Google Docs, a collaborative writing tool

Description: Google Docs is an online word processor for creating, editing, and collaborating on documents in real time. Through a web-based interface, users can write, format, and share documents, with all changes saved automatically to Google Drive. Also, it automatically saves progress and has different access modes: viewer, commenter, and editor. Users in editor mode can visualise how and by whom a document was modified. They can also add comments or suggestions to a text. A Google Docs document can be shared through a URL or an e-mail, as well as downloaded as a .docx or a .pdf document, among others. Word documents can also be uploaded to Google Docs and edited on the platform. Google Docs is free to use with a Google account. It requires having an account to create documents, though sharing and collaborating on files can be done without one if shared with appropriate permissions. Google Docs is developed by Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

Evaluation: Google Docs is a straightforward and practical tool for writing autonomously or collaboratively. It is arguably the most popular text editor tool for many reasons: it is easy to use and share, has plenty of helpful features, and is automatically connected with other Google Tools. However, Google Docs is not the most privacy-friendly text editor. See alternatives in the “Respect for Privacy” section.

Cost: Free with a Google account + paid storage options available.

Respect for privacy Privacy evaluations indicate how a tool handles personal data collection, storage, and sharing, including GDPR compliance and security measures, among others. The ICT-REV team provides them for informational purposes, reflecting our best understanding at the time of review, but assumes no legal responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of these evaluations and encourages users to conduct their own assessments: Medium. Google is well known for using user data for behavioural advertising and marketing purposes, but it does offer a high degree of security for data. This video explains this in depth. More privacy-friendly options for the same function would be Yopad or Cryptpad. See more here.

Type Of Interaction: Group/pair work - classmates, Individual work,

Skills: Writing,

Content: Website/other users supply, You supply,

Usability and tech notes ▼