Thing #13 Web Based Applications

Web based applications are all the rage these days.  Because of their convenience to access them, more and more people have started to use them.  For this post, I checked out both Zoho and Google docs. 

Zoho Writer is a word processor that allows a person to create a document and then share it via the internet for people to see.  This is convenient because the people allowed to see it are invited and notified that there is a document to view.  Its convenience is also present when it comes to viewing a document because there is no need to worry about different computer applications or tedious downloading processes.  Zoho writer could be very helpful for teachers when communicating to their students, parents, colleagues, or administrators.  You can also have those who have read your document add comments.  This could be beneficial for older students to see who is checking out the documents you send out and who is not.  I think of the coolest things about Zoho is the ability for one to create a document and then export it straight to a blog.  There is no need to worry about hyperlinks or the uncertainty of the conversion of files.

I have used Google Docs before but never so extensively.  I used it for this assignment to create a drawing (a flow chart) of how I do my 23 things. Check out the link HERE!  I think Google Docs would be a good resource to use for older students who may be working in groups on a project because they could work on a lot of it outside of class.  They could communicate over the web and each edit either the documents, drawing or presentations as they see fit.  Another reason why Google docs is useful is because the items will not be deleted.  Students or teachers can recall things from previous activities to refresh their memories or use again.

Out of the two, I think I prefer Google Docs better just because I am already an avid Google user.  I did not know that I could make presentations using Google docs though.  I will definitely be using that in the future.  I will not have to worry about transporting files via a USB drive, they will always be in my Google docs account.