Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
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To create a Google Document. Click on the Red Create Button. Once clicked you will see
the items available in the Google Drive Online Productivity Suite. Select Document. Since
this is a web-based program this document resides on the web. The web address is located
in the URL in your address bar at the top here. Unlike traditional word processing programs,
you do not need to save your document, but you do need to title it. To title click on
the words Untitled Document, a box will show up and type the title. When you are done,
click Ok. You will see that the title has been changed.
Format painter is a great tool to know how to use in Google Docs. To demonstrate I will
type two sentences. One sentence I will give heavy format, so I've made it bold and I have
changed the color. The other sentence I am going to leave in basic format. I am now going
to apply the same formatting to the non formatted text by placing the cursor in the text, then
I'll click on the format painter icon and then highlight the non formatted sentence.
You will see that it has applied all the format to the non formatted text. This is especially
helpful when copying text from the internet.
Another unique feature of the Google Online Productivity Suite is the ability to share
a document collaboratively. This is what sets Google above traditional word processing.
To share a document, click the blue share button in the top right hand corner. This
is the open the Share settings window. In this window you will select who and how you
would like to share your document. Note, that that automatic default is Private. But you
can change that to indicate more levels of sharing. To invite people type in their email
addresses. You can also choose to add a message. At this window, you can give them different
editing rights. Click done when you have completed and this document is now shared. On the next
suggest sending them an email stating they have a document that has just been shared.
A feature, teachers and students love is the Research bar located in the Tools dropdown.
This enables the users to search the web while remaining in the document. I am going to search
for a Liger, and what you will see all my images show up here. I can select my image
and drag it over. The image will automatically be cited in the selected annotation.
As a teacher, knowing who did the work and when work was completed on a project is important.
Revision history located under File in the menu bar allows you do that. Once selected
you will see the history on the side. You can view the history and revert back to any
of the past versions simply by clicking on Revert history.
Lastly, the user can add comments by going to insert Comment. You simply type the comment
her and you click on the word Comment. When I hover over it and open it you will see that
there is a resolve button. if I ask someone to make a change and they done it, they can
click Resolve and that comment goes away. By clicking on Comments you get a history
of all the comments. This is the basics of using Google Documents. It is not so different
from other word processing programs.