With the development and advancement of computer networks, online collaborative learning becomes possible even if students cannot meet in a classroom (Macdonald, 2006).
In a writing classroom, collaborative writing can also be encouraged with the use of the World Wide Web. Haring-Smith (1994, p. 360) defines collaborative writing as involving more than one person who contributes to the creation of a text so that “sharing responsibility” becomes essential. Computer networks make collaborative writing easier (Haring-Smith, 1994). This allows educators and students to share their work with others, collaborate on assignments, and save documents online for access at school or at home.
In a writing classroom, collaborative writing can also be encouraged with the use of the World Wide Web. Haring-Smith (1994, p. 360) defines collaborative writing as involving more than one person who contributes to the creation of a text so that “sharing responsibility” becomes essential. Computer networks make collaborative writing easier (Haring-Smith, 1994). This allows educators and students to share their work with others, collaborate on assignments, and save documents online for access at school or at home.
One of the web based application which facilitate the students to do collaborative writing is Google Docs. Google Docs is “a free, web-based word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, form, and data storage service offered by Google” (Wikipedia, 2010). It allows users to create, edit and store their documents online (Thompson, 2008).
Google Docs includes four major options:
- Google Documents
- Google Spreadsheets
- Google Presentations
- and Google Drawing
This article focuses on Google Documents and how this application can facilitate students’ collaborative writing in the English language classroom.
This is the simple tutorial to make Google Docs:
- You will need to register for a Google account.
- Visit http://docs.google.com
- Sign into Google Docs:
-If you already have a Google account (i.e. you use another Google service, such as: Gmail, Google Calendar, iGoogle, Google Reader, Google Notebook, etc.) sign into Google Docs using your existing Google account.
-If not, click Get Started to create your Google account. - Creating and Working with a New Document.
- Click on New on the Menu bar and select which type of file you would like to create. For the purposes of this tutorial we will be using the Document option.
6. Google Docs will open a new window that will allow you to create a word processed document.
7. Saving and Renaming a New Document.
8. In order to save your document you just need to click on the Save button.
9. Inserting comments, sharing, and collaborating.
10. To share a created document with others, users should click the “Share” drop-down menu on the right-hand side and select “Sharing settings.”
9. Inserting comments, sharing, and collaborating.
10. To share a created document with others, users should click the “Share” drop-down menu on the right-hand side and select “Sharing settings.”
11. Publishing
12. Once the document has been created, it can be published by selecting the “Publish to the Web” option under the “Share” drop-down menu. Inside the “Publish to the Web” dialog box, users should click “Start publishing” and then confirm by clicking OK in the “Message from webpage” dialog box to make the document available as a webpage. The link to the published document will then be shown in the “Document link” box and the document can be accessed and seen by anyone anywhere in the world.
13. Finish.
Besides, for your further reading to gain your understanding about all of the information about Google Docs and the complete tutorial, you can visit this link below:
- http://www.tesl-ej.org/wordpress/issues/volume14/ej55/ej55m1/
- https://onlineconnections.wikispaces.com/file/view/Google+Docs+Tutorial.pdf
Thank you^^
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