GoogleDocs

Using Google Docs:

 * 1) Set up and account by navigating to [|http://docs.google.com] on your web browser
 * 2) Instructions for setting up an account are at the site (you can create an account using your existing e-mail address
 * 3) Once you set-up a [|Google Account] it will be your "pass key" into all the Google Applications


 * Step #1:** Sign in with your Google Account
 * Step #2:** Click the **"New Document"** link, located on the upper left-hand side of the screen.
 * Step #3:** From the dropdown menu, select **Document.**


 * How To Format Documents for Use in Word**
 * Google Documents can't be cut and pasted into Microsoft Word—without the formatting getting all messed up, along with the font, size of the letters, and a lot of other stuff.
 * Excellent Workaround--instead of copying, go to "File" and choose "export as Word." This will preserve your formatting and save the document in a Word format.

> || Google Document Settings || is important!
 * Getting a Word Count**
 * Word count feature is located in the **FILE** drop down menu
 * Word counts are slightly different in Google Documents than in Word
 * Google is a bit more lenient on what constitutes a separate word
 * Most schools and jobs will go by what Word says, so be sure to **export to word** if word count
 * [[image:esu3web20workshop:docsetting.jpg width="333" height="249" caption="Google Document Settings"]] ||


 * Document Settings**
 * Defaults for documents can be set to select the opening font, line spacing and background color.
 * Located under **FILE→** **Document settings**

Google docs has the ability to share a document with multiple users, letting users change (or just view) files. For group projects, this can be a fantastic way to collaborate* Click on the "**Share**" button in the upper right hand corner of a Google document.
 * How To Share a Document and Track Revisions**
 * You can invite viewers, or collaborators (send them an e-mail invite OR not)
 * Once multiple users are working with a document, hit the "**Revisions**" tab to track all the revisions and roll back unnecessary changes
 * With multiple collaborators working at once, it is best to simply **“refresh”** rather than **SAVE**. (could “wipe out” others work)


 * Starring Documents**
 * Click the **star** next to a document name in the folder view to highlight that document as important.
 * **Stars** help prioritize documents when you have a lot of projects going
 * **Click on the star** at the top of the column to bring “starred’ documents to the top of the column


 * Rename a Google Document File:** Once you save a document, you can rename the document. From the **FILE** tab, click the **Rename** option and a dialog box will open allowing the document to be renamed.

How are Teachers Using Google Docs?

 * ease of students sharing and collaborating on written projects and presentations
 * documenting revisions and the ability to "roll back" to previous revisions when students "accidentally" delete
 * work from any computer that has Internet access--no more leaving work at home, school, etc.
 * work is saved automatically
 * access documents from anywhere with internet acess
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