Getting Started:
Sign into Google docs with your Google account ( if you use Gmail or Picasa or Blogger you have an account)
If you do not have a Google account create one.
Creating and saving a document
To create a new document, go to your Docs list, click the Create new drop-down menu, and select Document.
As you're working on your document, click the Save button in the top right corner of the document, enter a name for the document in the window that appears, and click OK. Then, you'll see your document in your Docs list.
Adding comments
Comments are a handy way of adding notes to your regular document text and are visible to viewers and collaborators. These can be invaluable for communicating with collaborators about specific parts of the document, as well as making notes about changes you've made or would like to make. When you publish your document as a webpage or print it, the comments will disappear.
To add a comment to your document, follow these instructions:
- Place your cursor where you'd like your comment to appear.
- Click the Insert drop-down menu.
- Select the Comment icon.
4. Type your comment in the box that appears to the right of the document. Your username appears by default in the comment.
To delete a comment, simply click the trash icon in the comment box.
Sharing
One person will create the document and be it's owner. Once the file is open and saved it can be shared. In the Docs list you click on Share and enter the names of editors/viewers.
Once you click on Share settings. A box will open and show the files visibility (the one document below is private. You can see who owns the file as well as those that have access. You may also add email addresses of those you would like to be able to view and edit.
File Visibility Options
For student work in progress, I suggest using Private so that sign in is required and you can use the revision history to see who has been on and when.
The other options do not require signing in, so editors may be seen as anonymous and you would not be able to trace comments or changes to a specific person.
Adding Comments and Revision History
To add comments to your document go to Insert and select Comment. The writer's name, date and time will be added to the end of the comment. All comments disappear when the document is published or printed.
To view the Revision history go to File and select See revision history.
The revisions and those who did the revising and the changes made will appear as below.
Publishing
When you publish your document Google assigns it a url. This url can be viewed by anyone. When published or printed, no comments show up. From the Google Docs start page select the document to publish and then under More actions select Publish.
More Help
Much of this content is taken from the Google help pages and forums. For more help go to Google Docs Help.
WHY Google Docs
Google Docs in Plain English (YouTube video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRqUE6IHTEA&feature=player_embedded
HOW Google Docs
Introduction to Google Docs (YouTube video) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sPymmJpTHJo
