What is Google Docs –Google Docs “is a free Web-based office suite, and data storage service offered by Google. It allows users to create and edit documents

What is Google DocsWhat is Google Docs

– Google Docs “is a free Google Docs “is a free Web-based office suite, Web-based office suite, and data storage and data storage service offered by service offered by Google. It allows users Google. It allows users to create and edit to create and edit documents online while documents online while collaborating in real-collaborating in real-time with other users” time with other users” (Wikipedia, 2011, para. (Wikipedia, 2011, para. 1). 1).

History of Google DocsHistory of Google Docs

Recognizing a NeedRecognizing a Need– Google Docs is a cluster of Google Docs is a cluster of

technologies that was technologies that was developed from previous developed from previous innovations: Writely and innovations: Writely and Google spreadsheets. The Google spreadsheets. The Google corporation Google corporation purchased the company that purchased the company that delivered the Web-based, delivered the Web-based, word processor- Writely, and word processor- Writely, and combined this innovation combined this innovation with its own Google with its own Google spreadsheets in 2006 spreadsheets in 2006 (Wikipedia, 2011).(Wikipedia, 2011).


Basic and Applied Basic and Applied ResearchResearch– Google combined Google combined

Google Spreadsheets Google Spreadsheets with early technologies with early technologies to produce Google Labs to produce Google Labs Spreadsheets in 2006.Spreadsheets in 2006.


DevelopmentDevelopment– Google developed the innovation Google developed the innovation

by adding program presentation by adding program presentation capability and launched a new capability and launched a new version of Google Docs in 2007.version of Google Docs in 2007.

– Google further developed the Google further developed the innovation after purchasing innovation after purchasing DocVerse which enabled the DocVerse which enabled the innovation to incorporate and innovation to incorporate and allow, “multiple user online allow, “multiple user online collaboration on Microsoft Office collaboration on Microsoft Office compatible document formats such compatible document formats such as Word, Excel, and Power Point as Word, Excel, and Power Point (Wikipedia, 2011, para. 10), and (Wikipedia, 2011, para. 10), and launched its most updated version launched its most updated version of Google Docs in 2011.of Google Docs in 2011.


CommercializationCommercialization– Google first made the Google first made the

innovation available to users of innovation available to users of Google Apps.Google Apps.

– Google then marketed their Google then marketed their innovation by advertising that, innovation by advertising that, “Google Docs would allow any “Google Docs would allow any file type, including 1GB of free file type, including 1GB of free space and $0.25/GB for space and $0.25/GB for additional storage” (Wikipedia, additional storage” (Wikipedia, 2011, para. 9). 2011, para. 9).

– Google Docs is now available Google Docs is now available online, as open source online, as open source technology, free of charge.technology, free of charge.

History of DiffusionHistory of Diffusion

Diffusion and Diffusion and AdoptionAdoption– Google Docs has Google Docs has

experienced popularity experienced popularity among businesses, among businesses, students, and educational students, and educational institutions due to no user institutions due to no user fees, easy accessibility on fees, easy accessibility on the Internet, and its the Internet, and its “enhanced sharing features” “enhanced sharing features” (Wikipedia, 2011, Features, (Wikipedia, 2011, Features, para. 4). para. 4).

Benefits of Google DocsBenefits of Google Docs

– Google Docs facilitates Google Docs facilitates online collaboration in online collaboration in real-time, allowing users real-time, allowing users to open, share, and edit to open, share, and edit documents documents simultaneously. Google simultaneously. Google Docs’ basic benefits can Docs’ basic benefits can be divided according to be divided according to what the innovation what the innovation allows users to do with allows users to do with documents, documents, spreadsheets, and spreadsheets, and presentations.presentations.


DocumentsDocuments– Upload and convert Word documents, Upload and convert Word documents,

OpenOffice, RTF, HTML, text (.txt), OpenOffice, RTF, HTML, text (.txt), Open Office (.odt), and StarOffice Writer Open Office (.odt), and StarOffice Writer (.sxw) files (or create documents from (.sxw) files (or create documents from scratch).scratch).

– Easily format your documents.Easily format your documents.

– Invite others by email to edit or view your Invite others by email to edit or view your documents.documents.

– Collaborate online in real time and chat Collaborate online in real time and chat with other collaborators.with other collaborators.

– View your documents’ revision history View your documents’ revision history and roll back to any version. and roll back to any version.

– Publish documents online to the world, Publish documents online to the world, as web pages or post documents to your as web pages or post documents to your blog.blog.

– Download documents to your desktop as Download documents to your desktop as Word, OpenOffice, RTF, PDF, HTML, or Word, OpenOffice, RTF, PDF, HTML, or zip.zip.

– Email your documents out as Email your documents out as attachments (Google, 2011, p.1)attachments (Google, 2011, p.1)


SpreadsheetsSpreadsheets– Import and convert .xls, .csv, .txt, and Import and convert .xls, .csv, .txt, and

.ods formatted data..ods formatted data.– Export .xls, .csv, .txt, and .ods Export .xls, .csv, .txt, and .ods

formatted data and PDF and HTML formatted data and PDF and HTML files.files.

– Use formatting and formula editing so Use formatting and formula editing so you can calculate results and make you can calculate results and make your data look the way you want it.your data look the way you want it.

– Chat in real time with others who are Chat in real time with others who are editing your spreadsheet.editing your spreadsheet.

– Create charts and gadgets.Create charts and gadgets.– Embed a spreadsheet, or individual Embed a spreadsheet, or individual

sheets of your spreadsheet, in your sheets of your spreadsheet, in your blog or website (Google, 2011, pp. 1-blog or website (Google, 2011, pp. 1-2).2).


PresentationsPresentations– Share and edit presentations with Share and edit presentations with

your friends and coworkers.your friends and coworkers.– Import and convert existing Import and convert existing

presentations in .ppt and .pps file presentations in .ppt and .pps file types.types.

– Download your presentations as a Download your presentations as a PDF, a PPT, or a TXT file.PDF, a PPT, or a TXT file.

– Easily edit your presentations.Easily edit your presentations.– Insert images in videos, and format Insert images in videos, and format

your slides to fit your preferences.your slides to fit your preferences.– Allow real time viewing of your Allow real time viewing of your

presentations, online, from presentations, online, from separate remote locations.separate remote locations.

– Publish and embed your Publish and embed your presentations in the website, presentations in the website, allowing access to a wide audienceallowing access to a wide audience

(Google, 2011, pp. 1-2).(Google, 2011, pp. 1-2).

The Innovation-Decision ProcessThe Innovation-Decision Process

KnowledgeKnowledge– Google Apps users had Google Apps users had

knowledge of Google knowledge of Google Docs on February, Docs on February, 2007. 2007.

– Google Docs introduced Google Docs introduced their new feature of the their new feature of the presentation program presentation program product on September, product on September, 2007.2007.


PersuasionPersuasion– Google started testing their latest site Google started testing their latest site

docs.google.com on January, 2011 to docs.google.com on January, 2011 to advertise their benefits to potential advertise their benefits to potential adopters: adopters:

– Potential adopters could access Potential adopters could access documents, spreadsheets, and documents, spreadsheets, and presentations without going to various presentations without going to various sites or using separate software. sites or using separate software.

– Potential adopters could also access Potential adopters could also access their documents, spreadsheets, and their documents, spreadsheets, and presentations anywhere they can find presentations anywhere they can find Internet connection. Internet connection.

– Potential adopters can share their Potential adopters can share their documents, spreadsheets, and documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with others.presentations with others.

– Potential adopters can engage in Potential adopters can engage in collaborative activity using Google Docs collaborative activity using Google Docs to allow group members to co-create, to allow group members to co-create, co-edit, chat, and present knowledge.co-edit, chat, and present knowledge.


DecisionDecision– Bojanova and Pang (2010) Bojanova and Pang (2010)

developed an study developed an study regarding the use of various regarding the use of various Web 2.0 and 3.0 technology Web 2.0 and 3.0 technology to enhance graduate level to enhance graduate level courses and engage courses and engage graduate students. They graduate students. They selected Google Docs, selected Google Docs, “because of its collaborative “because of its collaborative features” (p. 229), and found features” (p. 229), and found that 68% of their that 68% of their respondents preferred using respondents preferred using Google Docs for the reasons Google Docs for the reasons the researchers chose to the researchers chose to implement the software. implement the software.


ImplementationImplementation– ““Students seem to prefer the Students seem to prefer the

multiple editing capabilities multiple editing capabilities of the Google system” of the Google system” (Rienzo & Han, 2009, p. (Rienzo & Han, 2009, p. 125). The adopters of this 125). The adopters of this innovation prefer this innovation prefer this software to its competitors software to its competitors due to the “simultaneous due to the “simultaneous editing capabilities of Google editing capabilities of Google docs and the more versatile docs and the more versatile organizational possibilities of organizational possibilities of the Google system” (Rienzo the Google system” (Rienzo & Han, 2009, p. 125).& Han, 2009, p. 125).

Communication ChannelsCommunication Channels

Internet Communication Internet Communication ChannelChannel– Google Docs is cloud Google Docs is cloud

computing software that is computing software that is available online and as such, available online and as such, the Internet is a major the Internet is a major communication channel. communication channel. Bradley (2010) commented Bradley (2010) commented that, “Google is virtually that, “Google is virtually synonymous with the Web synonymous with the Web and thus has the advantage and thus has the advantage when it comes to online when it comes to online collaboration. collaboration.

Communication ChannelsCommunication Channels

Interpersonal ChannelsInterpersonal Channels– Since the software is used for Since the software is used for

business and educational purposes, business and educational purposes, interpersonal communication interpersonal communication channels, both local and channels, both local and cosmopolite are factors in the cosmopolite are factors in the spread of the benefits of this spread of the benefits of this innovation. Jensen (2010) wrote innovation. Jensen (2010) wrote about how she touted the benefits about how she touted the benefits of Google Docs to colleagues and of Google Docs to colleagues and students and influenced the learning students and influenced the learning community to adopt the innovation community to adopt the innovation with great success. Jensen (2010) with great success. Jensen (2010) trained some students to use the trained some students to use the software for a project and after software for a project and after completion of the project, she completion of the project, she interviewed the students. interviewed the students.

Slide 17:Slide 17: Communication Communication ChannelsChannels

Line 1:Line 1: Interpersonal ChannelsInterpersonal Channels– Jensen (2010) shared, “None had heard of Jensen (2010) shared, “None had heard of

Google Docs before their teacher and I Google Docs before their teacher and I introduced it in class. Students liked Google introduced it in class. Students liked Google Docs better than trying to use email or flash Docs better than trying to use email or flash drive. All of the students felt that it was a very drive. All of the students felt that it was a very useful tool and could see themselves using it in useful tool and could see themselves using it in the future” (p. 53).the future” (p. 53).

Innovation-Decision ProcessInnovation-Decision Process

The Confirmation StageThe Confirmation Stage– Jensen (2010) added, “Over all, we Jensen (2010) added, “Over all, we

are very impressed with Google are very impressed with Google Docs. It saves time and headaches Docs. It saves time and headaches for all of us (teachers, students, for all of us (teachers, students, myself included). I have requested myself included). I have requested that my school district sign up for that my school district sign up for Google for Schools” (p. 53).Google for Schools” (p. 53).

– In this situation the early In this situation the early adopter/change agent introduced, adopter/change agent introduced, taught, and persuaded other taught, and persuaded other teachers and students to adopt the teachers and students to adopt the innovation. The adopter decided to innovation. The adopter decided to continue use of the innovation over continue use of the innovation over time, and also recommended that time, and also recommended that her school district, a large decision-her school district, a large decision-making unit, adopt the innovation as making unit, adopt the innovation as well. well.

Rate of AdoptionRate of Adoption

Adopter CategoriesAdopter Categories

InnovatorsInnovators– Innovators of Google Docs might be Innovators of Google Docs might be

educational specialists and media educational specialists and media specialists. These individuals have more specialists. These individuals have more cosmopolite networks and attend cosmopolite networks and attend conferences and seminars outside of conferences and seminars outside of their local school districts where they their local school districts where they would learn of the innovation. As would learn of the innovation. As gatekeepers of the flow of new ideas into gatekeepers of the flow of new ideas into their local school districts, they would their local school districts, they would introduce the innovation to the teachers introduce the innovation to the teachers in their schools (Rogers, 2003).in their schools (Rogers, 2003).

– Least resistance would be an effective Least resistance would be an effective strategy for this group, since change strategy for this group, since change agents could impress these agents could impress these professionals with the ease, flexibility, professionals with the ease, flexibility, and no cost option of Google Docs and and no cost option of Google Docs and rely on the innovators to release the rely on the innovators to release the innovation in their local school districts innovation in their local school districts (Rogers, 2003).(Rogers, 2003).


Early AdoptersEarly Adopters– Early adopters would be instructors who Early adopters would be instructors who

use technology in the classroom to use technology in the classroom to enhance their pedagogical styles and enhance their pedagogical styles and engage learners. These individuals would engage learners. These individuals would learn of the innovation through learn of the innovation through interpersonal communication networks interpersonal communication networks that consist of tech savvy faculty from that consist of tech savvy faculty from their school and local districts. These their school and local districts. These individuals would receive training to use individuals would receive training to use the technology in their local areas. The the technology in their local areas. The adoption of the innovation by these early adoption of the innovation by these early adopters would trigger adoption by their adopters would trigger adoption by their colleagues and cohorts as they are colleagues and cohorts as they are respected individuals known for adopting respected individuals known for adopting effective best practice methods in the effective best practice methods in the classroom (Rogers, 2003).classroom (Rogers, 2003).

– These adopters would be most persuaded These adopters would be most persuaded by their networks to adopt the innovation- by their networks to adopt the innovation- “diffusion is a social process with an “diffusion is a social process with an innovation moving through interpersonal innovation moving through interpersonal networks” (Rogers, 2003, p. 297).networks” (Rogers, 2003, p. 297).


LaggardsLaggards– The individuals most likely to reject The individuals most likely to reject

this innovation would be teachers this innovation would be teachers who do not trust the ‘open’ nature of who do not trust the ‘open’ nature of Google Docs and feel that the Google Docs and feel that the application may not be secure application may not be secure enough for use. These instructors enough for use. These instructors may feel that the innovation has no may feel that the innovation has no relative advantage over the relative advantage over the Microsoft Office suite. Microsoft Office suite.

– The strategy of greatest resistance The strategy of greatest resistance could be used with this could be used with this demographic, by targeting these demographic, by targeting these rejectors specifically through local rejectors specifically through local seminars and workshops designed seminars and workshops designed to illustrate the many benefits of the to illustrate the many benefits of the innovation at no cost to the user.innovation at no cost to the user.

Perceived Attributes Perceived Attributes – Google Docs is characterized by certain Google Docs is characterized by certain

perceived attributes that could help the perceived attributes that could help the innovation meet critical mass in the realm of innovation meet critical mass in the realm of education. The relative advantages of Google education. The relative advantages of Google Docs is that it is free to users; it possesses Docs is that it is free to users; it possesses interoperability in that the software supports other interoperability in that the software supports other formats; the software supports multiple browsers- formats; the software supports multiple browsers- Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Google Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, and Google Chrome; and the program affords and facilitates Chrome; and the program affords and facilitates collaboration as it allows users to share, edit, collaboration as it allows users to share, edit, publish, and therefore co-create knowledge publish, and therefore co-create knowledge (Lynn, 2009).(Lynn, 2009).

– These advantages render Google Docs These advantages render Google Docs compatible with the needs of the instructor who compatible with the needs of the instructor who desires to build and maintain a 21desires to build and maintain a 21stst century century classroom where activities are designed to be classroom where activities are designed to be engaging, enthralling, and to meet the needs of a engaging, enthralling, and to meet the needs of a diverse learner population. The innovation is diverse learner population. The innovation is relatively simple to use, and its online relatively simple to use, and its online accessibility gives it trialability and observability. accessibility gives it trialability and observability. It is easy to observe one’s cohorts utilizing It is easy to observe one’s cohorts utilizing Google Docs in their classroom and it is simple to Google Docs in their classroom and it is simple to try it one’s own classroom to get a feel for the try it one’s own classroom to get a feel for the program and its usefulness for creating, editing, program and its usefulness for creating, editing, and publishing collaborative learning projects.and publishing collaborative learning projects.

Centralized and Decentralized Diffusion SystemCentralized and Decentralized Diffusion System

– I believe that a combination of a I believe that a combination of a centralized and decentralized centralized and decentralized diffusion process best suits this diffusion process best suits this innovation. Teachers who can innovation. Teachers who can benefit from the adoption of Google benefit from the adoption of Google Docs are a relatively homogenous Docs are a relatively homogenous group in terms of their needs. The group in terms of their needs. The innovation can influence pedagogy innovation can influence pedagogy by facilitating collaborative group by facilitating collaborative group activities. The innovation is also not activities. The innovation is also not a technologically complicated to a technologically complicated to use, however, it would be useful to use, however, it would be useful to have training and exposure to the have training and exposure to the product from a technical expert who product from a technical expert who can show the teachers all that the can show the teachers all that the innovation could contribute to the innovation could contribute to the practice of teaching and learning.practice of teaching and learning.

The Roles of Key Change Agents The Roles of Key Change Agents in the Diffusion Processin the Diffusion Process

– Key change agents in the diffusion of Key change agents in the diffusion of Google Docs could be the school’s Google Docs could be the school’s Media Specialist or Educational Media Specialist or Educational Technologist. These experts would Technologist. These experts would assume the roles of the change agent assume the roles of the change agent which reflect:which reflect:

– Building an information exchange Building an information exchange relationship where the change agent relationship where the change agent supplies adequate information about how supplies adequate information about how Google Docs would suit teachers’ needs Google Docs would suit teachers’ needs and solve problems they may be and solve problems they may be experiencing in the classroom regarding experiencing in the classroom regarding facilitating collaboration.facilitating collaboration.

– Motivating the teachers to develop a Motivating the teachers to develop a desire to learn more about Google Docs desire to learn more about Google Docs and they ways in which the innovation and they ways in which the innovation could influence pedagogy.could influence pedagogy.

– Assisting teachers in translating their Assisting teachers in translating their desires into action. (Rogers, 2003).desires into action. (Rogers, 2003).

Critical MassCritical Mass

– The slight S-Curve The slight S-Curve indicates that Google indicates that Google Docs would have Docs would have achieved critical mass achieved critical mass somewhere around somewhere around 320,000 users. 320,000 users.

References:References:– Bojanova, I., & Pang, L. (2010). Enhancing graduate courses through creative application of Bojanova, I., & Pang, L. (2010). Enhancing graduate courses through creative application of

cutting edge technologies. cutting edge technologies. International Journal of Learning, 17International Journal of Learning, 17(3), 225-240.(3), 225-240.

– Bradley, T. (September, 2010). Collaborate in real time with Google docs. PC World, 28(9), 30-Bradley, T. (September, 2010). Collaborate in real time with Google docs. PC World, 28(9), 30-30.30.

– Google. (2011). Google docs basics. Retrieved from Google. (2011). Google docs basics. Retrieved from http://http://docs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answerdocs.google.com/support/bin/answer.py?answer=49008&hl==49008&hl=en_USen_US

– Jensen, T. (May/June, 2010). No student email at school? Google docs to the rescue! Library Jensen, T. (May/June, 2010). No student email at school? Google docs to the rescue! Library Media Connection, 28(6), 52-53.Media Connection, 28(6), 52-53.

– Lynn, S. (November, 2009). Lynn, S. (November, 2009). Microsoft office Web apps vs. Google Docs. Retrieved from Microsoft office Web apps vs. Google Docs. Retrieved from http://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/221601298/microsoft-office-web-apps-vs-google-docs.http://www.crn.com/news/applications-os/221601298/microsoft-office-web-apps-vs-google-docs.htm;jsessionid=qyuItYhPmOqR1N+WQXTFvA**.ecappj01htm;jsessionid=qyuItYhPmOqR1N+WQXTFvA**.ecappj01

– Rienzo, T, & Han, B. (2009). Microsoft or google Web 2.0 tools for course management. Rienzo, T, & Han, B. (2009). Microsoft or google Web 2.0 tools for course management. Journal Journal of Information Systems Education, 20of Information Systems Education, 20(2), 123-127.(2), 123-127.

– Rogers, E. M. (2003). Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations. Diffusion of innovations. New York, NY: Free Press.New York, NY: Free Press.

– Schonfeld, E. (December, 2007). Google spreadsheets edges out google docs in usage. Schonfeld, E. (December, 2007). Google spreadsheets edges out google docs in usage. Retrieved from Retrieved from http://techcrunch.com/2007/12/07/google-spreadsheets-edges-out-google-docs-in-usage/http://techcrunch.com/2007/12/07/google-spreadsheets-edges-out-google-docs-in-usage/

– Wikipedia. (2011). Google docs. Retrieved from Wikipedia. (2011). Google docs. Retrieved from http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Docsen.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Docs

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