If you’re interested in a brief tutorial about using Google Docs, you’ve come to the right place!
I was first introduced to Google Docs in my undergraduate educational technology class waaaaay back in 2007 🙂 At that time, I was thoroughly unimpressed with Google Docs. It seemed so much easier to use Microsoft Word…because that’s what I was accustomed to using. I never really gave Google Docs a second chance until this school year. And now I love it!
A few comparisons…
- Google Docs automatically saves any document, and any changes to documents, in Google Drive…Microsoft Word does not.
- Google Docs can be easily shared with anyone with a Google account…not so much with Microsoft Word.
- Creators can collaborate with anyone with a Google account using Google Docs…and, you guessed it.
Here’s how I use Google Docs!
I actually have a personal Google account and a work Google account…which means two Google Drives for me!
When you open up Google Drive…
- Select “Create.”
- Choose “Document.”
- The Document option creates a view very similar to Microsoft Word
- In the top left corner of the screen, you will see Untitled Document. Click here to change the document name.
- You will see many of the same options as you see in Microsoft Word (File, Edit, View, Insert, Format, Tools, etc).
- Choose your text type and font (Choosing cool fonts is my favorite!)
- You can choose to bold, italicize, and underline your text, just like Microsoft Word.
To collaborate with other viewers…
- Select “Share” in the top right corner.
- To collaborate with others, choose the “public on the web” option.
- You can choose how you would like your collaborators to be able to access your document.
- Collaborators can be granted access to edit, view, or comment on your document
- Then, add individuals by email or contact group to collaborate on your document
- Share the link to the document, if you’d like!
- Choose to insert a comment on your document to interact with your collaborators!
- Collaborators can simultaneously add content to the document…Cool, right?!
Google Docs has really improved since it was first introduced. If you’ve been avoiding it, give it another try! Just think of how many uses Google Docs has in the classroom!
Here are some great articles about Google Docs! Enjoy!
Free Technology for Teachers: Google Tutorials
How To Use Real-Time Technology In 1:1 Classrooms-Edudemic
12 Effective Ways To Use Google Drive in Education-Edudemic
Check out and comment on my Google Doc for this post here!
Thanks for reading 🙂