Google Docs Lesson 2

I teach a STEM class and one of our activities is to build a shelter while stranded on a tropical island. All three groups will use the same materials (12 three-meter long logs; one plane wing fragment 2.5 m x 5m; a six-meter length of rope and a bucket of mud approximately .5 cubic meter). I want the students to view and give constructive feedback on each others' design plans. Once the groups have completed their sketches, they will take a picture of their design and upload the image to GoogleDocs in the document files I have created for them. Students will preview, and constructively comment on all designs. Here is a sample

In reality this did not work at all, probably due to the fact that I did not prepare well from a technological standpoint. I invited the students to googledocs and many had to register (all were 13). Several students ran into issues registering. I labeled the googledocs files in a way that was confusing for the students so when a few did get to google docs they did not know where to go. I had one camera but the pictures were not very clear and the directions for downloading their photos was not helpful. Then the internet went down in the school. I stopped the process after 30 minutes of frustration. Next time I would send explicit directions along with the invite to googledocs. There were too many steps not to have each one clearly labeled in at least on place, like the invitation.