Microsoft Word/Google Docs in Classrooms

Today we learned about collaborative writing. Here's an example:

This morning I got up early to practice on the ice rink with my team. We started off with warm-ups and our coach said that we’d be here for a good while. I wonder if we’ll be going over those couple lifts that are in our routines. My partner once dropped me and I hope that doesn’t happen again. I am still recovering from that fall, well mentally any way. If he drops me again, I will never forgive him. I’ve waited my whole life for this moment. I just wish I had found a new partner in time to train and compete in the Olympics. Oh well, I guess I can try to do great on my own without my partner. I get out on the ice and realize that all I can do is skate in circles because I’m used to getting carried around the ice, not skating. Luckily my partner makes the dramatic entrance as usual and is just in time. (SO TYPICAL!!! ALWAYS STEALING THE SPOTLIGHT!)

Through Microsoft Word and Google Docs, I can help my students write/type through the computer. With Microsoft Word, students can learn to type and create multimedia writings. Which is pretty cool. With Google Docs, they can all share and take part in each other's writing. I thought it was pretty cool. I wouldn't have to worry about wasting paper since it's all digital too. I like Microsoft Word, but for collaborative writing, I would use Google Docs. It seems a whole lot easier, but... in order for it to work, all of my students would have to have a gmail account and password. I don't know if I really want to mess with that; it might be more tedious than it's worth.

I'm not so sure that it would be a good idea to use with young children too. They aren't too knowledgeable with technology and multimedia software. For example: 2nd graders are just learning how to type. It's entirely new for them. If I were to do collaborative writing with my students at such a young age, I would do it out loud. I may start with pencil and paper, play a game where you pass your paper in circulation and then when it is all done, have them type it out on Microsoft Word. But using Google Docs at such a young age might be a bit out of their league. I probably wouldn't use Google Docs until 4th or 5th grade. They could use Google Docs as a way of writing papers and peer editing and Word for journal entries. It's an idea. Another possibility for Google Docs is to use it with the connection to parents. Have them write their thoughts about what they think about what is going on in their students' education with their name and date.

I'm not entirely sure if I will or how I will use Microsoft Word and Google Docs in my classroom, but it should be an interesting challenge to do so.