Google+Drive

toc Google Drive is an online service for creating, managing, editing, and collaborating on documents stored virtually in the "cloud". The suite of tools can accommodate uploading existing files in a number of formats, as well as creating new documents directly within the app. (More about Google Drive, including sharing, chatting, etc...)

=About= Google Docs was first released in 2007 to Google Apps Users as a combination of two previously existing products: Google spreadsheets and Writely, an online word processor. It was later released from Beta testing in 2010 to the general public and eventually further improved by adding multiple new features like drawing and presentations. It was re-released as "Google Drive" in mid 2012. Google provides a self-use tutorial in which you can learn about Google Docs. Google Drive is continuously going through updates. Most recently, Google released Chromebooks, which operate completely through Google Drive.

=How to Use= General Use:
 * Open and sign into Google Drive
 * Click "Create" and select type of document you want (Document, Presentation, Spreadsheet, Form, Drawing)
 * Edit as you would like
 * Options to format text, insert photos, etc. can be found in the top bar similar to any other word processing program.
 * Google Docs will automatically save

Sharing Document:
 * To allow others to edit/ view you must change your "share settings"
 * Click the blue "Share" button in the top right hand corner
 * Under the "Who has access" Section there are multiple options
 * Public: anyone on the internet who comes across your document can view it, no sign in required
 * Anyone With Link: Anyone who you send the Link to may access your document, no sign in required
 * Private: Only those who you personally add to your document can view it
 * Once you select which option is best for you, then you need to pick what type of access they can have.
 * Can edit: full access to edit and change anything
 * Can Comment: can add comments to the side of the document
 * can view: cannot change or add anything to the document, but can view it

You can also Watch A Video Here explaining the basics of Google Docs, and showing the document types. - Google Docs

=Implementation Ideas= (General ideas...)

English

 * Create a writing artifact (story, essay, poem, etc) in a Google Doc
 * View and manage edits and revisions with "File->See revision history"
 * Proofread/give feedback (outside of text with "Insert->Comment" or as direct edits)
 * Brainstorming (in a doc, presentation, or drawing) individually or as a team

Mathematics

 * Demonstrating/practicing summation with the "=sum" formula in a spreadsheet
 * Have students create word problems in groups (one per slide) on google presentation, go over problems as a class.

Science

 * Record experimental (or other) data in a spreadsheet
 * Visually represent data using the "Insert->Chart" function in a spreadsheet
 * Collaboratively write up lab reports as part of a team in a document

Social Studies

 * Assign groups to work on a biography of historical figure. Give each group member one slide/topic to complete in the google presentation.

=Opinions & Feedback=
 * General**
 * With multiple students working in a single document, it may be useful to have students logged in on Google, or at least to record the Anonymous user number generated for each student; this will make it possible to hold students accountable for any changes they make to the document.
 * By allowing all students to edit there is a possibility of students claiming, or even accidentally deleting other's work.
 * English**
 * Having a student (or students) share with you the Google Doc(s) they are writing in can allow you to easily track their progress and monitor any ongoing revisions to the document. It is also simple to give feedback or suggestions without disrupting the document (using the comment feature)
 * Have students write rough drafts of their essays on Google Docs and share the essays with each other. They can then peer review the essays with the shared documents through the use of comments.
 * Mathematics **
 * Can be hard to find practical applications for word system in a math classroom
 * Science**
 * A spreadsheet with lab data is a great way for groups to have access to data at home to write up lab reports with out the additional classroom time required to exchange notes.
 * Social Studies**