Google+Docs


 * [[image:Google_Docs_logo.jpg width="112" height="101"]] || = Google Docs are available "in the cloud" on Google Servers, so documents can be accessed from any computer. Contestants will use Google Docs to create documents for collaboration. = ||

­­ As a District, we license most computers to use Microsoft Office. While these are popular tools, in recent years there has been a move to decrease costs and increase the ability to access the documents at any time from any computer. Google Documents provides a feature-rich set of applications designed to compete with Microsoft Office products. Google Docs are available “in the cloud” on Google servers, so it is important to remember the importance of protecting private student information. Google Docs fosters an environment of collaboration by making the documents easy to share with others. When changes are made, the document is saved, and the updated version is saved on the Google servers. You can gain access to Google Docs at [|http://www.docs.google.com].

1. Log in to Google Docs using your gmail username and password.

2. The left pane is used to organize your documents by allowing you to store files in folders, display documents shared with others, and view the documents by type (spreadsheets, PDFs, word processing, or presentations.)

3. We will begin by creating a new word processing document. Click the **Create New** button. When the drop down menu appears select **Document**. Click in the box that has **Untitled document** and type "Vacation Plans for Team #___".

4. Begin your doucment by typing in the names of your team members. Have each one type a short message about their vacation plans next to their name.

5. When the last member's plans are entered, go to the top right and open the **Share** menu by clicking the **drop down arrow.** View the different options that are available.

6. Click **Sharing Settings** to set permissions to your doucment. there is an option to keep your document Private, but today we will change that setting. Click **Change.**

 7. We will select **Anyone with the link** and then check the box to allow Edit access. Remember to click Save!

 8. Next, you will enter the email addresses of one other Amazing Race team so they can add their vacation plans on your team's document. You can type a message asking them to add their vacation plans before clicking **Share**.

NOTE: You can also use Google Docs to work on documents you previously created in Microsoft Word or Excel. You can import the following types of files to Google Docs. (Adobe .pdf, .Comma-separated value spreadsheet .csv, Microsoft Excel .xls, Microsoft PowerPoint .ppt, Microsoft Word .doc, Plain text .txt, Web and html documents .htm) To import a file click the **Upload** button from the Google Docs home page. When the Upload a File page appears, click the **Browse** button and select the file to upload. If you want to rename the file, enter a new name in to the **What Do You Want to Call it** box. Click the **upload** file button. The uploaded documents will appear in the browser window. The file is saved to the Google servers.

9. Next we will create a Google Form. Click the **Create New** button and select **Form**.

10. Click in the first text box (Untitled form) and name the form **Team#Amazing Race Form**. The second text box is for extra information that participants might need to answer that question (skip this for now).

11. Decide if you want responses to be anonymous or if you want to require certain information such as name, grade, campus, etc. For our purpose today, we will only ask for a name. In the **Question Title** box, type in Name. For the **Question Type,** choose Text. **Check in the box** beside Make this a required question. Click **Done** and then click **Save**.

12. In the Question Title box, Type, "What is your favorite color?" In the **Question Type** box select choose from a list. Type in Blue, click in the Click to add an option text box. Type in Green, click to add an option. Continue and add Red, Yellow, and Purple. **Click in the box** beside Make this a required question. Click **Done** and then click Save.

13. Now create a second question of your team's choice by clicking the down arrow on the button **Add Item** and choose your Question type. Once you have completed this question, Click **Done** and then click **Save**.

<span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 14. Note at the top right (see image) different options that are available. Edit confirmation is where you type a thankful message to your responders once they complete the form. You have the option to allow viewing of the response summary by checking box, or leaving it unchecked. Note also that it will give you the embed code if you wish to post it on a blog, wiki, or other Web 2.0 application.

<span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%; line-height: 115%;"> 15. Next we will email the form (click Email this form) to your team members and Race Coordinators to collect their responses. You have the choice to include the form in the email for convenience, or uncheck that option and make them login before opening. Allow each team member to login to their email account to answer the questions so you will be able to view the results. Results can be viewed in a spreadsheet, as a Summary, or List View [We will show these during WRAP UP after the race].

<span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;"> 16. Logout and give the Journey 5 card to a race coordinator.

<span style="color: #4f6228; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 110%;">Congratulations...you are ready to move on to your next journey!