Web 2.0 Tools for a Grade 5 ELA Class

Google Docs

Access it at docs.google.com

Google Docs is a collaborative writing tool. It is similar to Microsoft Word in that you create a document, type up the necessary content, and print it. The way in which you can manipulate the words (bold, underline, italicize, and highlight) are also similar to Microsoft Word. The difference is that the document is online, and can be accessed and edited on any computer, tablet, phone, or laptop by logging into your Google account. Google Docs will also automatically save any changes made to the document, and will keep a record of the changes. In addition, a document can be shared amongst other Google accounts so that they can edit the document.

This tool can be use in education in the same way Microsoft Word is used—to type up a paper—but to get the full use of Google Docs, we need to take advantage of all of its features. A teacher can create documents with questions on a book that the students have read, and share it with small groups of students (assuming the students have Google accounts). These groups can then answer the questions together with the group. The teacher will always be able to see who wrote what in case a student decides to type something inappropriate.

Google Docs can reduce barriers for students who work best with others. If a document is shared with other people, then those people can edit the document at the same time. Google Docs allows students to collaborate and work together on writing assignments, or on sets of question. In addition, Google Docs has basic spellcheck capabilities. If a student struggles at spelling, the document will highlight the mistakes.

If the school is signed up for Google Apps for Education, then there is no age restriction since it`s made for K-12 learning. If not, creating a Gmail account also does not have an age requirement.