Thing 3 - Google Docs

I already had a Google account and have used Google Docs for gathering information from colleagues with *limited success. I like the idea of using it to make surveys (about books, reading, etcl...) I watched the video and read through the information at Google for Educators and have made note of the following:

• accessible from anywhere at anytime
• don't have to e-mail back and forth
• groups of students can work on an assignment at the same time from different locations
• on the video, it said that the teacher can tell who is doing what on the document - that's a neat feature (there is a slide presentation that shows how this works)
• don't have to "pass the paper around the room." Great for interactive planning and cuts down on meetings (great for planning purposes)
• teacher can add comments like in Word (I like this feature and have used it in Word and e-mailed it)
• the *downside is that all of the users need to have a Google account and be comfortable using this application - looks like it would be worth it in the long run.
• I can think of lots of ways with teachers/staff...now I just need to think of a way to use it with elementary students...perhaps just the fact that they can share it with the teacher is enough. That way students could get feedback right away.
• great YouTube of Google Docs In Plain English