I am a part of a Professional Learning Network, a PLN.  The library world is changing and to keep on top of these changes, I am always learning.  This year Elk Grove Unified School District Librarians formed a PLN.  We get together once a month and learn something new about technology available for libraries. Sheldon High School librarian, Karin Ledford, taught a session on Google docs.  I had heard about Google docs before through my other PLN on edweb.net “Emerging Tech: Using Technology to Enhance Your Library.”  Michelle Luthala, New Canaan High School’s Librarian, uses it regularly with her students and staff.  But it was just a mention in a webinar until Karin Ledford demonstrated Google docs and explained how it is used on her campus.  After her demonstration, we played around with it a little, and I found docs easy to use.

I started hearing more about Google docs.  A basketball coach using docs to set up parent help for food and coverage for a tournament. EGEA used them to set up our protest schedule and for coverage at the Western Festival. I used them with other librarians for collaboration on a document for one of our committees.  And I have to say I loved how we could work on the same document and not have to physically meet.  One less meeting to attend, and yet the work was completed and all who wanted to include input were able to do so.

Google docs is a wonderful tool to use with your students.  It does require that all students acquire a free Gmail account.  Once they have that and access to a computer, students can collaborate on documents with each other.  You can provide feedback from any computer to their work.  You can see how often students work on assignments. It is a time and paper saver.

So if you think you’d like to try out  Google docs, check out Google Docs for Educators. There you’ll find tutorials and ideas of how to use them with your students.  Google docs can definitely make life easier when collaborating with colleagues in your department.  And if you need any assistance, I am here to help if I can.  If I can’t, I’ll  find out how.

Of the many things I’ve learned this year about technology available for educators, Google docs has the most potential. As a former Language Arts teacher, I highly recommend this application for teaching the writing process. As a writing coach, you can leave comments and suggestions right on the document for your students.

Check out this cool tool for school!  It should make your life easier.