Top Four Features of Google Drive
1. Storage.
Google Drive is a great place to store your stuff. It's free and when you convert your files to the google equivalent then it won't matter if it was made on a Mac or PC. This was great for me when my district went from PC to Apple. This is also great when you want to share a file with someone but don't know if their computer is PC or Apple.
For most people the amount of storage space available on Google Drive is more than enough. However for us art teachers it's another story. With all my images, presentations, and videos I maxed out my Drive space pretty quickly. So now all my instructional video are stored on YouTube, and I only store basic office documents (word, presentations, spreadsheets). See video below for tips about keeping you storage space on Drive down.
2. Work from any computer.
Google has bridged the gap between PC, Mac, Table, and SmartPhones. Because their you are working online and using the Google programing your documents can be read and modified on all devices. Some devices such as smart-phones may make you download the app first, but again, it's all free.
3. Collaborate remotely.
When you create a document on Google Drive you have the option to share it with others. You can choose to allow other to modify and work on the document with you. This can also be done simultaneously. For example the music teacher and I were working on writing a grant together over winter break. Neither one of us wanted to leave our homes in the middle of blizzard, so we called each other and both got on the word document at the same time. See the videos below for a better explanation.
4. Forms!
I love Google Forms! It is a great way to create a survey or quiz online. Whenever you need to collect data Google Forms is the way to go. To create a survey, pick out a template, write your questions and choose how you want them answered (i.e. multiple choice, short answer, check all that apply, etc). Google Forms will automatically collect and organize all the information in an easy to read spreadsheet. It will also graph the data automatically for you as well, by simply clicking on the forms tab at the top on the screen and then select “Show summary of responses.” See video toutorial to see how this works.
Extra Features on Google Drive.
Google Forms Extended.
Giving a test or survey is super easy when using Google Forms. Now there is a new tool that will instantly grade your students results too. Flubaroo is an extension (like and extra tool) you can add to your Google Forms Here is a link to very detailed directions http://www.flubaroo.com/flubaroo-user-guide. It will show you how to set up a Google Form as a test and how to have it automatically graded.
Once you have your Google Forms test all set up and ready to go your students need to be able to quickly and easily access it. There are at least two great ways to do this. Click Here to learn more.
Templates for Google Drive
There are lots of temples that other people have made so before you reinvent to wheel (or the powerpoint) check to see if someone has already created a templet you can use. To access the templets click the Create button and choose one of the file types - Document, Presentation, Spreadsheet, Form or Drawing. Then click on File > New > From template. (if you choose Document, you will find templates that are in the document file format - if you choose presentation, you will find templates in the presentation format.
You can also browse all template by going to the template gallery https://drive.google.com/templates
Tip: Be sure to select English because this is a world wide wiki
Google Dive Add On Apps
There are lots of other tools that you can use on Google Drive and they are constantly updating more. To browse extra tools and extensions available in Google Drive click on the red New button then the last option is more, select more and then click of Connect More App. There are lots of education apps available, so explore what there is, add new things and enhance you Google Drive even more.
Other Great Resources
Expert VillageThis website has 40 video tutorials just on Google Docs. Browse through the topics and pick a few that interest you.
The Paperless Classroom Using Google Drive - This is an excellent step-by-step guide created by North Canton City Schools with some excellent tips and tricks for using Google Drive in the Classroom.
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