Thing 13

I really enjoyed playing around with both Google Docs and Zoho.  I am more comfortable with maneuvering around Google Docs, but only because I've used it before.  This is the first time I used it to 'share' any of my work.  So, here is a link to an invitation I made and saved on Google Docs.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18_qOprNmqZrjOqiR4Mdi5xiS66JpFko0zJv3MGFVW_0/edit 

And, here is a screenshot so can view it without leaving this post!

 

Zoho was a new experience for me.  I wasn't really sure what to expect.  It seems a lot like Google Docs.  I had worked on a flyer for a class during my undergraduate studies.  I was able to upload it to a Zoho writer document.  I was unable to 'share' it by using the 'post to blog button', so, I've taken a screen shot and inserted it below.

 

Of these two productivity sites, I prefer Google Docs to Zoho.  Some of this may be because I am already familiar with Google Docs, but I think the ease of access for so many to view an edit the same piece work is amazing.  Using Google Docs for collaborative projects in the classroom is a great way to get students used to working in groups and using web-based applications.  One assignment I have thought about using in lesson plans for one of my other classes uses Google Docs.  The assignment is for groups of four to work together on a flyer advertising the reading selection of the week.  The flyer must be created in Google Dos.  Students will have 15 minutes in one class period to decide a theme for the flyer, get a basic idea of how it should look, and assign responsibilities (who will write the text, who will format the layout, who will add the graphics, etc.).  All other work must be done individually.  This kind of collaborative work using Google Docs could be used in many different assignments.  Even peer editing of papers would be a way Google Docs could be used as a collaborative assignment.