Google Docs and lesson plans

After trying Google Docs, I have to say I see very few downsides.  It is great for collaboration- multiple people can work on the same document at once.  This would be especially great when used in conjunction with a video chat or in a classroom for brainstorming.  It is easy to publish online, and make available to students immediately.  It is also easy to convert into multiple formats (word, pdf, etc).  The basic functions are almost identical to what you would see in Microsoft Word (which is what I usually use).  You can insert tables, pictures, urls, etc quickly and easily.  Some negatives are that you must have internet access, and there might be some security issues with everything being online.  Word also has some advanced options (like a huge variety of templates), which would make it a better option for office environments.

Using the collaborative editing was simple and efficient.  It was easy to share, and each user was shown as a different color, which made things clear.  Like I said before, I think this would best be used in a classroom (or in any environment with many users in one room), or else when connected by video chat.  

I looked at a Language Arts lesson plan in which students were required to use google docs to create madlibs, word searches, or discussion questions related to a reader's workshop.    The lesson required the students to figure out different methods on their own of how to create those things, which I thought was a great idea.  It allows them to explore the technology on their own, and maybe come up with some innovative idea we may not have thought of.

I also read a lesson plan on erosion that requires students to create a multimedia project using Google Presentation, Google Site, Smart NoteBook, or PhotoStory.  I thought the project was wonderful in that it not only required students to research about erosion, but it also had them focus on the layout and presentation of their project- fonts, pictures, graphics, formatting, etc.