Megan Mowrer (mreed)

When I was first introduced to the many applications of G-Suite, I didn't really fathom the depth of its abilities. In fact, even today, as a user of all things Google, I still find myself in awe of its convenience. It took some time, but once I realized how organized I could become, how fast I could update Sheets, Docs, Slides, in real time and work in conjunction with someone on documents, I was sold. The accessibility factor alone is something I tap into on a daily basis. For instance, today I found some errors and I wanted to update some links on a rubric all of my classes had on their Chromebooks. I quickly hopped into it, edited and felt confident they all had the latest and improved version. I love that Google Forms is a quick shared form I can watch update itself as students complete surveys and then that data pours into a spreadsheet. Lastly, my Drive. How I love it. I keep it organized, I can share one folder or more with multiple people. One quick search in our Faculty drive with keywords and I can find a multitude of documents and see a picture of it too, without even opening it! This opposed to having to remember where I saw something in an email or where it was saved last, well it just saves me time and frustration!  Lastly, two other great positives to G-Suite are a) G-Suite is free versus the rather expensive Microsoft and b) I can use my Google Log in in various other applications and not develop other usernames and passwords.

When I use Microsoft Word, Power Point or Excel today, I struggle adapting back to their formats. Additionally, it feels slower to me. However, in comparison I do find that Power Points are easier to put together than Google Slides, almost as though Power Points are more intuitive to what you want to do versus Slides. I also find that Excel is organized better, I sometimes move faster with the formulas in Excel and have to google shortcuts for Google Sheets. Lastly, G-Suite is completely Web/Internet based, so if you find yourself without an Internet Connection and do not know how to operate G-Suite offline, you could be in trouble.

Because some of the shortcuts in Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides are different than what I know from Microsoft, I can Google or I can ask my students. Some, not all, are very proficient with all the applications of the G-Suite. In terms of 21st Century, I think teaching our students to proficiently use G-Suite is the correct outlet for greater technology understanding and skill mastery. Small things like organizing their drives, naming documents instead of letting there be fifty "untitled" documents in their drives, and navigating through the many shortcuts G-Suite offers are all important steps in helping them increase their proficiency with this form of technology. Although I do not believe the Microsoft Suite is a thing of the past it also has not been as quick with advancing to the 21st century, thus Google has taken the lead and so far appears to be the superior application in the Education Field.


Jaclyn Middleton (jmiddleton1)

              I graduated from high school in 2005 and received my bachelors in 2009. Google launched their beta version of google docs in 2006 (Engadget Is Part of the Yahoo Family of Brands, n.d.), meaning this was definitely new to the education forefront in my peak time of learning and certainly not the “preferred” method to use for assignments.  I have had the ability to experience both the very established Microsoft Suite as well as the ability to watch Google suite evolve.

              From the perspective of comfortability, I tend to prefer Microsoft.  Since these are programs I grew up using (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) there is a certain ease in using these programs and also the feeling of reliability.  I have used them countless times and feel capable of trouble shooting most issues on my own or being able to adequately navigate the programs to find the answer I am looking for.  Another benefit to Microsoft is larger variability of template availability.  While Google Docs is adding templates to their repertoire, they are not yet as diverse or widespread as the templates available on Microsoft Word. Similarly with Microsoft Excel, the user has a much wider choice in types of charts to use on their spreadsheet, versus Google Sheets.  Overall, I feel that Microsoft Suite offers more “bells and whistles” from the perspective of templates and other enhancement options.

              After reading the above, one could assume I am very pro team Microsoft; however, Google Suite offers something beyond the bells and whistles of productivity.  The connectivity aspect of Google Suite is its huge advantage, and one that in today’s world, is so very important.  The ease in which you can share and edit with team members and collaborators makes Google Suite outshine Microsoft Suite in the area of collaboration.  The ease of accessibility is also a huge checkmark for Google Suite.  I am able to access these programs through my cell phone, with ease, where oftentimes for Microsoft documents, I need to be on a computer to adequately view the file.

              In terms of which program I am most likely to use for my own personal use?  It would depend on whether or not I need to share it with colleagues or need it viewed quickly by others.  If so, I would turn to Google Suite, however if it were for my own personal use (such as my monthly budget), I am more likely to choose Microsoft as I can be a creature of habit.  I definitely feel that I am still “learning” all that Google Suite has to offer and in doing so, it can sometimes be more time consuming to use those programs.  However, if we are discussing which suite would be more imperative to teach children from this point forward, I do feel that Google takes the upper hand.  In today’s world we are collaborating more than others and we are more electronically dependent than ever before., due to the ease of sharing and editing as well as the ability to access easier from various devices, I feel that Google Suite will be the dominant choice in the future and eventually Microsoft will be something of the past.

 

 

 

Engadget is part of the Yahoo family of brands. (n.d.). https://www.engadget.com/google-docs-turns-15-190050626.html


Julia Teter (jteter)

Microsoft Office includes word, excel, PowerPoint, teams, outlook, OneDrive applications. They have different options to choose from, each varying in prices. The options are personal and family, business, education, and enterprise. I find this is more complicated and some companies are only using parts of this and using something else for everything else. An example of this is the company my dad works for only uses the audio part of Microsoft teams. I have used it in the past for virtual school but there were always some tech issues with it.


Google Suite includes many more options, all available at the low cost of $0. The most common applications that we use and are aware of are gmail, google drive, google docs, google forms, google slides, maps, google meet, google classroom, google sheets, google translate, google, and many more. I would say it is easier to collaborate and share assignments like we are doing currently. I personally have never used google classroom but I have heard good things about it. You can use your google log-in for multiple things instead of always putting it in. You can have all your files available offline to better support your busy lifestyle and better prepare you for any situations.



I’ll be honest, I have used both for as long as I can remember. Some of my classes would require that we use Microsoft for papers and projects while others encouraged and promoted us to use google applications to easily collaborate and share with one another.  When I started this course I didn’t realize how many applications there were on the Google Suite because I have only really used maybe 6 of the applications. From doing the skills inventory, I am finding myself learning more information about the applications and ways I could use them to my advantage. I am finding that I spend less time on these applications and communicating with others on the same project when using Google applications over Microsoft Office applications. The accessibility is so much easier to follow then Microsoft because sometimes if you download a file, you only download a viewable file and not an editable one, it just takes more time. Drive is my favorite part of Google Suite because it allows me to keep everything organized and in neat piles versus Microsoft and it is all chaotic. It allows me to share individual documents, presentations, or folders with anyone as long as I have an email. 


Any of the applications from the Microsoft Office seem to be outdated and can’t keep up with all the updates and the ever changing ways of the society. It feels much slower and sometimes, it won’t even load for me so I end up restarting my whole computer which takes time away from me to complete activities and work. Microsoft is tough because you won’t be able to work on anything if you have no internet connection. 


To be honest, I feel like Microsoft Office is slowly being phased out while Google Suite is becoming more commonplace and a favorite amongst many educators due to the ease of access and way to collaborate with others on your team and even with your own students. Google Suites make it more accessible for all to use and navigate and give them the option to work offline allowing everyone to follow their own timetable. I believe the Google Suites have been much easier for students and adults alike to learn and use compared to Microsoft Office. I personally would turn to Google Suites because it is more accessible, allows me to be more organized (know where to find all files), promote and encourage collaboration amongst all, and it is much easier to use.



Michelle Belk (mbelk)

Compare the Microsoft Suite of applications with the Google Suite of applications. Are you team Microsoft or team Google? 

In terms of the user experience, describe what you like and dislike about both. In terms of preparing your students for the workplace someday and cultivating 21st century skills, which would you turn to and why?

 

Gone are the times of purchasing a software disc to upload onto your computer and having to purchase and replace it whenever a new version was released. Both Google and Microsoft are subscription-based services that offer monthly subscriptions with options to pay annually. I currently use both platforms, Microsoft on an annual subscription basis where I download the software to my computer whenever updates are required. Google I am able to use for free currently and it specifically web based. Both platforms can also be connected to your email, on multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer etc.) and they both work on IOS and Android.

 

Thinking about the user experience for me is split into two different thoughts: convenience and ease of use. Growing up through the advancement of technology taught me proficiency in Microsoft everything. Throughout schooling, I was using all applications offered by Microsoft to write papers, create presentations, and practice equations in excel spreadsheets. I find Microsoft easy to navigate and use because I have years of practice. I also think that any preference I have towards Microsoft stems from it being the only available and dependable programming for such a long time. One downside of using Microsoft through my email and sharing, is I find that documents don’t always scale correcting if they are web based versus downloaded. This can be annoying if I am trying to quickly edit a document on share-point and return to a co-worker. The process of needing to download the doc, edit and upload again isn’t difficult but can be time consuming and therefore not as user-friendly.

 

 In comparison, I also find Google’s applications incredibly easy to navigate and use. I actually wasn’t aware that Google Docs and Spreadsheet has been available since 2006. I did not really start using it until I returned to IU for this program but in learning how to use Google’s resources, I didn’t find myself stumped or struggling to keep up with its tooling (a quick google search was always helpful as well). Since being back in school I would say that Google has gotten a leg up on Microsoft for two reasons. The first being the pandemic, I think that shareability for documents and files through google is much more fluid, plus they offer a video meeting platform that is easy to use. Second, this goes along with shareability is multi-person editing. I really like that when I am on a google doc with peers, I can see who is accessing the document in real time, review edit history and I find the comment sections much more user friendly. I like that I don’t have to download the documents and can be editing and auto-saving in real time with co-workers and peers. One necessary feature but sometimes hinderance is the access feature. I like being able to provide an access link or have my documents available to anyone but sometimes I forget that permissions need to be given. This has been a hinderance if I am in the middle of presenting information on a different desktop that I am not logged into or if I provided the link to a co-worker but not permission too. A small annoyance but certainly not a big enough problem to stop me from using the platform.

 

When it comes to considering which platform I would teach to students, I would ultimately side with Google. I think that Google has an ease of use because they started out their program with web-based use in mind. Microsoft had to get there, it was not their initial intent and therefore I think they will always be catching up to Google and their standards. Google is always forward thinking and expanding and that includes more than just their suites (nest security, music/movie subscriptions etc.). With Google’s innovative capacity and mindset, I think that they will continue to expand what they offer and it will all be interconnected as it has from the onset, making it the perfect choice for students to learn about because it will likely be what they continue to use in the future.

 

References

 

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3515808/g-suite-vs-office-365-whats-the-best-office-suite-for-business.html


Erik Hollingsworth (ehollingsworth)

Compare the Microsoft Suite of applications with the Google Suite of applications. Are you team Microsoft or team Google? 

In terms of the user experience, describe what you like and dislike about both. In terms of preparing your students for the workplace someday and cultivating 21st century skills, which would you turn to and why?

To be very honest, I cannot recall the last time I used Microsoft.  However, there was a time when Microsoft was ll that I knew.  Even when Google Docs started to be more commonplace in education.  I was still hammering away on Microsoft Word.  

As was recently posted by my peers on this forum, the purchasing of Microsoft and downloading it to a computer was very common.  It then seemed as if you wanted something new, or updated, you would have to get the updated version of Microsoft.  I even go back to an alternative school that I got in on the ground floor of in Norristown.  We were the teachers, bus drivers, food service people and technology department all wrapped up in one.  I remember one summer when the founder of the school purchased laptops for the students, I was the one downloading each laptop with the software.  Taking the disc, putting it in the laptop, punching in a few codes and waiting for the downloads to happen.  Did this multiple times. Seems like ancient news, but a memory that has been kicked up with his post.  And who hasn't remembered to save what they just spent hours typing? Or typing in a thunderstorm and hitting thew save button every 5 minutes because you are afraid to lose power.  And then there was the sending documents via email.  I always used to tell my students, "Send it to me in an attachment."  (many essays sent right in the email).  

At least this is how I remember it.  Then again, it has probably been a very long time since I last used Microsoft.  And as much as I liked it back then, I am ok without it.  

I suspect I am definitely Team Google.  It just seems to be the thing that I use and what most people use.  Sharing documents with multiple people just seems to work.  If anyone in this class are parents of kids who are involved in some type of sport, club or group, then I am sure we have all experienced the "sign-up sheet" so that we don't all bring the same thing. When I first was sent this "shared document"  before some wrestling tournament for my boys, I thought it was the coolest thing ever.  Until everyone signed up to bring the easy stuff and we were left with making the potato salad.  But to me, that was my first experience with Google Docs.  

I am not an expert on Google.  But I do enjoy the ability to create a quick Google Form and send it to a regular education teacher to gather the "all valid data" that us special education teachers covet ;) But it is nice to share this quickly and get some type of pie graph or percentage spit out so that we can quickly add it to the next 50 page document that we are creating.  

In all honestly, Google has probably saved me a lot of time and aggravation over the last few years.  It seems to be efficient.  I like the fact that I can log on from any device of mine and work on a document.  I even use this at football for my offensive lineman who are trying to learn their blocking rules.  It is right on my phone, which is right on my google drive.  I have referenced this many times.  

As far as preparing my students and cultivating them for the 21st century workplace, I feel that I am a long way from that.  Many (probably half) of my students do not bring their laptops to school or have lost their charger or have broken their laptop and are out of their free- one time fix.  I feel like I have reverted backwards at my new school.  I still post, as I do have some kids do the work online, but I am creating more worksheets than I want to.  But I am happy to get my kids working and thinking, so I will take it anyway I can get it.  But I am very confident that they are products of Google themselves.  

Stephen Norris (snorris)

Cats or dogs? Apple or Spotify? Christmas songs before or after December? These are just some of the polarizing debates that have divided households and left dinner tables a smoldering wreckage. Yet, there might be one that will newly enter the pantheon of contentious topics: Microsoft or Google Suites? There are many schools of thought in this important battleground, yet I believe that there should be one team to rule them all: team Google.

Now, full disclosure: I have been using Google Apps for Education for quite some time; it has been the driving educational app for my classes for the last seven years. It has been utilized in every school I have taught at, which makes a fair amount of sense: it is the most commonly used LMS between the two. I truly embrace the organization with Google, particularly with Drive. With Drive, it is very easy to find documents and organize in schematic ways that benefit the user. Students are also able to have the same ability, which truly aids in the one executive functioning aspect that seems to plague all students: organization. It gives students autonomy to truly learn to their best abilities. More importantly, the collaboration that Google encourages is fantastic. Educators (and students) can access shared documents and folders, allowing great interdisciplinary planning and group work amongst teachers and students, respectively. Microsoft 365 gives a valiant effort, but it cannot hold a candle to Google. In the classic Dr. Jack Ramsay way, Google 1, Microsoft 0.

Next on the docket: email. For WCASD, we use Microsoft Outlook. And it is the bane of my existence. It is difficult to organize emails, find deleted emails, and use on mobile devices. For this reason, to quote Shark Tank, I'm out. GMail is very easy to use, friendly to those who are a bit particular about how emails, contacts, and folders are structured, and way more accessible on a mobile device. If the first was a landslide, you might as well call this one an avalanche. Dos a cero.

For my students, I would strongly recommend Google. The skills that are necessary to be successful in the 21st century are transferrable from Google to Microsoft 365. Particularly Sheets to Excel. In the past, I would have argued that most students need to be literate in Microsoft applications. However, times have changed. Google has been on the cutting edge of educational innovation, utilizing applications and add-ons which enhance the Google Suite experience. Microsoft is still in the proverbial dial-up phase (past discussion post plug!). My students love working together with Google Docs and Slides. They create fantastic authentic assessments and group projects which make our class room far more vibrant. Students communicate far more effectively on Gmail. They build valuable skills through the Google Suites, which, again, is the most commonly used app for educational systems. From crafting a resume to arranging study materials in a convenient manner, Google Suites is the preferred method. Don't believe me? Just Google it!

Arleen Parker (aparker4)

Compare the Microsoft Suite of applications with the Google Suite of applications. Are you team Microsoft or team Google? 

In terms of the user experience, describe what you like and dislike about both. In terms of preparing your students for the workplace someday and cultivating 21st century skills, which would you turn to and why?

This weeks discussion is tough.  I almost feel like I am both team Microsoft and team Google.

I learned a long time ago with Microsoft and am very comfortable with Word, Excel and Power Point. And for many of us who have been using MIcrosoft for decades it is tough to make a change. A few years ago - when time was short and I needed to get things done quickly, I went to my comfort zone.  I have on my school computer so many documents for each of the different topics that I teach from over the years.  The draw back was that I could not access them from home, unless I was smart enough to have transferred a copy to a thumb drive and brought it home.  Then if I worked on the document at home, I had to save it back to the thumb drive and bring it back to school and upload back to my computer.  I can't tell you how many thumb drives I have hanging around the house and in my desk drawer.

Then I was introduced to the Google Suites at school.  I struggled for a while with Google docs working at home.  My internet was not the greatest and it certainly did not like Google.  Trying to work off line was complicated and I had to make sure that I uploaded online after if I wanted to have access to that document I was working off line on.   Then I found Microsoft online and that was so much easier for me and I did a lot of my work and saved it on my Onedrive.  I was able to access the documents at school and home and I did not need a thumb drive.

As our school transitioned more and more to Google and Google Classroom, and then going online for a while - my learning curve for Google Suite took an upward jump.  I became more and more familiar with the programs.  And I like the integration of Google Classroom.  I can create an assignment and the student can complete it using Google Docs, slides or sheets and then submit it to me.  I have access to their completed assignment, can comment on the document and return it to the student.  I can also grade their assignments and the students have easy access to the feedback and grade. As a teacher I can also collaborate with my peers and I have created documents where there are 10 of us interacting and sharing information on the one document.

I still use both programs.  I find that I am slowly moving more to Google for all my documents, but still depend on my Onedrive for certain aspects of teaching.  The online textbook that I use for my World History class, when I download the editable presentation document with information on the chapter it is as a power point and I can add slides for the guided notes.  I have not figured out a way to convert this document to a Google Slide document.  But since I can download the power point into a PDF, I can then attach the document to the Google Classroom materials for the students to access. 

Back in the day it cost a lot of money to get Microsoft for your computer.  Cost is a factor in determining which to use.  As I have free access to both - that is not a factor for me, but can be for others.

With Microsoft you have to make sure you save your document periodically as you are working on it, just in case a problem occurs.  Google automatically saves your documents.

As for my students, I prefer to teach them to use the Google Suites.  It is easy for the students to add document work to assignments in Google Classroom.  They can create a document and collaborate.  Google Forms is another part of the extended family that I like to use with my students and I can see in the future Google adding more apps in the years to come.  Over a billion people use Gmail and the ease of integration with the Google Suites makes Google Suites the program of the future for our students. I see more and more schools using Google and expect the skills that are taught in the school will carry forward to the workplace. 

So while I have grown-up on Team Microsoft, as I work more with Team Google, I find myself doing more and more with Google.






Last modified: Monday, 14 November 2022, 3:50 PM