What is Google Docs? Google Docs is an application you can use if you have a Gmail account to save, edit and collaborate on documents, spreadsheets, slide presentations, drawings and forms. I have used Google Docs and continue to use it to collaborate on documents with colleagues. For example, we are currently brainstorming on a midterm test and each of six people are creating questions and putting them into a document that will eventually be a pool of questions that cover every lecture we've had in the course so far. Another way I've used Google Docs in the past is by collaborating with a colleague to prepare a grant proposal. She was in Florida visiting relatives and I was here on Long Island, but we were both able to get into the document at the same time and write and edit the document in real time. Another way I've used Google Docs is for this class. Thomas Morritt and I both had edit access to a file where we compiled ideas for the Discussion Board assignment. Once we had the examples we were going to use, it was very easy to cut and past the items to the discussion board itself. I love using Google Docs. I save teaching materials such as spreadsheets, quizzes, to do lists and all other types of documents to it. The documents can be accessed at any time from any computer as long as I can access the Internet. Now, for the drawbacks. Essentially anything I put on Google Docs can become public. I read one NY Times column where the writer received a spreadsheet full of confidential company information. Apparently, the sender typed in the wrong Gmail account name. For that reason, I would warn against sharing documents on Google Docs that are privileged information. That means, high-level security information or other similar proprietary information.
What is Google Calendar? Google Calendar is an application that lets you save calendar appointments on your Gmail account. You will receive an email reminding you of upcoming appointments. You can also create events in the calendar and share that event with others. This is extremely helpful when you have a staff meeting and you want to make sure everyone receives a reminder. You can also request an RSVP from the people who have been invited to your event. You can also create multiple calendars. For example, you can create a family calendar to share with your spouse and a work calendar to share with your co-workers. One of the best aspects of using Google Calendar is that you will have access to your calendar anytime you access your Gmail. This application would be very useful to anyone who needs to schedule appointments and to coordinate with another employee. For example, a doctor or dentist or traveling executive can see the appointments that their staff have created for them. One cool use for the Google Calendar is to embed your calendar into your website. This would be great for a large event that contains an itinerary. For example, planning and carrying out a conference on the conference website would be a great way to use this app. One drawback I found is that the calendar does not let you specify a time zone, but does automatically change the times when the calendar is accessed in a different time zone. This could prove confusing for travelers.