Using GoogleDocs allows for collaborative document creation and cloud storage. Users can create a new Google account or use an existing Gmail account to access GoogleDocs. Once logged in, the user's GoogleDrive homepage will display a list of existing documents. New documents can be created or existing files can be uploaded. Documents can be shared with collaborators for real-time editing. Revision history tracking allows users to monitor edits made to shared documents.

1. Using GoogleDocs
Collaborative creation and cloud computing
By Emily Mross

2. Creating an account
If you currently have a Gmail account, you have access to GoogleDrive,
and therefore, GoogleDocs, without having to make a new account. Log
into your Gmail account and select GoogleDrive from the navigation bar,
or log into GoogleDocs with your Gmail account.

3. Creating an account
If you do not have a GoogleDocs account, creating a new one is simple
and free. Visit docs.google.com and select “Sign Up”.

4. Creating a new account
Fill out the fields to register an account. You can create a Gmail account,
or use a current email address. It can be beneficial to just create a Gmail
account, because you can manage many types of collaborative Google
software from one account more easily.

5. Docs List
When you log in, GoogleDrive (which is a part of GoogleDocs) will show
a list of all of the Docs you have created, listed by date last modified.
You can select a Doc to work on from this list, or creat a new one, or
upload a document from your computer.

6. Creating a new Doc
Select “Create” and a dropdown menu will appear. You can choose from
Document (similar to Microsoft Word), Presentation (PowerPoint),
Spreadsheet (Excel), Form, or Drawing. If you can use basic Microsoft
Office tools, using GoogleDocs will not be difficult. You can also choose
to make a folder to group related Docs together.

7. Uploading a Doc
Select the upward arrow to upload files to GoogleDocs. These can be in
any file format, because of GoogleDrive. Drive acts as a cloud storage
space for your files. You can access them and download them to any
computer with an internet connect. Be aware, however, that only basic
file formats (doc, xls, ppt, pdf, jpeg, etc.) can be opened within
GoogleDocs. Files from specialized software will likely not open.

8. Uploading a Doc
Select the document or folder you would like to upload using the file
browser.

9. Uploading a Doc
The file uploader will appear in the bottom right corner of your screen,
and keep track of the uploading progress. You can upload multiple files
at the same time. They will be added to your main screen when
uploading is complete.

10. NoodleTools and GoogleDocs
Students can also work on projects created in NoodleTools through
GoogleDocs. Select the Paper button in the navigator to get started.

11. NoodleTools and GoogleDocs
NoodleTools will prompt you for permission to log into your GoogleDocs
account, and then it will create the document for you, using the title set
up earlier in NoodleTools. This document can then be re-accessed from
both NoodleTools, by selecting Paper, or from your main page on
GoogleDocs

12. Collaboration
There are two ways to share your Doc. The blue share button on the top
right of the screen, and another share option under File. After a Doc is
shared, you can use Email Collaborators, also found under file, to send
information to other users of the Doc.

13. Tracking work
Using Track Revision History, also found under file, you can view who
edited a document and when. This can be helpful in monitoring group
work on shared documents, because you will be able to see who
accessed the document, when they accessed it, and what they did.

14. Other ways to share
Several other Share options can be found on the File menu. You can
download the file in several different formats as needed. Documents can
also be emailed as an attachment directly from the Doc page by
selecting Email as an attachment.