GAIN, 5-6-15

Google Docs is a neat, new program that is going to revolutionize the way documents are done in school, work, and so forth. If you have a Google account, then you can create your own Google Doc by clicking on the big square that contains nine small squares and scrolling down to Docs. The way it works is that you create a new document and type whatever you want, and that is saved to the Cloud, a wireless storage software created by Google also known as "Google Drive." From there, other people can join/be added to your document and they can edit it as well. The best part is that all this is done in real time so there's no more waiting for editing. It all happens live! This is a revolution in collaboration and makes sharing and working on files easy to do and accessible anywhere in the world where you can connect to the Internet. It has all the features of Microsoft Word like WordArt and inserting pictures and hyperlinks, but unlike Microsoft Word, it's free. Students can do work own their own or in a pair, team, or group and turn it in via Google Docs which saves them from having to print their own documents out and it helps the teachers because lost homework can never be an excuse.

There are some downsides to Google Docs. One is that you have to have a Google account, which some people may be uncomfortable making. They may prefer just to use the Microsoft Word that they've used for years and that's already installed on their computer. Also, it only works if you have an Internet connection, so that may limit usage. 

A Common Core standard when it comes to writing is "Use technology,  including the Internet, to produce and publish writing and to interact and collaborate with others. That basically sums up Google Docs in a single statement. Google Docs uses the Internet and allows collaboration and interaction between people while producing and eventually publishing their writing. It doesn't get any closer to the definition than that. 

Another Common Core standard is "Develop and strengthening writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach" With Google Docs, you can do several of those simultaneously. A teacher can watch a student work and offer suggestions and corrections as the student type rather than grading a handed-in paper. Also, students don't have to wait for grading a rough draft for corrections.

In conclusion, Google Docs is definitely a great thing for teachers to utilize. It's hard to beat the features it has along with its ease of use. I can definitely see this being the way that papers are written, edited, and graded in the near future.