Exploring Web-based Applications: Google Spreadsheets

Describe your experience as a user of the application. What functions did you like and what functions did you find frustrating? Why?
I am pretty familiar with the google suite of applications, spreadsheets included.  It's very intuitive to use, especially for those who are familiar with Microsoft's Excel.  The best part of it though is that, like the rest of the google apps, you can use it as a collaboration tool.  Multiple users can input and edit information on the spreadsheet.  The only frustration that I have, is that at times it can slow down a little bit.  I think this is due to the fact that everything is built into the web.

What knowledge or skills would students need to use the software?
Basic information about using spreadsheets is important.  But like I said before, if they are experienced in using excel then this shouldn't be a problem.  Learning the google interface should also come relatively easy.  Understanding the idea of cloud computing would also be an important concept for them to grasp.

How can you share the products you create with this application?
Google spreadsheets can be easily turned in to graphs and other visual representations of the information.  This can then be copied and pasted into other applications or printed to be shared as a hard copy.

How could you see the application being used to teach a particular subject matter?
Spreadsheets scream science to me.  I guess when I was in school that's what I primarily used Excel for.  If students are working on a group lab, they could use google spreadsheets to collaborate on the data input and presentation of their data.  They could also use the spreadsheet to help them compute different equations.

Google spreadsheets can also be used as an organizational tool.  In our music department, students are involved in helping keep track of the inventory of instruments.  We call them equipment managers (EMs for short).  The EMs use spreadsheets already, and with google docs they would have access to it whenever they would need to update it.

What are some things a teacher could do to help students collaborate using this application?
Teachers can easily adjust their lessons to include the use of google spreadsheets.  Anything that involves data of any kind can be used to help promote collaboration.  Another feature associated with google spreadsheets is Forms.  Here students can work together to create a survey, administer it, and then analyze the data all within google spreadsheets.  These activities promote collaboration and problem solving.

What sort of organization or managerial considerations will a teacher have to take into account?
 When using any of the google apps as a collaboration tool, the teacher must take into consideration accessibility.  All students will need their own google accounts in order to get to the apps.  Also regular internet access is required.  Once everyone is plugged in, we must teach our students to be ethical.  Because anyone who editing power can greatly alter/impact the documents created, students need to be made aware of responsible and respectful behaviors concerning this.