Students and teachers are finding that the Google Docs online tools can save them time and energy.

English teacher Debbie Bowen says, “Students can access their documents easily, and it’s free and you can access anything, just like in Microsoft.”

Bowen’s students use Google Docs to collaborate on assignments and to send her their work.

She recommends that more students use the technology that enables multiple students to access and work on the same document at the same time.

Susan Oxnevead, a data coach in Oak Park, Illinois, published a blog about five ways that students and teachers can use Google Docs. She recommends the application for doing collaborative writing over the Internet,turning in assignments electronically to teachers, brainstorming ideas with other people on the same document, creating self-grading quizzes, and making electronic copies.

Oxnevead says there are many other ways to use Google Docs in the classroom, but these are some of the most useful.

To start using Google Docs, students search for it on the Internet, then it will lead newcomers to Gmail to sign in or to create an account. If you already have an account, then you would log in and a list of your recent documents would appear.

If you don’t already have a Gmail account, you have to create one before you can use Google Docs. Once your account is created, you’ll see a blue box on the screen that says download Google drive. When you click on that, Google drive connects to the Internet and downloads to your device’s hard drive.

After that is complete, you have to log on again and there will be a tutorial of how to use Google Docs.

Then lastly, Google Docs will create a folder with files from your computer that you already have or can add to.

Kerry Guiliano, a Technology Integration Specialist for Oakland Schools, said, “Google does collaborative work with other people from different areas on the one assignment.” Guiliano says anyone can use Google Docs and if a student is missing out on the opportunity, it is because the student is not taking the time to use Google Docs.

Bowen says Google Docs is a good source to use when a teacher assigns group work over the weekend and if there is no way for everyone to meet up. Everyone can stay comfortable at home and have input on their group project. Students can also access Google Docs from any smart phone, tablet or computer with Internet access and then store documents online.

The main thing users must have is a Gmail account.

Business teacher Eric McBride says her students use another online tool called Quizlet. The program allows students or teachers to create their own electronic vocabulary cards or flashcards. It could be used in many different course, McBrien says.

To use Quizlet, users must create an account and enter the data that they want stored on each card. Once it is created, others can also use see the cards online.