Today I worked with Google Docs and Google Forms. First, I created a Student Information Card for our classes for next year. We can email it to our parents and have them fill the info out online. Hopefully, the information can be aggregated onto one page, instead of the 22 index cards I've been managing this year. As a team, we can edit the information that goes on the cards with teh questions we ask. I think this might just work!
Secondly, I uploaded our Back to School Night packet from Word. It didn't copy seamlessly. No borders or graphics transferred to Google, so I've had to change margins and indents throughout the document. I'm still working to add some interest to the page, but can't find where to do that through Google Docs. The other frustrating thing is that Google Docs works so slowly compared to Word. It takes several beats for commands to be applied. This is definitely a learning curve.
As the district transitions from Word to Google Docs, I know we will be doing much of our composition writing on Docs. I love the idea of Forms. I can see using it to create tests and quizzes in science and social studies that the kids will complete on the computer. We do some of that now through BrainPop and Odyssey, but Google will give me much more control over the content included in the test/quiz.
Wow...I love how you were able to take this all straight to helping you out in the classroom. How cool to use the forms for "testing" that would be great! Yes...it takes a while to learn google docs...but it's sometimes easier to start in google docs and not convert from WORD...its the conversion that you are experiences the loss of formating! You are doing GREAT! Keep up the good work!
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