Since accessibility, consistent formatting, and a smooth user experience is essential for effective online learning, CIC recommends avoiding the use of dynamic documents like Google Docs in course content.

Accessibility 

Build content in My Courses to ensure students can use screen readers and other assistive technologies effectively. Google Docs lacks some key accessibility functions that may interfere with these. Use CSP branded templates and the html accessibility checker to help ensure course content is accessible for students. 

User Experience

Many students use the My Courses app (Pulse). Clicking on a Google Doc in the app forces them out of Pulse and creates unnecessary complexities like having to download and login to Google Drive and Google Docs on their device. 

Access 

When the owner of a Google Doc is unavailable, the maintenance of (and access to) the doc can become difficult. If the doc is deleted by the owner, the content can be permanently lost. Additionally, if student's need to be given access to a document that isn’t owned by the instructor, it can become difficult to reach the document owner to resolve the issue in a timely manner. If permissions are not set correctly when the primary course is copied, a Google Doc may not work in the section it was copied into, causing confusion for students and instructors.