Science Inquiry

I really enjoyed the presentation by Neil today followed by the min-lesson on Google Docs. I've used Google docs in the past but only as a cloud storage device. I have a laptop, a desktop PC and I often work on stuff on public computers at school or on my computer at work. Docs saved me from having to carry a USB storage stick or emailing files around while I moved from computer to computer. My laptop also has a "Sleeping Beauty" reputation; it will fall into a deep sleep only to be awakened with an empty memory by the princes of PC repair (true story). After losing a full unit plan 4 days before submission in second semester, I would toss my big research papers and writings onto a new Google Doc so that even if my laptop did die again on me, I would still have the work saved in a safe place.

In first year lecture there was a presentation by some teachers from a school that had used Docs as a feedback loop in which students would post their writings in a document, invite the classmates and teacher and then reflect or comment on each others writings. I'm a big fan of having students collaborate and present to each other; I think this instills a sense of pride in one's work. I know that I tend to be a little more critical of my own work if I know it will be subject to the scrutiny of peers. I'm curious to find out how else we can use the free use-anywhere software.

I said above that my documents on Google Docs were safe... There is much discussion these days about the security of cloud computing but I'm confident enough in it to save my school work and the like on there. I would be hesitant to stick my SIN, credit cards, and other similar personal information on something like Docs because there is a certain sense of security I have in keeping these things in a safe box under my bed. Having said that, I've purchased numerous things online with a credit card, given my SIN to appropriate websites, and offered up bountiful amounts of personal information to Facebook. What makes these sites more trustworthy? I guess time will tell if Google's omnipresent features are as safe as they claim.

On a side note...

Running a cool techno-based inquiry project is awesome but how does it look in a school with no money? No smartboards, no laptops, no useful computers, no money for field trips and a small budget for supplies. I know this is a technology based class but this is something that has been on my mind since my placement in a school like the one described above.