Google docs and students...

While Google docs sounds like a really great way for students and teachers to 'go green', collaborate, write, and edit papers and projects, there are issues related to access and ease of use that may be a hindrance. Needing an e-mail address to establish an account may be a problem for younger students being introduced to the new technology for writing, editing, and submitting assignments. There is also the issue of who owns the material on Google docs ? From Google docs-
"“you give Google a worldwide, royalty-free, and non-exclusive license to reproduce, adapt, modify, translate, publish, publicly perform, publicly display and distribute any Content which you submit, post or display on or through the Service." It is also stipulated that children be over the age of 13 to use the service as it must comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act designed to protect the privacy of minors with regard to collection of personal information . So it is imperative that when using Google docs in a classroom setting parental/guardian permission is obtained. That being said, Google docs offers a classroom a truly creative and collaborative way for students to interact in the educational process. Would the technology be welcomed by educators? As with other applications, if the educator is comfortable with technology, they are more apt to see the benefits and rewards that can result, and therefore put the applications into action.