Google Docs
Google Docs - a free alternative to Microsoft Office
Google Docs is a great online tool for creating documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. Besides creating material, it's also great for sharing pre-made files. For example - if you were to make a staff newsletter in Microsoft Word, you could upload the .doc file to your Google Docs account, share it with your staff, and even permit them to make changes to that document.
Sharing, creating, and even storing are simple with Google Docs. Upload as many files as you need to be sure are safe and backed up so that when you lose that precious thumbdrive or have your computer crash, those really important files are waiting for you online in your Google Account.
One addition feature of Google Docs is the easy interface available when using an iPhone!
For help with Google Docs, go to http://docs.google.com/support/?hl=en
Atomic Learning has an extensive collection of "How To" movies:
http://movies.atomiclearning.com/k12/google_docs/
CommonCraft has also published an "In Plain English" movie about Google Docs that you can see here:
http://www.commoncraft.com/video-googledocs
Want to help me with some ideas?
Click on this link: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=p
Mike H's Google Tip #3:
Ever sent an attachment, had it changed, then forgotten to save the changes and found yourself lost in the space time continuum? No need to worry about saving changes and updates made by others when you all use the same document in Google Docs. Whenever you need to collaborate with one or more people on one item, use Google Docs to keep the changes you make both simple and available to everyone.
