BP10_2009103_File_Sharing

File sharing is a really clever way to upload, share, edit and otherwise work with files. You can upload and alter docs, pictures, videos, and all sorts of things along those lines. This is a true collaboration tool for multiple people can write and edit at the same time and see those changes live. This is especially helpful for group projects that require a report to go with it. You can even compare different copies to see who has done what. Google Docs is a free version of this that is easy to use and has neat feature like an edit list of who has edited when, and comparisons of different versions. It is easy to upload docs and images and it does not matter what platform you are using. That is one of the true benefits of Web 2.0 software, much of it is online software and it is not platform specific. You can even upload different files and grant certain people access to the files you have loaded.

For those science minded, like me, this is great for group projects or lab reports. There are so many times where my students neglect to share their data with each other. This is great for after a lab, post results and use google spreadsheet to graph the results. Then students can take turns working on their conclusion paragraph. One of the most important things to do as a scientist, and one of the things as science teachers we tend to miss, is to share/publish results. The only way to truly make the discovery and experience authentic is to share that knowledge with others. Google Docs can help groups create a polished lab report and post results, they can choose who gets to view it. The ability to start something at school and then finish it at home is such a valuable piece to this wave of technology. It helps continue the learning, and lessens frustrations over of lack of time that can be alloted to complete projects and such.