Lesson 6: Google Docs & Spreadsheets

Think
Before you began this course, what did you do (or still do) when you need to collaborate with other students on a project outside of class? In other words, what do you usually do if you want to show someone what you have done? What do you do if you need to work on it at the same time? How do you feel about doing collaborative work? Please write a brief description.
When I had to do group work with other students in other classes, we usually divided up what needs to be done into small sections and everyone took a responsibility in doing their part. Then, the work was sent to the group leader by e-mail, who would put all the parts together to form one project. In addition, I could show what I have done by sending the same mail to others in the group if I wanted. I feel that this was the most efficient way in doing group work, as everyone can work on the project at the same time, and everyone can have the same amount of responsibility in doing the work. I do not dislike collaborative work if this way of doing the project is taken, as it is more or less the same as working on my own, being able to work at my own pace.

Explore (e-Portfolio)
It is easy to learn a new way to create, share, publish, collaborate, and access you work anywhere. The video that follows explains more about Google Docs and Spreadsheets. Watch it a few times, stop and start it at critical points (the narration is fast!), take some notes. Try to identify two or three things about using GDS that could make studying easier for you. Please watch this video
I felt, that Google Docs was extremely useful, especially in making power point presentations with other people.
It has been always difficult to keep the format of slides, (such as font, and backgrounds) the same. Therefore the person, who had to put the whole work together needed to do so much work in making it have the same format as slides of different format was sent by everyone. However, by using Google Docs, everyone can have the shared idea on the format.
I liked the fact that the work does not need to be sent to other people whenever there were updates on the work. Usually, the number of new mails increase greatly, as everyone is sending the group members what have been done. By being able to share work on line, we can always see the latest form of the work at once, and also add on some information if there is the need, even if it was not the part I have not been working on.

Explain (e-Portfolio)
Write a post reflecting on GDS with reference to the four SCICU Key Questions.
1. What are the main skills needed to use GDS?
2. What are the affordances of GDS (what does it make possible, what does it impede)?
3. How can GDS be used to network professionally and connect you (& other students) to learning resources?
4. What skills and understandings have you learned about GDS that may promote your development as an effective learner in the digital age?
1. The main skills needed to use the GDS are the skills in being able to upload the files, and being able to edit the work. We need to have understanding and knowledge on how GDS works, in order to be able to use it.
2. GDS makes doing the collaborative work extremely easier by being able to share the files online, and it is kept safe, with password.
3. Storing, and sharing the files on the Google Docs would keep the members connected to learning resources.
Everyone has the access to it, by having the shared password.
4. Being able to share the work online enables people to work on the project at the same time, without having to spend time on talking about what needs to be done, and how it would be done. I think this would more or less eliminate frustrations that would be felt in doing collaborative work.