Document Sharing with Google Docs

Using Google Docs is a really neat way to get students excited about writing collaboratively! I think I would break my students into group of 2-4 to work on an assignment. Working with fourth graders, I would have to be very specific with my instructions. I would maybe create a checklist of things that would need to be included to be sure that I receive quality work from the students. For example, if I have a group of four who's assignment is to write a research paper about one famous woman in history in support of women's history month. I could assign one student accomplishments, another student childhood, etc.

One drawback that I see to using this program with my students is first and foremost my limited access to computers for all students to use in school. A second drawback I see is keeping all of my students on task. I want to be sure this doesn't turn into them wasting time and writing silly things back and forth.