As a starting point, while Google applications are constantly evolving and adding new features, teachers can take advantage of the current tools that can be found in Google Drive. It is imperative to understand that while Google Drive can be accessible, namely via the Internet, it can also be synced on a computer and used offline. Now, what is Google Drive? Google Drive is a file storage and synchronization service created by Google. It allows users to store files in the Cloud, share files, and edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations with collaborators. The meaning of Cloud here is an online data center. It is like a gigantic server that allows any Google Drive user to access any information that they have created from any computer with Internet access anywhere in the world. It is clean and safer.
Quite obviously, teachers as professionals can use Google Drive to safely store all their teaching files and teaching resources while using all Google applications available as teaching tools. The other thing that is essential to have Google Drive is to have a Gmail account. Now, creating a G-mail account is very simple and it takes a few minutes to do so. If you don't have one, please do so by going to [www.gmail.com] and create one. Once you create a Gmail account and you are signed in, you are likely to see two welcoming emails from Google. Now, you are ready to use your email as a communicative tool with colleagues, administrators or parents.
With that in mind, as long as you have your Google account, your Google Drive is available to you with a free storage of fifteen (15) Gigabytes shared with the other Google applications. For more storage on the Cloud, a small fee can be applicable. For your Google Drive to be found, there are two ways that you can follow to access it. The first way is through the G-mail interface. When one signs in to Google G mail account, on the top right corner of the page, one should see an icon with nine [9]tiny squares that represent Google Apps. It is also called a waffle.
Per se, if one would click on that waffle (9-square icon), a small window would drop down revealing some Google Apps. Among those Apps, one can clearly see an icon named Drive that is the doorway to your Google drive interface. The second way to access Google Drive is simply by typing [drive.google.com]. If one is already logged in to G-mail, the Google Drive platform will show up but if not, one will be invited to sign in with username and password.
Viewed in this way, If this is the first time using Google Drive, all one can see is a blank page with a menu to the left of the page. The most important button that one needs to pay attention to is the button with the plus sign and the word New on it. Clicking on the button New allows users to see a drop menu saying Folder, File upload, Folder upload and several Google applications such as Google Docs, Google Sheets, Google Slides and more applications like Google Forms, Google Drawings, Google Map and Google Sites.
Needless to say, the best way to use Google Drive effectively is to stay organized using the folder button because Google users can easily get overwhelmed if they keep creating documents, sheets and slides and adding them to the list. Creating folders and naming them based on one's needs would make life much easier. In fact, one best way to stay organized is to create folders from A to Z and then save any document within those folders based on the first letter of its name. Teaching Folders can go from Lesson Plans to Weekly, Monthly and Yearly Planning as well as Behavior Plan, Grading Sheets, Assessment, Resources, Books, Listening Skill, Speaking Skill, Reading Skills, Writing Skills, Games, Audio, Videos and more.
More likely, the other exciting news about Google Drive is that it allows its users to upload via File upload or Folder upload any old folders or lesson plan documents, Excel sheets or PowerPoint presentations and be in a safer environment. In this way, one doesn't have to worry about losing any file in case there is an issue with the computer or any other storage tool like flash drive. In addition to all that has been mentioned about Google Drive, one can find other benefits such as team collaboration synchronously with any type of file, drag and drop uploads, starred folders and files, and automatically convert uploaded files to Google Docs editor format as well as view any type of file.
Several points could be concluded about Google Drive which operates better and smoothly with Google Chrome browser like Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari on Mac Computer. Also, Google Drive is not only operable on desktop computers or laptops but it can be downloaded and used on iPad, Tablets and Smartphones using either ITunes or Google Play. I am not sure how comfortable you feel using these mobile devices but I personally prefer to manage Google Drive on an iPad as a mobile device.
Over- all, in the past few years, Google has made tremendous improvements with Google Drive especially in terms of safety, synchronicity and search within its platform making it very friendly and smooth in use and almost free of major glitches compared to OneDrive that is a Microsoft product.
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