I am constantly promoting the use of Google Docs to
administrators, teachers, parents and particularly students. Many school districts allow access to Google
Docs from school computers. Not only
that, but Google Docs has its own software for writing documents, creating spreadsheets
and presentations! Just think of the
crossover from home to school-school to home.
AND it is free! I teach my students
how to use a scanner, upload a document, and organize documents all on Google
Docs.
With practice, the forgetful student can request a pass to
go to the library to print out a homework assignment from Google Docs. Students requiring a predictive spelling
program can download a free program from the web and use it in conjunction with
Google Docs’ word processor. A free text
to speech reader can also be downloaded so that the document created can be
read back to the student. Okay, so the
assistive technology may not be fully integrated, as in a commercially based
program, but it still is an option and it still works! This may be something for the Google Gods to
think about creatingJ!
One more thing that the Google Gods should think about, what
do you think about allowing truly customizable meeting lengths in Google
Calendar. My students enter a schedule
into the Google Calendar. Most schools
use 40, 41, or 42 minute periods not the standard 15 minute segments as in the
current calendar. Please think about
allowing the student/client/business owner to adjust meeting length in the
Google Calendar.
