Google Drive is a free file storage system created by Google. Google Drive saves various files to the cloud so you access them from your smartphone, tablet, or computer. You can store documents, images, or videos. The program makes it easy to transfer files from one device to another without having to email them to yourself. It also lets you share documents with others and will make sure your files are safe if your computer stops working.
How to use Google Drive
To start using Google Drive you will first need to create a Gmail account if you do not already have one. To do this simply google Gmail and click on “sign up”. From there, you will pick a username and password to access your free account. Once you have your account, you can access all of the Google apps, such as Google Drive, by clicking on the icon that looks like a box of little squares in the upper right hand corner. When clicking this button you will be given a drop down menu of multpile apps that you can access with your account. The Google Drive app is in the last column third down and looks like a green, yellow, blue triangle. Clicking on the icon will take you to your Google Drive homepage. You are then able see your drive. On your homepage your most recently viewed files will be shown. To see files shared with you navigate to the left side of the page and click "shared with me". To create a new file click the drop down arrow beside of "My Drive" and a list of options will be given to you.
Google Drive in the Classroom
For teachers, it can be hard to keep all your files in one place between working on your school laptop and your personal one. By using Google Drive you will always have instant access to your files no matter what computer you are on. Students can also turn in their online work with you via Google Drive, which limits paper use. Students working in group projects can use Google Drive to share their presentations, so they can collaborate outside of the classroom. Another cool feature Google Drive offers is Google Forms. Teachers can use Google Forms in the classroom to survey the classes confidence level on a topic, or to allow them to give feedback on teaching styles. Google Forms can be anonymous or not.
Advantages of Google Drive
One of the biggest advantages of Google Drive is that it is free to use. Google Drive is also available for use on all devices, Microsoft Windows, Android, or Mac. With Google Drive being so universal and free everyone can have access to this program. Google Drive also makes sharing files with others simple and easy to do. Sharing your files with others can allow people to give you feedback on your work and leave comments if you turn that feature on. This allows people to collaborate together from anywhere.
Disadvantages of Google Drive
Some disadvantages of Google Drive is that you must have internet connection in order to see real time updates or save your work. You can also only upload files no larger than 5 TB. Another disadvantage for some people is that once you share a file with someone it is not longer private. The person you shared your file with can share it with whoever they want and there is nothing you can do to change that.
Personal Experiences with Google Drive
I personally have been using Google Drive since high school because every student had a Chromebook. All of the teachers had a Google Classroom page where they posted announcements and assignments and we would turn in our work with Google Drive. Whenever I was in a group project we would work on it together by sharing the presentation via Google Drive. Now that I am in college I still participate in group projects by using Google Drive. This program makes collaboration and sharing easy to do. Outside of school I have used Google Drive to share large picture files from formals or proms. Sharing large picture files through Google Drive is easier than trying to email or text the photos. I would highly recommend this program to anyone.
References
Ciccarelli, D. (2019, January 1). Google Drive Review: Everything You Need to Know. Retrieved from https://www.goskills.com/Office-Productivity/Articles/Google-Drive-features-review
Create your Google Account. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://accounts.google.com/signup/v2/webcreateaccount?flowName=GlifWebSignIn&flowEntry=SignUp
Gildred, J., Andita, Ebbers, L., Daniel, Boss, F., J., … Canelo Forum. (2018, July 11). What Is Google Drive and How Does it Work? A 2020 Step-by-Step Guide. Retrieved from https://www.cloudwards.net/how-does-google-drive-work/
Hoong, A. L. (2019, December 12). Advantages and Disadvantages of Google Drive: Blogging WP. Retrieved from https://www.bloggingwp.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-google-drive/
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