Using Docs.google to facilitate collaborative learning

1. Using Docs.google to facilitate collaborative learning Dr. Tianwei Xie California State University Long Beach May 2008 Email: txie@csulb.edu Virtual office: http://xietianwei.net

2. Collaborative learning • Cooperative learning (CL) is an instructional paradigm in which teams of students work on structured tasks (e.g., homework assignments, laboratory experiments, or design projects)

3. Many studies have shown that when correctly implemented, cooperative learning improves: • information acquisition and retention • higher-level thinking skills • interpersonal and communication skills • and self-confidence. • Johnson, Johnson, and Smith.(1998). Active Learning: Cooperation in the College Classroom. Edina, MN: Interaction Book Company. <http://clte.asu.edu/active/baselemcooptms.pdf>

4. Programs for collaborative learning • writeboard.com • wikispaces.com • docs.google.com

5. writeboard.com • http://writeboard.com

6. Writeboard Discussion Links Password csulbchn360Lesson 8 • eric_chianghorng_david_yishyu • http://writeboard.com/afd521c40acb815f9 • Daniella_Jade_Ide_Brett_Mengxia' • http://123.writeboard.com/3077920e1e4982e03 • Lee_Fumi_Andrei_Yuko • http://123.writeboard.com/70dabf6fe3f1f4f6b

7. Wikispaces • http://www.wikispaces.com • http://chin360.wikispaces.com

8. Google Docs in Plain English • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA

9. Procedures of using docs.google • The first writer creates a draft • He/she invites co-writer(s) to access his/her draft. • All co-writers review and edit the draft. • When a final version is completed, it can be exported or saved in several formats (doc, rtf, htm, txt, pdf).

10. Features • It allows collaborative learning. • The process (reviewing and editing) can be synchronous or asynchronous. • Revision history (procedures of writing and editing) is recorded and each version can be retrieved.

11. Pilot project • Participants: second year students • Task: creating a dialogue • Procedures: • Form writing groups (2-3 students). • Students create free accounts and write collaboratively. • The instructor is "invited" as a collaborator of each group and monitorsstudents’ writing process and gives advises.

12. Some examples • An example of synchronous editing • An example of asynchronous editing 1 • An example of asynchronous editing 2

13. The result • The students like the project and their collaborative writing facilitated learning. • The essays/dialogues that students wrote were "longer" than usual writings. • The students were involved in discussion and negotiation. • More research should be done though to reach any plausible conclusion regarding the effectiveness of using this program.

14. Try it on • Go to http://www.google.com • Select More, Documents • Get started (to create free account) • Follow online instructions • Sign in

15. Create a word file and share with others • New Document • Type something • Share with others (invite collaborators) in your group • Members of each group work collaboratively (try synchronous or asynchronous editing)

16. Synchronous editing • Sign in • Open the same file • Working independently • Watch how others are editing

17. Thank you!