdHgez7ogbKbrQ/edit#heading=h.gjdgxs

More organized results, with pie charts

Moving from one device to another

I served as the Secretary of my Teachers' Association for the past five years: I used a netbook (a small laptop) to take notes for meetings for the first year and then switched to my first iPad, then to the second iPad, and finally got a Belkin keyboard/cover for my iPad3.

I discovered Google Docs was the best way to move documents from my iPad to my PC. I would get the agenda from my email, copy and paste it into a new Google Docs document, save it, open it at the meeting and add notes. Back at my PC, I opened Google Docs there and did some editing and proofreading. Then I downloaded the minutes and sent them out to the rest of the Board.

To create a document,

Click on the Create button

Select the type of document (document, spreadsheet, presentation, etc.)

To edit and name a document,

Notice the area in the upper left hand corner: if you haven't named the file, it will say unnamed. Click on it and a dialogue box pops up, with a place to enter a filename.

Look at the tool bar: it will resemble those in Word.Insert images, links, or tables using the insert tool.You can change the font, size, alignment, and other

features. There's an undo tool. You can download your document in several

formats; you can also email it from File. Or, click on the blue Share button and send it to someone for feedback.

Options for downloading files

To share a document,

Commenting on student work

Responding to feedback

When you send a document back with feedback, notice that each comment box includes a reply or resolve option.

So the person can respond or agree with the suggestion and make changes as needed.

Sorting documents in Drive

Type in the name of a person who sent you documents, and you will see the list of items in chronological order.

Notice too that you have documents that you created (my drive) and others that are shared with you.

New tools: research (under Tools)

Research results--in the document!

What else can you do with the Tools?

Get definitionsGet a word count of a documentTranslate the document into another

language

Need help?

Click on the Help tool and a little dialogue box pops up, with a list of suggested topics that you can search.

There is also a list of keyboard shortcuts.

Have a question?

Feel free to contact me, or chat during a break at the workshop.

Cherie Dargancheriedargan@gmail.com