Common Craft: Google Docs in Plain English
What are online applications?
Online applications are the web’s version of software previously
required to be loaded on your computer (think Word or Excel). These
applications are housed on the web and can therefore be used from any
computer with Internet access and without the need to download or
upload any software (insert IT staff smile here!). And wait……it gets
even better. Many of these applications are free and can easily be
edited and shared by several users!
While there are many kinds of online applications, this week’s
two-part activity will focus on productivity software –word processing,
spreadsheets, etc. and online scheduling tools.
Class Resources
Part 1
Explore one of the following productivity software application suites.
Part 2
Explore one of the following online meeting schedulers.
Class Assignment
Part 1
Create an account and a document (word processing, spreadsheet, or
presentation) in one of the productivity suites mentioned above. Then discuss your experience.
Here are some things to think about during your experience: what are the cool features? What features that you regularly use in your existing productivity software are missing from the web-based application? How might you use this at your library? Could this be used in a collaborative manner?
Part 2
Pick on a couple of your fellow learning pals and schedule a meeting using one of the schedulers listed above. Then discuss your experience.
Here are some things to think about: Is this easier than using email to set a meeting? When might you use a meeting scheduler? What are the drawbacks and positive features to using this type of scheduler?
Extra Credit
Websites:
- 70 Coolest Free Applications in Existence
- Unofficial Web Applications List
- The Freelancer’s Toolset: 100 Web Apps for Everything You Will Possibly Need
- Forget Word: 13 Online Word Processors
Articles: access through your library’s LiLI connection
- Gordon, Rachel Singer, and Michael Stephens. "Promoting productivity (tech tips for every librarian)." Computers in Libraries 27.5 (May 2007): 30(2). Available via Academic OneFile from Gale.
- Abram, Stephen. "You can take it with you: online apps help road warriors; Google and newcomer Zoho offer suites of office and productivity software you can use anywhere you have a connection to the Web.(INFO TECH)." Information Outlook 11.11 (Nov 2007): 37(4) Available via Academic OneFile from Gale.
Hey Jeri,
Send me your email account and I will ask a couple Splat members to help us create a virtual meeting time using doodle.
Tamra [email protected]
Karen, I found a blog that says Zoho writer will support .docx files…. http://www.jkontherun.com/2008/09/cloud-converter.html. I am unable to verifying as I live in the land of very old Microsoft software.
Jeanne, Is your issue with regard to viewing .pdf documents? If so, you might try downloading a newer version of adobe reader at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
So how exactly do we go about getting a group together to set up a meeting?
I already had the Google account, so I just uploaded a couple of documents that I already had created on my computer. I realized that I could then work on them at the different computers I end up on during the day/week. That’s a plus already. I like the idea of people being able to create content here on our computers that will then be available for them at home, or the next time they go on any of our computers. (They are set to wipe clean any documents left on the desktop when the patron logs off)
I’ll try some of the other applications tomorrow.
The secondary school librarians in my district are currently working on a messy document together, and Google Docs has been ideal for this. Everyone can access the current draft, with ideas that are under debate listed below, and we all know we are on the same page — literally. Anyone can revise or make a suggestion at any time. No single person has ownership of the “master document.” —- I am also on a committee that consists of people in all different places and jobs. We used Doodle to schedule a meeting this week, and it made it so easy to see when people were available. The world is getting way too cool to keep up with! Thanks, SPLAT 101.
I used Google Docs to edit a document with a co-worker. It worked very well for the particular situation, and we had a productive conversation in the document as well–then deleted it before saving. I am also using the Google calendar for personal invites and functions. As for Doodle, I looked around in it but do not currently have a pressing need for this application. I may use it with my work study students to schedule meetings or gather input.
This week at our library we are practicing using our new Microsoft outlook program for our assignment. It is something that we can all apply to our jobs. It has been interesting and frustrating at the same time. We are still experimenting with it.
The current Google Docs is better than when it was first released a year or so ago; however, integration is still a real problem with the programs in my opinion.
This took more time than I expected! Obviously I’m learning some new and helpful options. It’s very interesting and I’m continuing to play around with Google Docs to see what else is applicable to our office.
Interesting, learned something new today.
I think I may have been thinking this was a more complicated and involved tool than it is. I’ve set up a poll to schedule a meeting for a committee that I am on; we’ll see how it goes.
Kewl example of using the tools!
Hey Susan,
Are you wanting the emails of few people to practice with, if so look to left and pick on a few of us SPLATers…………..or some assistance setting up the people once you are in Doodle? If you wanna give me call or email me some specifics, I will walk you through it.
Tamra 562-4047 or [email protected]
I did create an account with Google Doc and was able to do an document! Part 2 I couldn’t get it to work for me! Any one there would like to be my learing pal and let me know how to get to the part on how to schedule a meeting?
This is a great tool for my patrons that don’t have a computer of their own and need a place to store their documents and be able to send them on to their company. Thanks. jeri
I tried the regular document page because I had just finished a page of websites and info to hand out to teachers at faculty meeting. It was really easy to use but very plain when you look at what I created on Microsoft Word. I like the extras that Word gives you but can see many uses for and online document program like this.
My first reaction was what I would use all this for. My home computer does not use Word, so just working between the two is a challenge. AHA, if I put the worksheet, I want to take home in Google Docs, then it should work. This could be a plus.
Since I don’t have meetings to schedule, this application will be filed in my brain for future use, if I need it.
Will access the articles as I have time….Thanks for yours.
learned some things at our library
Our school has blocked email for students so today I helped a student use google docs to save a document that she can go home and work on. We encourage students to purchase flash drives, but Google docs is a very nice alternative.
I think google docs is a great tool. I’ve used it for several things and will probably be using Doodle some also.
I’m really glad web applications exist so people can manage their documents without paying a service or buying expensive software. I like the little Google video that emphasized the collaborative capacities of web-based applications – very cool. I don’t imagine that I’ll use them very much, however, not having the need, but I’m really pleased to know about them so I can recommend them to others (I can think of several people right now who could use something like Google Docs or Zoho, which is what I tested.) Also, with the obnoxious interface of Word 2007, I appreciate the clarity and simplicity of the apps I’ve explored so far. Thanks!
I created a poll for my Thanksgiving Dinner menu and sent it out to those coming. It was fun. I was surprised how fast my children responded to the poll.
I have a Google account, so I tried to make a presentation, trying out the different tools. I have never made a power point or other king of presentation on the computer. I tried to insert a picture (from my camera) and got a message that it was too big? Need alot more practice playing around, but understand the basics of it.
I found the documents to be very easy to work through… I have learned so much in the last 4 lessons… this is good!
Hi! I have made use of google docs for some time now, and just recently was able to collaborate with co-workers using Zoho. What I like best about google docs is that I can upload open office docs.
Am now working on setting up a meeting with a classmate using MeetingWizard!
Thanks!
Ezequiel Luna
[email protected]
I had already started playing with Google Docs. I am a “list” type of person. I need to have something in writting that I can access from anywhere. Using Google Docs has been the answer for me. When I am on the go and do have internet access, I can easily compare my list with my accomplishments.
I had not thought of christmas lists but great future idea.
Thanks to Shirley at ICFl, I am currently collaborating with other members of the School Library Task Force to prepare a report using Google Docs. It’s an awesome tool and I love having instant access to see each person’s revision.
This week I was asked to help update the School Library Impact Study contact list, I instantly recognized Google Docs spreadsheet as the perfect tool. I uploaded the excel document to Google Docs and invited each member of the Canyon Owyhee Library Group (COLG) to help update the contact list. The only drawback is that not everyone has a Google Docs account or wanted to take the time to sign-up.
As for Doodle, Anne A. from ICFL introduced it to me last year and I love it. Thanks again Anne!
Today was a better SPLAT day as I explored Google Documents. I see the advantage of using this instead of WORD when you want to work with someone else on the document. I also tried Doodle and found it very easy to use. (whoops except that I invited people to come to lunch at 1:00 AM. Oh well…..
This just saved me a lot of money – thanks.
I established my Google Doc account and made a document. All went well. I do plan to utilize Google Docs now for personal and professional use. Doodle was a very easy tool to use. How fortunate we are to have access to such wonderful tools to simplify our lives!!!