Thing #17 – Google Docs

Thanks for the introduction to Google Docs! I am really impressed with what I’ve discovered so far. I used Google Docs to create a document outlining what I found/liked as I played around with it. I also created a Google presentation for the experience as well (just for fun).

I can see many situations in which Google Docs would benefit the user(s). A few that come to mind are:

1. Students working on a project or presentation. No longer will one person be assigned the (awful) task of editing and collating all the work and research into one document. Students who each have to create several slides for a presentation can share a Google presentation with each other and not worry about which copy is the most up-to-date.
2. Colleagues collaborating on a project, article, presentation (for the same reasons as above).
3. A simple, guided process for creating a form.
4. A couple, family, or business partners who need access to a spreadsheet to create a budget.

Libraries, and in particular, CML, could certainly make use of Google Docs.

• To streamline the process of attaching documents to email, editing and revising, and sending back.
• Employees and their managers could use it to complete the employee’s annual assessment.
• Mileage forms could be created and shared with a Google spreadsheet.
• Committees and task forces could use it as a brainstorming tool.
• Powerpoint Presentations can be viewed in an audience–staff can access the presentation, see who else is watching and IM with each other in order to address questions or discuss.