A Collaborative Take

Welcome to the World of Collaboration

As the majority of us are familiar with this handy little tool, we so often take it for granted. We may not consider it to be new now, but it has only been around since 2007--a measly 8 years.

Group projects are assigned in the classroom and no one has time to meet in person; presentations must be organized for that last minute conference--technology has the capability of allowing us to collaborate on any piece of work, at any time, any place in the world. And since we are all too busy to meet in person, Google has conveniently spared our educators and businesses alike from having to nix the concept of group collaboration...[insert Google Docs here].

The creation of the web 2.0 technology, Google Docs, streamlines a groups' ability to collaborate and innovate within a single document.

Google Docs allows its users to create, share and edit documents, spreadsheets, and Power Points. Once a document is shared through this technology, the users being shared with have the ability to edit the document in real time. There are different levels of sharing, as well--if the document is to be viewed and not edited, the creator simply changes the document settings. This technology is extremely versatile and enhances the ability for a group to collaborate in real time whether or not they are able to meet in the same room. 

In the classroom

Studies upon studies have shown that students learn best in small groups. Not only do us youngsters learn from each other, we also build off of each other's ideas. In the modern day, collaboration has become the goal in many classrooms. This is in order to foster an open learning dialogue and enhance the overall effectiveness of learning. That is, by utilizing this hands-on approach of group collaboration, students are able to fulfill a much more realistic and practical knowledge of their field of study.

In the office

Businesses are constantly expanding and one great way to achieve collaboration without compromising location discrepancies is by utilizing the Google Doc tool. Say your business is partnering with a non-profit. That non-profit has a list of sponsors that need to be contacted; create a Google Doc Spreadsheet and real-time edit the sponsors you have contacted, any notes you may have taken about the sponsor, and the amount of money or product they are offering up. This is one of an infinite amount of uses for this Web 2.0 technology that is rapidly being utilized by internet users alike. 

How to get started

CLICK HERE to create your GoogleDocs Account!

To begin utilizing this innovative tool, all you need is access to the internet and an e-mail address. The Google Doc site will guide you to create whichever document you wish, or to even upload an existing document and prepare it for sharing and further editing. Google Docs automatically saves your work so you will never 'accidentally' delete your most important work!