Improving+Writing+with+Google+Docs

** Improving Writing Through the Use of Google Docs **
Presenter: Cindy Pronko Time: session I and session II Room: K01

Before coming to the workshop, please open a "Google" or "Gmail" account. This will give you access to Google docs and you can log on as soon as we start the session. See you then! If you have questions already, feel free to click on the discussion tab above and type them in.

About Google docs:
 * Google docs is basically Word, Power Point and Excel online.
 * You can share any document you create with any number of people.
 * You must allow "shared" partners to have editing capabilities if you want their feedback.
 * The documents save themselves and updates are visible automatically (no repeat emails necessary).
 * Teachers can monitor students at any phase during the process.
 * Teachers' ability to support students during the writing process will greatly increase.

Top 10 teaching ideas when using Google docs:
1. Feedback from teacher, students, theme reader, other 2. Student-driven questions (in purple) 3. Ability groupings (facilitates meeting with small groups) 4. Content/focus correction area groupings (facilitates anchor activities) 5. Student self monitoring through color-coding of tasks (thesis, transitions, examples) 6. Teacher/student insight into revisions 7. Time to scaffold as problem areas reveal themselves 8. Supplemental online materials 9. Collaborative projects 10. Organizational skills

Most used technical features on Google docs: a. All word features b. INSERT – characters, page breaks, footnotes, lines, link, Comments c. FORMAT - double spacing, strike through d. TOOLS – spelling, word count/readability, translate, dictionary e. VIEW - layout f. EDIT – cut, copy (different on macs), paste g. FILE – print, revision history [save (no location),] h. TOOLBAR – font, color, undo, save and close, share i. SHARE – without invite

Resources: Foreign language teachers - these symbols give you diacritics on Google Docs:

Favorite grammar websites: [|Grammar exercises] [|Grammar girl]

Favorite writing websites: [|OWL writing lab] [|Patti's blog]

Game templates: [|Game template] Lesson plans: [|Thinkfinity] [|Lesson writer]