WESTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
CIIA > SHOWCASE INDEX > 2013
Center for Instructional
Innovation and Assessment

INNOVATIVE TEACHING SHOWCASE

2013
2014
HOME  |  THEME  |  INDEX
Paula Dagnon arrow
Rebekah Green arrow
Jerimiah Welch arrow

Online Tool 4: Google Docs

What is Google Docs?

Google Docs is a free, web-based office suite. The suite includes many of the same things found in Microsoft Office, including ways to create (and edit) documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Any projects through Google Docs can be shared with another person with a Google/Gmail account, with different levels of permission.

Key Features

  • Students can access any of their documents from “the cloud”, meaning they don’t need to worry about bringing their devices for face-to-face sessions or remember to save the newest copy to the memory stick.
  • Anyone can be allowed to edit a document, meaning that groups can work on collaborative projects at the same time.
  • Professors and TAs can give feedback on drafts and final papers in real time, allowing students to know who is making comments (or edits) and when.

Adapted from:

Gainer, B.L., & Morris, R. (2010, October). Using Google Docs as a teaching tool. The Teaching Professor, 24(8), 2.

 

For more information on how to use Google Docs, check out the following ideas:
Idea 2: Using Google Forms as an Exit Slip
Idea 4: Using Google Docs for Collaborative Study Guides
Idea 5: Using Google Drawing for Group Meetings

 

Back to Index