Google Docs

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Lorna Hardin on February 9, 2010 at 9:18pm

Yes ... we have access in my district. I'm using Google Docs heavily for a PD class for teachers.

Permalink Reply by Oh the Places on February 9, 2010 at 11:47pm

Yes, we have access. We use calendars for computer reservations, forms for middle school attendance, and I'm hoping to include even more next year.

Permalink Reply by Tom Shreve on February 10, 2010 at 8:17pm

I have all my students get an account with Google at the beginning of school. Our district is thinking of moving from Microsoft Exchange to gmail. Tell your IT people to get on board!

Permalink Reply by David Warlick on February 11, 2010 at 7:36am

What is their reasoning for blocking Google Docs? Is it because they think that all districts block it? You'll find that they are wrong, though many do. But to make your case, it seems to me that you need to be able to present pedagogical reasons, how might Google Docs improve, enrich, make more relevant your students' learning experiences?

If they would not respond to that, then the wrong people are making that decision...

Permalink Reply by Eddie Carr on February 11, 2010 at 7:40am

The last effort on my part to have Google Docs unblocked was met with a denial saying that the chat feature of it is unacceptable to the district's IT dept. It seems that they do not understand that if the site is setup for a school that the chat feature can be turned off. I'll be attending the CUE conference in March. Maybe I'll get some good pedagogical ideas at that conference.

Permalink Reply by Lorna Hardin on February 11, 2010 at 10:00am

What seems to be a constant in so many districts is that the IT department makes instructional decisions. Why is that? And why are social networking sites - including chat features, etc. - viewed as a "problem" at best and contrary to established policy at worst? How did the use of technology in schools get placed outside of the usual curriculum review with input from teachers - and in this case, teachers who use technology effectively? This situation seems to be getting worse as web-based options for creating and collaboration become more available but our IT departments and administration tighten control even more to block access. It seems to show that despite having technology, including Internet access, in schools for nearly 20 years now, our policies, systems, and integration has not progressed in practice past those early years of implementation. Unfortunately, this is a bigger issue than Google Docs access and inhibits all of our efforts to use these resources. Something needs to change!

Permalink Reply by Keith Schoch on February 11, 2010 at 1:23pm

My district allows Google docs, and it's amazing what we can do with these diverse tools! My sixth graders created surveys on the topic of survival (answer formats including multiple choice, scales, check boxes, open ended answer, etc.) and then shared them with peesr to answer. The resulting spreadsheets were pretty amazing! Plus Google docs readily accept the projects made on a ton of sites where kids create content (Glogster, Bubblr, Bookr, Sumo Paint).

The survey/form function alone allows a ton of possibilities for teachers as well as students!

Permalink Reply by Kurt Schollin on March 2, 2010 at 12:05pm

Have them go to/show them these sites with examples:
http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=134592

http://sites.google.com/site/cliotech/google-docs

http://www.google.com/educators/p_docs.html